Faculty Spotlight: Christine Henry and Andrea Smith
What do historic preservation and podcasting have in common? A love for storytelling! This month’s faculty spotlight features two professors from the Historic Preservation department, Dr. Christine Henry and Dr. Andrea Smith, who are making history come alive—both in the classroom and through their own podcast. In their own unique style, they are giving us their faculty spotlight answers in podcast form. Check out Faculty Spotlight link to hear them discuss why preservation matters, share hands-on experiences from the field, talk about their dream course (it involves an RV), and give advice to students interested in the field.
Faculty Pedagogy Colloquium (RSVP form)
“The ‘Elements’ of Success: Building Comfort and Skill in Mathematics for Future Science Courses” with Leanna Giancarlo, Associate Professor-Chemistry & Physics and Kelly Perkins, Senior Lecturer-Mathematics
Wednesday, April 9th (rescheduled from our February snow day)
3:00 – 4:00 PM in Seacobeck 139
This presentation will discuss supporting students interested in science careers in terms of their math and science preparation by providing more options for a first course (pathway) in science/math. In particular, we will describe the implementation of changes in the MATH 120 curriculum to correlate with preparing future science majors for their General Chemistry coursework. Strategies employed in MATH 120 and CHEM 101, an existing pathway course, will be compared in terms of the potential for successful trajectories to later science courses.
Summer 2025 Small Teaching Grants
The Center for Teaching is pleased to announce small summer teaching grants for full-time teaching faculty to support course development and revisions. Fifteen $1000 grants are available. Faculty should consult their inboxes for details. Please reach out to the Center for Teaching with questions.
SAVE THE DATE: May Teaching and Learning Day
Plan to join us on Tuesday, May 13th from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM for Teaching and Learning Day! Plans are being finalized for concurrent sessions filled with ideas to bring new energy to your fall classes. The full schedule and registration will be in your inbox on Friday, April 18th.
SAVE THE DATE: May Writing Retreat
The Book Authors Group is sponsoring a writing retreat on Wednesday, May 14th from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM in Seacobeck Hall. Group and individual writing spaces will be available as well as an all-day coffee/tea and snack buffet. Any and all writing projects are welcome–book chapters, articles, FAARs, dissertations, grant proposals, you name it! Registration will be available on the Teaching and Learning Day RSVP forms going out in two weeks, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Faculty Events Calendar
Tired of trying to find CfT and partner event details in your inbox? Can’t remember if a workshop is in Seacobeck or the HCC? CfT has a solution for you!
CfT is soft-launching a professional development calendar starting this month with a full roll-out beginning in August. The calendar will be a central location for speakers, workshops, and presentations. You can also use the calendar for planning events–no more emailing the Center for Teaching wondering if your event or speaker clashes with something on the schedule. Bookmark the site and see what is still coming up this semester. You can also subscribe through your Outlook or personal online calendar. Details about how to get YOUR event on the calendar will be distributed this August.
Provost AI Learning Excellence Grant
Feedback sessions must be completed by Friday, April 17th! The following group peer feedback sessions are scheduled and you do not need register in advance:
- April 8, 4:00 – 5:00 PM (Seacobeck 128)
- April 9, 12:00 – 1:00 PM (Seacobeck 151)
- April 10, 12:30 -1:30 PM (Seacobeck 151)
- April 17, 12:30 – 1:30 PM (Seacobeck 151)
If you cannot make a group peer feedback session, please schedule a consultation using our Bookings link.
All grant projects must be submitted by Friday, April 25th using the submission form. If you have questions, please reach out!
Other CfT Happenings…
- New Faculty Monthly Meetup: Wednesday, April 9th at 4:00 PM in Seacobeck 151 (focus: advising)
- NEST: Friday, April 18th in Farmer Hall, CDS Conference Room. Contact Elizabeth for time and more details
- UMW NEH AI Grant Cohort: Check your email next week–we will be rescheduling our next cohort meeting!
- Book Author Group: Every Friday at 3:30 PM via Zoom. Contact Brenta Blevins or Zach Whalen with questions or for the meeting link.
- CfT Consultations: If you would like to schedule a 30-minute session (in-person or virtual) to discuss teaching solutions and ideas, use the online consult scheduler. If you can’t find a day/time that works with your schedule, reach out to CfT directly and we’ll be happy to work with you.