TAA Joins AAC&U Public Statement on ‘Call for Constructive Engagement’

TAA Executive Director Kim Pawlak has signed a statement, recently released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), from numerous college and university presidents and leaders of scholarly societies in response to ongoing actions by the federal government affecting higher education.

The educational and nonprofit leaders were convened by AAC&U and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The statement, titled “A Call for Constructive Engagement,” marks the first time current presidents have spoken out collectively in large numbers about these issues. “We speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education,” the statement says.

Charles ‘Chuck’ Corbin Inducted into TAA Council of Fellows

Health and physical education textbook author Charles “Chuck” Corbin was inducted into the TAA Council of Fellows, which recognizes distinguished authors who have a long record of successful publishing. Any author whose textbook or other instructional and academic works have established his/her presence in scholarly publishing over time and who has been innovative in the presentation of material, is qualified for nomination into the TAA Council of Fellows. Induction into the Council of Fellows is the premier honor bestowed by TAA.

On behalf of the association and its Awards Committee, TAA Board President Paul Krieger, said: “I extend our warmest congratulations on your induction into the 2025 TAA Council of Fellows. This well-deserved honor recognizes not only your extraordinary accomplishments as an author, educator, and scholar but also your deep and longstanding contributions to the TAA community. Your body of work exemplifies the values and mission of TAA. It is our honor to recognize you with this distinction, and we thank you for the legacy you continue to build.”

Christine Harrington Receives 2025 TAA Author Mentoring Award

Dr. Christine Harrington, a professor in the Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership and Policy at Morgan State University, has been awarded a 2025 Author Mentoring Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA).

TAA’s Authoring Mentoring Award is given to a teacher, administrator, fellow author, or other professional colleague who takes extraordinary care to encourage and advise earlier career authors.

On behalf of the association and its Awards Committee, TAA Board President Paul Krieger, said: “This honor is a testament to your unwavering dedication to mentoring emerging scholars, your generous spirit in sharing knowledge and experience, and your tireless efforts to amplify diverse voices in academic publishing.

Steven Barkan Receives 2025 TAA Social Justice Award

Steven Barkan, textbook author and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Maine, has been awarded a 2025 TAA Social Justice Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA).

TAA’s Social Justice Award recognizes individuals that make a significant contribution to authoring or educating academic authors in social justice, human rights, and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion. Strong nominees have the following characteristics: have authored a work or works that address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a meaningful way or have provided trainings or other efforts to improve how academic authors address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their writing.