Updates in Academic Affairs: April 25, 2017

In this edition, the Office of Faculty Development announces a two-day seminar on teaching and promoting inclusivity; a new colleague will soon join the Office of Institutional Effectiveness; and the provost recognizes faculty and staff who were celebrated this academic year for excellence in areas of expertise and service.

June seminar offers strategies on teaching, promoting inclusivity

The Office of Faculty Development will offer a two-day seminar in June providing instructors with strategies for teaching and promoting inclusivity in classrooms and academic departments. The seminar will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, June 13-14, in the Fetzer Center.

Day one of the seminar focuses on creating safe spaces for diverse learners in the classroom. Participants will learn about pedagogical strategies to support students from various backgrounds. The information that will be offered is relevant for faculty members teaching in a variety of fields across the liberal arts.

Day two of the seminar will focus on safe spaces and support for faculty and instructors, including how to respond to microaggressions and how to build allies across the University. Participants will share experiences and advice on navigating the academy with respect to inclusivity. 

For more information, call the Office of Faculty Development at (269) 387-0732 or visit wmich.edu/facultydevelopment/programs/summerprograms.

Cardoso Reyes to join institutional effectiveness

Adriana Cardoso Reyes will join the Office of Institutional Effectiveness as assistant director of institutional accreditation and planning, effective July 1. Cardoso Reyes currently serves as associate director of the College Assistance Migrant Program in the Division of Multicultural Affairs.

In her new role, Cardoso Reyes will facilitate University compliance with the Higher Learning Commission as well as ongoing strategic planning. Cardoso Reyes earned both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social work from WMU in 2010 and 2006, respectively. She is currently in WMU’s certificate program in higher education and student affairs.

She will replace Brynne Belinger-Rogers, who served as associate director in the office for 10 years.

 

 

2016-17: Another academic year of excellence

by Tim Greene, provost and vice president for academic affairs

As the academic year comes to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your work on behalf of our students, our institution and our community.  Our collective commitment to moving WMU forward as a leader in higher education is reflected in your many accomplishments during the 2016-17 academic year.

I would like to thank the Faculty Senate ad hoc Committee on General Education for its leadership and investment in reviewing and recommending changes to the University’s general education curriculum. We look forward to the implementation of our new program for future generations of Broncos.

We also would like to, once again, recognize the following WMU faculty and staff members who were honored for excellence in their fields of expertise and service at the 2016 Fall Convocation:

• Dr. Howard J. Dooley, Distinguished Service Award
• Amy J. Seth, Distinguished Service Award
• Dr. Jennifer Machiorlatti, Distinguished Teaching Award
• Dr. Lisa Paulius, Distinguished Teaching Award
• Dr. Jessaca Spybrook, Emerging Scholar Award
• Sheila Atherton, Make a Difference Annual Service Award
• Earl Conner, Make a Difference Annual Service Award
• Stacy L. Thinnes, Make a Difference Annual Service Award
• Cynthia A. Town, Make a Difference Annual Service Award

We also would like to congratulate the members of the WMU community who were recognized at the 2017 Spring Convocation in Recognition of Discovery, Diversity and Global Engagement:

• Paul R. Solomon, Award for Teaching Innovation, Extended University Programs
• Dr. Whitney DeCamp, Award for Teaching Innovation, Extended University Programs
• Holly Grieves, Award for Community Engagement, Extended University Programs
• Megan McCoy, Rising Star in Diversity Award, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Intercultural Business Student Association, Trailblazers for Diversity Award, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• James Brand, Excellence in Diversity Award, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Jon Curtis, Excellence in Diversity Award, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Dr. Zahir Quareshi, Global Engagement Award, Haenicke Institute for Global Education
• Ann Ganz, Global Engagement Award, Haenicke Institute for Global Education
• Dr. James Henry, Distinguished Grant Award, Office of the Vice President for Research
• Dr. Robert Bensley, Distinguished Grant Award, Office of the Vice President for Research

We look forward to the 2017 Fall Convocation and State of the University address as well as the 2018 Spring Convocation. We will again honor and recognize our faculty and staff colleagues for their continued excellence and commitment to our campus community. We hope you will be able to join us for these annual celebrations. They are planned for the following dates and locations:

2017 Fall Convocation and State of the University address, 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 6, Bernhard Center

2018 Spring Convocation and awards, 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, Fetzer Center

Although I am not able to list or acknowledge every department, unit and individual by name, please know how grateful I am to you all for your work to advance our mission. 

On Aug. 1, we welcome our ninth president, Dr. Edward B. Montgomery. I look forward to working with him as we begin a new era at WMU. I have enjoyed working with President John Dunn, and join the campus community in thanking him for his leadership over the last decade.

We plan to provide several of our Updates in Academic Affairs newsletters during the summer months to keep the campus community informed of the progress on several continuing projects. Please accept my best wishes for a safe and productive summer.