Last week’s whirlwind reminded me of a line from a Pearl Jam song: “No matter how cold the winter, there’s a springtime ahead.” With spring break just two weeks away, warmer days and a well-earned pause from classes are on the horizon.
One thing that has made this winter energizing is hearing about your pedagogical experiments—especially with generative AI. It’s inspiring to see so many creative approaches to teaching take shape, and I feel lucky to work alongside such incredible educators.
As we near the midpoint of the semester, now is a great time to pause for reflection and recalibration. Attend Morning Blend to brainstorm ways to gather midterm feedback from your students or consider joining colleagues in the upcoming writing challenge. Read on for full details on events happening this week. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Faculty Hub for support — we are eager to collaborate with you.
As we welcome week five of the spring semester and Valentine’s Day, the Faculty Hub is here to provide support and opportunities for growth, connection, and reflection. Whether you’re looking to enhance your teaching practices, connect with colleagues, or explore new professional development resources, we’ve got a variety of events and workshops to help you continue thriving. Please keep reading for more details, and we hope you find something that enriches your semester.
We have started a new puzzle in the spirit of the spring-like weather. Stop by the touchdown table when you have a minute to help get it started. Who knows? You might make a connection with a colleague that sparks a new idea. Please keep reading to give us feedback on other ways you might like to build community. (Thanks to Jen Thomas, expert puzzler and Book Arts Program Director, for loaning us this puzzle!)
Happy Week 2! As the initial burst of introductions and first assignments settles, this is a great time to refine your plans, explore new ideas, and connect with resources to support your teaching and scholarship. The Faculty Hub is here to collaborate with you—whether you’re looking for fresh strategies to enhance your teaching, support for advancing your research, or opportunities to connect and share ideas with colleagues.
It’s been an unusual start to the semester, but we’re here to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. As we welcome back our students, we’re excited to offer resources, events, and support to keep you inspired and on track.
Happy New Year, and welcome back! Our new weekly update, This Week in the Faculty Hub, will keep you informed and inspired as you prepare for classes and settle back into campus life. In this streamlined format, you’ll find key updates, resources, and events designed to support your teaching and scholarship. Here’s to the start of a great semester!
As the semester winds down on campus, the Faculty Hub is gearing up with programs, events, and opportunities for community building to help you through the final stretch before winter break. A list of all events is below. Keep reading for more details; we hope you find something helpful.
As the semester picks up steam, we know how full your schedules are with classes, grading, and research. Our Halloween newsletter highlights a variety of upcoming events and resources designed to support you during this busy time. We hope you find something of interest – perhaps a “treat” amidst the autumn whirlwind!
The 2024 U.S. presidential elections are just under three weeks away, and you may be thinking about your role as a professor and how best to support students during this time.
There’s no universal solution to approaching election-related issues in class. Context plays a vital role, with considerations like the courses you’re teaching, the dynamics of your class, and your own teaching style all coming into play. However, we know from experience that students often look to faculty members when circumstances outside of the classroom may be affecting the classroom experience. Research suggests that students generally appreciate when professors address major local and global events rather than remain silent (Houston & DiPietro, 2007).
That being said, your approach to the upcoming elections doesn’t have to take the shape of a traditional in-class discussion. What’s more, you don’t have to wait until after the elections to acknowledge the current context. In fact, interactions and conversations after the elections will likely be much more productive if you prepare for them beforehand.
Keeping these things in mind, I’m sending along some suggestions and resources you might wish to explore.
To prepare your students for the coming weeks:
If you feel ready to discuss the elections with your students before or afterward:
Finally, you may be processing your own feelings during this period as you carry the emotional weight of supporting your students. If you find yourself needing support, you could explore the resources available on HR’s Employee Well-Being site.
Please read on for additional offerings.
Resources
For those facilitating discussions on the elections, you might explore some or all of the following:
Offerings from the Faculty Hub and Others
Tipsheets:
Events:
