LAND GRANT PROGRAM
400 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40601 kysu.edu/ag | @kysuag
January 29, 2021
Dear Dr. Yates:
I have carefully reviewed the dossier from Dr. Kenneth Semmens, as well as The School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Studies Unit Tenure and Promotion Committee and Chair of the School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Studies recommendations. My evaluation is also based on the guidelines in the Faculty Handbook section 2.6-2.7 and Appendix K. I concur with the findings of the Committee and the Chair and strongly recommend Dr. Kenneth Semmens for tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.
Dr. Semmens has a Ph.D. in Fisheries from Auburn University which is an appropriate terminal degree for the School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Studies in which he teaches, conducts research, and provides outreach to the public. Dr. Semmens has been employed by KSU in the Land Grant Program since 2015 on a tenure track appointment. This review focuses on his accomplishments following the Faculty Handbook and Appendix K for Land Grant Personnel which describes the nature of positions having research and or Extension and Teaching responsibilities. Dr. Semmens has acquired five years of research and teaching experience. Dr. Semmen's assigned responsibilities have been in research (approximately 75%) and teaching (approximately 25%).
In terms of teaching, Dr. Semmens’ dossier has strong evidence that he has developed course materials and taught a number of courses. He has taught AQU 412/512 Fish Morphology and Physiology and co-taught AQU 428/528 Fish Reproduction, and he developed and teaches a dual credit course for KSU undergraduates and high school students entitled AQU 201 Fisheries for an Educated Consumer. He has also served as a major advisor for five graduate students, served on advising committees for 19 graduate students, and has served as an advisor to AFE Bachelor’s track Students in the Aquaculture Track. He has also mentored seven undergraduate students in AFE 31 Practicum I and AFE 411 Practicum II. Student evaluations have been very positive for Dr. Semmens’ courses.
In terms of scholarly and creative activity, Dr. Semmens has an excellent research record and has published nine peer reviewed articles, two book chapters, and many research presentations since his appointment to KSU. For example, he published articles, or had accepted, entitled "Year-Round Lettuce Production in a Flow-Through Aquaponic System" and "Evaluation of Density for Holding Live Food Fish in Small Recirculating Aquaculture Systems." These articles were published in internationally respected Journals. Additionally, Dr. Semmens has written and received four grants for over $1.2 million in extramural funding.