73rd Focus Group Leaders
During the conference, student delegates are assigned to a “focus group.” Essentially, this is a cohort of other student delegates led by current Texas A&M Faculty and Staff. In these cohorts, you will discuss, team-build, and build long-lasting bonds and relationships as you head into the Fall Semester.
Please read all about our esteemed Focus Group Leaders listed below.
Dr. Elizabeth Robinson
Dr. Robinson is an Instructional Professor, has been on faculty since 1995, and has served the interests of faculty since 2004, when she was one of the faculty members who reactivated the University Committee for the Status of Academic Professional Track Faculty. She was on the committee until 2024, serving as Secretary from 2004-2014. As a member of this committee, she was involved in drafting the university policy that created the second APT track (Instructional/Clinical/Research Professor) that is now in use at TAMU. She served on ad hoc committees at both the department and college levels that revised department and college bylaws after the formation of the second APT faculty track. She has also served on the Center for Teaching Excellence Faculty Student Advisory Board, on the Review Panel for the Faculty Fellow for Innovation in High-Impact Learning, on the Dean of Faculty’s Fair and Transparent Career Progression for Academic Professional Track (APT) Task Force, and as a University Level Reader for APT Promotions. In addition to regularly serving on most departmental standing committees, she consistently serves on promotion committees for APT faculty. She served on the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Advisory Committee for the Promotion of APT Faculty (DAC-APT), having served on the same committee in the College of Liberal Arts. She also served on the AFS Distinguished Achievement Award for Individual Student Engagement Selection Committee and served as a College of Arts and Sciences representative on the Faculty Senate. Most importantly, she is a dedicated instructor, having designed multiple English courses, advised dozens of Undergraduate Thesis projects and honors contracts, and served on MA committees. She has mentored Graduate Assistant Teachers and has served as a Presenter at the Humanities Texas Summer Teaching Institute, in which she worked with Jr. High and High School English Teachers. She is the founding advisor of a student group, the Aggie Kolbitar Society, and has served as a Focus Group Leader for the MSC Fall Leadership Conference. She has won several teaching awards, including two Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Awards, and has been honored as both a Fish Camp and T-Camp namesake. She is passionate about teaching Aggies and about serving Texas A&M faculty.
Dr. Timothy Powers
Dr. Timothy Powers serves as Assistant Vice President & Chief of Staff to the Provost where he is primarily responsible for providing oversight of university priorities assigned to the Office of the Provost, coordinating and executing division initiatives, and supporting the Provost in the day-to-day functions of the office
Dr. Powers previously served as Director of the Aggie Honor System Office at Texas A&M University from 2011 until 2022. As Director, Dr. Powers developed and led initiatives focused on elevating faculty and student awareness of academic integrity and the Aggie Code of Honor. Prior to these roles, he served as the Associate Director for residence life at Baylor University from 2006 to 2011. As an undergraduate at Texas A&M, Dr. Powers served as a member of the Corps of Cadets, Commanding Officer for Squadron 2, and a Ross Volunteer.
He received an individual Traditions of Excellence Award from the Office of the Provost in 2015 and the Team Award for Traditions of Excellence in 2019. His work with students has been recognized with awards from student governments at multiple universities, student organizations, and as a Fish Camp Namesake in 2016.
Dr. Powers earned his undergraduate degree in agricultural systems management from Texas A&M in 2001 and a master’s degree in educational administration from Baylor in 2006. He received a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Texas A&M in 2020.