Faculty Success team members have been hard at work in the new year. Singer David Bowie, ahead of his time in many ways, was no doubt channeling his inner-Nostradamus when he predicted what 2024 would hold for us: “Changes”!
Some of the changes are in the Instructional Resource Center (IRC). For example, our faculty computer lab, which was not seeing much use, is being converted into a multi-use meeting space that will be great for collaborating with a small team of fellow instructors or researchers or consulting with an instructional designer. We are also developing a dedicated VR room where faculty can incorporate simulations into their courses. And if you need a quiet area with controlled lighting to record high quality content, you might consider booking time in our studio. Information to help you imagine the possibilities and reserve these spaces will be posted soon on our website.
If you haven’t stopped by IRC lately, we are coming to you! We’re preparing a roadshow to visit each college and spread the word about the range of resources we offer faculty. We have a stellar roster of instructional designers who can help you improve the inclusivity and accessibility of your course content, implement best practices like Universal Design for Learning, and restructure your workflow for maximum impact on student success.
Over the longer term, we will seek your input on changes to our current Center for Faculty Development (CFD) and eCampus programs. We are in the process of drafting a comprehensive faculty development experiences and needs survey to solicit feedback on which programs interest you most and suggestions for future content and support. Your feedback will be a helpful foundation for the next leader of the CFD, a search that we will launch this semester.
In the meantime, we’re onboarding two new CFD Faculty in Residence, Tanya Bakhru and ren williams. These two experienced colleagues will facilitate our ongoing workshops and develop new programs that speak to different career paths and interests. Both are available for individual consultations, offering guidance for whatever point in your career you find yourself. You can read more about them below.
Earlier this week, in my welcoming remarks at the Course Prep Marathon, I described how frequently I finished things last minute when I was a faculty member. For example, I would make the final edits to my syllabus with just enough time to print the copies and sprint to the first class meeting. I started many semesters already feeling breathless. But what distinguishes a marathon is how far in advance you need to prepare. Because you’ve trained so intensively, on the day of the race you can breathe more steadily, knowing you have the physical and mental resources to reach the finish line.
That is what we are doing here in Faculty Success: implementing changes to ensure the ongoing impact and reach of CFD and eCampus. We look forward to your partnership on the work ahead!
Sincerely,
Magdalena L. Barrera
Vice Provost for Faculty Success
