I am very pleased to announce the renewal of Professor Jennifer Farmer’s position of Associate Chair, Undergraduate Student Experience (AC-UGSE) for a 3-year term from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. This is a re-appointment for Jennifer who has served as AC-UGSE for the past three years (2022 to 2025).
Jennifer joined the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry in 2016 as a teaching-stream faculty member, having earned her PhD in chemistry from York University in 2015. With a research background in organic chemistry and method development, she draws on her scientific expertise to inform and enrich her approach to teaching and curriculum design in chemical and engineering education. As an instructor, Jennifer has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to enriching the undergraduate student experience. Her innovative and student-centred teaching has earned her multiple accolades, including two departmental teaching awards (Diran Basmadjian Teacher of the Year for Small Classes in 2018 and 2023), the prestigious Wighton Fellowship in 2024, and the Faculty Teaching Award in 2025. These honours reflect her growing leadership in the field of chemical engineering education. As Associate Chair, Undergraduate Student Experience, Jennifer is recognized for her supportive approach in the classroom, strong advocacy for students, and dedication to continuous improvement of the learning environment. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the undergraduate program and actively collaborates with student groups focused on sustainability, chemical processes, and community engagement.
In this role, Jennifer will continue to champion an exceptional undergraduate experience, with a renewed emphasis on supporting first-year students, while overseeing the operation of undergraduate student support services. In addition, she will support the planning of undergraduate laboratory renovations as part of the Dean’s COMET initiative. Jennifer will serve on the Faculty’s Scholarships and Awards Committee and will work closely with the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Curriculum Development on curriculum renewal initiatives, as well as with the Chair of the Department’s Undergraduate Admissions Committee and the Chair of the Undergraduate Recruitment and Outreach Committee on admissions and recruitment matters.
Please join me in thanking Jennifer for taking on this important role within our Department.
Ramin Farnood, PhD, PEng
Professor and Chair
Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry
Michael E. Charles Chair in Chemical Engineering
University of Toronto