Author: Jane Bise

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes! Most K-12 students in the area are back in school this week. Adorable back-to-school photos will flood social media, marking the beginning of a new school year. (My son is a senior this year, what???) Our students will follow next week and turn our currently quiet campus into a cacophony of learning. It is a time of change in many ways. Hopefully, some of our upcoming sessions can help you with any changes you might be considering this semester, such as revising your syllabus, exploring how to use generative AI in your classroom, and/or rethinking how you grade.

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As summer draws to a close, you may (understandably!) be mourning the end of rest, travel, family time, or focused research time, but I hope that the impending start of the semester also brings with it at least a glimmer of joy and excitement. Students often walk into the first week of classes full of anticipation, curiosity, and likely a bit of trepidation. Even after all these years teaching, the same is true for me, too! So, as you begin to shift your attention to course planning more fully, I have an invitation for you: How might you design your courses–or at least those first few days–to harness your students’ curiosity, to share your own excitement for the content of your course, and to quell any nervousness that your students (or you!) might bring with them into your class?

If you are looking for inspiration or just want to work on prepping your fall courses in community with others, we hope you’ll stop by the Faculty Hub to attend one of our upcoming pre-semester events or simply to grab a snack and find a welcoming place to work. Sometimes, attending a teaching workshop or swapping ideas with colleagues has a way of sparking creativity and reminding us why we wanted to teach a particular course in the first place.

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Not so fast! Classes aren’t in session just yet, so we hope you’re still enjoying summer as much as possible and not feeling the full weight of the August Awfulies (…doesn’t quite have the same ring as the Sunday Scaries, but you get it). With any luck, you still have some bright plans ahead and plenty of time for them before summer officially comes to a close.

If your brain is already shifting into fall mode (as it likely did weeks ago), take a look at the Faculty Hub’s upcoming workshops. We have a full slate of back-to-school programming designed to ease your transition, with sessions to support your teaching, planning, and peace of mind. We’re looking forward to starting the semester with you!

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It happens every year, but lately, it feels like it’s happening faster—the endless summer that never quite materializes. Somehow, it’s already July. And that means August is just around the corner. Students will be back. Classes will begin. Let’s not stress—let’s get ready.

One of the biggest questions we continue to hear from faculty is: How do I adapt my teaching in the age of generative AI?

We don’t have all the solutions, but we are here to help you navigate the change. This newsletter contains both resources and professional development opportunities designed to meet you where you are in your teaching journey.

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Here at the Faculty Hub, we’re settling into the rhythms of summer–reflecting on the past year and preparing for the one to come. We hope that you’ve also made the transition to summer mode–whatever that looks like for you. Our space remains open all summer, and we’re available for consultations and coaching, so please don’t hesitate to connect with us in person or virtually if we can be of help. – Kitty

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With exam week behind us and grades submitted, summer has officially arrived on campus. This time of year brings a special kind of calm—the quiet walkways and open spaces create a peaceful, reflective atmosphere that’s easy to appreciate. As we ease into the slower pace of the season, the Faculty Hub Newsletter will shift to a monthly schedule for the summer.

Though classes are no longer in session, the Faculty Hub remains open throughout the summer. We invite you to take advantage of the programs and resources we have available, and we look forward to staying connected in this more relaxed cadence. – Gabriel

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In the fall of 2016, I enrolled in the Master of Nonprofit Studies program here at UR. I planned to finish in three years. In 2018, my dad became ill, so I took a leave of absence that ended up being longer than intended. He passed away, then COVID hit. I decided to reapply to make good use of my time at home. I made it to my capstone in the spring of 2024. Then my mom had serious health issues, and I had to withdraw. Finally, in the fall of 2024, I was able to complete my capstone and will officially graduate this coming Saturday🎉. Life can get in the way of your best laid plans, but if you stick with them…you will get there, eventually! Hopefully, some of the offerings below can help you set your course for the summer—even if plans can be disrupted sometimes. – Jane

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One of my favorite events of the year took place this past week – the Boston Marathon. When I ran it in 2017, I honestly didn’t have a very great race. However, it will still be one of the most memorable experiences of my running career. I have never before seen SO MANY spectators lining the street (unbroken for 26.2 miles!) simply to offer cheerful support, encouraging words, and gestures of admiration to complete strangers. As I was riding the metro back to my lodging after the race, the kindness continued–one person offered me their seat, another an unopened bottle of water, and everyone I saw offered a genuine expression of congratulations. Because of the thoughtfulness of others, my not-so-great race was reframed for me, and I left the metro with a feeling of gratitude and pride in what I was able to accomplish. As we near the finish line for another semester, I hope you all experience many moments of collective reflection, kindness, and kudos – from your colleagues, with your students, and for yourself – on what you were able to accomplish and learn from one another this year, even if it was a difficult one. Happy end of the semester–and congratulations! –Kylie

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One of my two favorite things ever recorded for television is the R.E.M. rendition of “Shiny Happy People” for Sesame Street–“Furry Happy Monsters.” I watch it when things feel particularly challenging, because I can’t think of anything more uplifting than Muppets grappling with sadness and coming out on the other side while Michael Stipe jumps up and down singing. I welcome you to watch it and see for yourself how helpful it is. (Unless you’re not an R.E.M. fan. Or a Muppet fan. I get that, too.)

It’s this kind of joy that helps center me and reminds me of the things I love–and why they matter. As the semester wraps up, no matter how trying it has been, I hope you’re able to find that same kind of joy and carry it with you into this final week (!!!!????) of classes. – Ryan

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I was recently coaching my 7-year-old’s baseball game and gave a pregame talk about focus. There’s a lot to keep in mind for the “Mighty Mussels” (a solid team name, but last year’s “Space Cowboys” wins): where to throw the ball on defense, balls and strikes at the plate, and when to run or stay put on the bases.

The game was tied 6–6 with two outs, and we were on defense. I saw my second baseman staring off at another field, hands behind his back, completely zoned out. My instinct was to yell. And okay, I did, but then I felt a little bad. Focus is hard, not just for kids. Lately, I’ve caught myself doing the same thing: sitting at my desk, staring out the window, overwhelmed by the state of the world and/or my end-of-semester to-do list. Maybe you’ve felt it too. If so, I’ll leave you with the words I yelled (LOL) at my second baseman: You got this. Wishing you a focused second-to-last week of the semester! – Andrew

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