Author: Jane Bise

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

Learn more here.

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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The past couple of weeks, I’ve been enjoying the annual bloom of one of my favorite trees, the Eastern Redbud. While you can see their pink flowers almost anywhere in Virginia this time of year, they thrive best as an understory tree, drawing nourishment from the slivers of light that filter through the forest canopy. As we enter into this busy season in challenging times, I hope you’re also finding some slivers of light where you can. Here in the Faculty Hub, we’ve planned a variety of end-of-semester events to help you finish the year strong and prepare for the summer months. You can take a look at the full agenda of upcoming events here. Finally, please help us recognize your hard work at UR during our Faculty Appreciation Days on April 22 and 23. I invite you to sign up on the registration page, and let us know there if you would like a boxed lunch and/or a chair massage. – Kitty Keep perusing here.

With midterms behind us and finals approaching, we find ourselves entering one of the most stressful and demanding periods of the semester, for both faculty and students. As educators, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure of grading, preparing students for finals, and meeting expectations. However, as Cate Denial writes in A Pedagogy of Kindness, “The biggest obstacle to kindness in the classroom is fear – and the antidote is self-knowledge” (100). By cultivating reflection and self-knowledge – both in ourselves and in the students with whom we work – we can create a more mindful and compassionate classroom environment. While we reflect on self-awareness and kindness, we also invite you to consider some of the upcoming events and resources available through the Faculty Hub this week. – Gabriel

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Spring is finally here! As the weather gets warmer, we hope you are finding time to get outside and spread your wings…even if it’s just a quick walk around the lake. And just like spring, the Faculty Hub is brimming with activity and a variety of programming this week and beyond. Find out more here.