Summer Small Teaching Grants: Application Now Open!
Summer Small Teaching Grants support faculty teaching projects leading to transformative learning experiences using evidence-based teaching practices. These grants support ‘small teaching’ steps towards purposeful, sustainable teaching and learning design. Be creative and think about how you can take learning to a new level! Grants may also support Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) projects conducted in your classroom.
The Center for Teaching will be awarding ten $1000 grants for Summer 2026. Funds may be used for material/resource purchases (e.g. books, teaching materials, equipment, transcription services, etc.) or a stipend for the faculty member (note: stipends are taxed). If a faculty team submits a grant application and elects to receive stipends, the funds will be split among the team members.
Please note:
- Summer Small Teaching Grant funds may not be used for student salaries or stipends, food/catering purchases, or travel expenses.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have not received a Summer Small Teaching Grant within the past two years (Summer 2024 and Summer 2025 cycles). This includes individual and team applications.
Applications are due on Friday, April 3rd at 5:00 pm. Grant decisions will be emailed the week of April 20th.
Faculty Pedagogy Colloquium
The final presentations for the 2025-2026 academic year are happening in March and April–join us to hear about great teaching ideas across campus! Remember to RSVP, especially if you wish to reserve a lunch for select presentations.
“Deep Research for Argumentation: Leveraging AI to Transform Evidence-Based Speaking and Learning” with Kaitlyn Haynal (Communication and Digital Studies)
Friday, March 13th from 12:00 – 1:00 PM in Seacobeck 139
How can AI be harnessed to strengthen core learning objectives in the classroom? In this presentation, Dr. Kaitlyn Haynal shares her redesign of a major assignment in COMM 209: Argumentation, where the integration of AI-powered Deep Research tools enhances student learning and practice with debate. By streamlining the research process, students gain more time to focus on evaluating evidence critically, crafting stronger arguments, and practicing the art of debate. This approach re-centers the course toward its core goals, including critical thinking, persuasion, and civic engagement, while modeling innovative ways to integrate AI into the liberal arts classroom.
“Designing Interactive Simulations with Chatbots” with Melissa Wells (Education)
Tuesday, April 7th from 12:30 – 1:30 pm in CRUC 314
RSVP by Tuesday, March 24th at noon to request a lunch.
Come learn about successes and challenges of programming an AI chatbot to give students practice with applying course content! This presentation will include results from Dr. Wells’ Summer 2025 Small Teaching Grant.
“The Impact of Students’ Mindset on Job Search Behaviors” with Samira Fallah (Management and Marketing)
Wednesday, April 15th from 3:00 – 4:00 pm in Seacobeck 151
Searching for a job is often an effort-intensive and stressful process for students making the transition from school to work. Their limited experience and smaller professional networks add to these challenges. In this presentation, Dr. Fallah will share her research findings on how students’ mindsets, specifically their belief that job search skills can be developed through effort and learning, shape their job search behaviors. She will also discuss practical strategies and classroom interventions that educators can use to foster a growth mindset in students, helping them approach the job search process more effectively.
No Time to Read: More Than Words (Chapters 4-6)
After lively conversations in our February meetings, No Time to Read moves into chapters 4-6 of John Warner’s More Than Words for March. Join us for either the online or in-person meetups–and all are welcome, whether you have the book or not!
- Online: Thursday, March 12th at 3:30 pm via Zoom (Facilitator: Kevin Caffrey)
- In-Person: Friday, March 13th at 9:00 am in Seacobeck 128 (Facilitator: Michael Dunn)
CfT March Group Meetings
- NEST: Friday, March 20th at 2:00 pm in HCC 211
- Book Authors Group: Every Friday at 3:30 pm via Zoom (contact Brenta Blevins or Zach Whalen for the link)
- New Faculty Monthly Meetup: Wednesday, March 25th at 4:00 pm in Seacobeck 128
- NOTE: This is a change from our originally scheduled meeting date, March 11th, in order to allow faculty to attend the meeting with President Paino. Contact Elizabeth if you have a conflict with the new date.
Public Square Debate: Is Social Media a Threat to Democracy?
Wednesday, March 11th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm in the CRUC Chandler Ballroom (appetizer and dessert reception to follow)
The Public Square Debate Initiative brings together students from local high schools, 2-year (Germanna) and 4-year (UMW) colleges, and members of the broader community for a respectful exchange of ideas on timely civic questions. Using the Braver Angels debate format, these events invite diverse voices into a shared space—where the goal isn’t to win, but to understand. Public Square debates help participants explore what it means to live in a democracy—and what it takes to strengthen one.
Braver Angels debates are non-competitive and allow everyone in the room to participate. There is no distinction between the speakers and the audience. The debates are run by a trained chair using a light parliamentary format that allows for everyone to have a chance to speak. The UMW/GCC debate will be chaired by an experienced chair from the College Debates and Discourse Alliance.
Braver Angels debates can be scaled to a classroom setting. If you are looking for new ways to engage students in discussion, come out to see (or join!) the debate on March 11th. The Center for Teaching and campus partners will be happy to help you brainstorm incorporation of the Braver Angels framework into your courses.
The Public Square Debate initiative is a partnership among VA250, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Braver Angels, and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), which houses the College Debates & Discourse Alliance.
News from the Research and Creativity Collaborative
We are in full planning mode for some exciting upcoming programs and events.
Symposia Season
March starts our symposia season, kicked off by the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Symposium on March 25, 2026 from 4-6pm in Lee Hall 411. Proposals for student presentations due March 13 by 5pm to Dr. Kate Haffey.
Research & Creativity Day Symposium is April 24th. To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we are planning a week of activities this year, featuring special events, departmental symposia, and culminating in the oral and poster sessions held in the HCC on the last Friday of classes. Registration will open April 1, and continue through April 15.
Learn about these and other events on the Research and Creativity Collaborative website!
Summer Research Programs
We are excitedly planning for our two summer research programs. The Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Summer Institute runs from May 18 – June 17. The Irene Piscopo Rodgers Summer Science Institute runs from May 18 – July 22.
Piscopo Rodgers Science Fellows
A group of dedicated science faculty developed plans for this comprehensive four-year program that jump starts students in science research from their first semester and continues to support them throughout their four years at UMW. We are recruiting our first cohort of Piscopo Rodgers Science Fellows and plan to welcome 15 new first year students this fall. Read about the program on the Piscopo Rodgers Science Fellows website.
See your students featured on the Beyond the Classroom blog. Read posts on student work in Spanish and biomedical science:
- “Basque Loan Words”
- “Wanted: Dead and Immunogenic”
Submit a brief blurb and some photos of your research students in action today!
And as always, browse the Research and Creativity Collaborative website for more news, resources for faculty and students, as well as important announcements, dates and deadlines. Contact Betsy Lewis (elewis@umw.edu) to answer your questions and share your ideas!
We know it’s a busy month with the return from Spring Break and the start of preregistration advising. Do not hesitate to reach out to the Center for Teaching if you need ideas or strategies to make the classroom part of your life manageable in the weeks ahead. We will be back on Friday, April 3rd with news about May Teaching and Learning Days and opportunities for summer learning!