Events and Opportunities

Each fall, the Office of Faculty Development offers a New Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Training (GTA) session as part of the required Graduate College GA Orientation. The training supports new GTAs in planning initial interactions in their classrooms or other learning spaces, engaging effectively with their lead faculty instructors, and connecting with experienced teachers and graduate students on campus. The virtual session is held on Monday, Aug. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon. Contact the Graduate College for more information.

Community-focused |  Scholarly Productivity | Virtual  |  Launches Sept. 9

 Join the virtual Weekly Write program, designed to foster a supportive writing environment and community for scholars at any stage in their careers working on publications and projects. These are accountability groups, not peer-review sessions, focused on supporting individuals’ writing processes, goals, and productivity. Participants meet weekly, via Webex for uninterrupted writing time. Each session includes a brief check-in, two hours of focused work, and a closing reflection. Facilitators provide structure, referrals to resources, and the occasional pep talk. Faculty, instructors, and staff welcome. 

Meeting virtually via Webex in the fall from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, runs Sept. 9 through Dec. 9. Commit to as many sessions as you can!  Community launches on Sept. 9, but writers are welcome to join later. For questions, contact Dr. LaSonja Roberts, Associate Professor, and host of the Weekly Write.

Submit your interest for the OFD Weekly Write by Monday, Sept. 7 

Series | Virtual via Teams | Student learning| Ethical Practice | Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 6

You are invited to explore purposeful integration and managing AI use, student learning, and ethical practice by participating in the Fall 2026 AI Book Club, featuring The Science of Learning Meets AI: A Practical Faculty Guide to Purposeful Integration, Student Engagement, and Ethical Practice by Lewis D. Ludwig and Todd D. Zakrajsek (1st Edition, 2026).   Participants will engage in three virtual book club meetings (Sept.-Nov.) with faculty from Illinois State University and Western Michigan University. The series closes with a panel discussion. The first 10 to register will get a complimentary copy of the book.  The Science of Learning Meets AI is available as an eBook from WMU Library.  Book club meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams. 

• Fridays, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, and Nov. 6, 11 a.m. to noon  

• Final Faculty panel: Friday, Nov. 6, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

AI Book Club information and sign-up

For questions, contact Katie Holland, OFD STEM Faculty Fellow

Cohort program | Six in-person sessions from Sept. to April | Leadership development

Open to tenured faculty and full-time administrative or advanced professional staff with demonstrated leadership potential to explore leadership potential, gain insight into WMU’s culture and systems, and build a supportive cross-campus network. Six sessions meet across the year.  

Explore more information about the Academic Leadership Academy and submit your application by Sept. 11.

Cohort program | Fall & Spring sessions| Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

New and pre-tenure faculty are encouraged to apply for the 2026–27 Early Career Faculty Seminar (ECFS), a year-long, thematic program designed to support early-career faculty in building a strong foundation for success. Through monthly sessions featuring faculty colleagues and university leaders, participants will gain clarity on promotion and tenure expectations, develop strategies for teaching excellence and scholarly productivity, and build a supportive cross-disciplinary peer network. Fall sessions will be held in person on the WMU main campus, and Spring sessions will be held virtually.

• Fall 2026 sessions held in person on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 16, Oct. 14, Nov. 11, and Dec. 9, 2026.
• Spring 2027 sessions held virtually via Webex on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 17, and April 14, 2027.

For questions, contact Dr. L. Lusike Mukhongo, OFD Associate Director.

Explore more information about ECFS and sign up by Sept. 11

Session | Fall 2026 |  Virtual via Webex | Thursday, Sept. 24, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Preparing for the Oct. 15 tenure and promotion portfolio deadline? Join the Office of Faculty Development and session facilitator Dr. Lofty Durham, Professor of Theatre, for a 90-minute session focused on developing the personal narrative portion of your portfolio. This session is designed to provide motivation and practical strategies for telling the story of your work across teaching, scholarship/creative activity, and service. Participants will have time to reflect on their own materials, consider ways to highlight accomplishments and impact, and connect with colleagues.  

For questions, contact the Office of Faculty Development

Sign up for the Crafting Your Personal Narrative T & P session  

 *This session focuses on narrative development. Questions about tenure and promotion policies, contractual requirements, or formal review processes should be directed to the appropriate AAUP or academic resources. 

Session | Thursday, Sept. 24 | 12:30 to 1 p.m. | Virtual via Webex

You are invited to explore practical applications of AI for large-lecture courses. While AI offers new opportunities and possibilities for teaching, effective implementation requires thoughtful planning and realistic expectations. In this session, we’ll explore strategies, challenges, and resources to help faculty who are either integrating AI into large lectures as well as those currently managing a large-lecture class in the AI era, while keeping both instructors and students at the center of the learning experience. Hosted by the Office of Faculty Development AI Desk.

Sign up for AI in Large Lecture Courses session 

The Functional Course Design Endorsement is a semester-long program open to any WMU board-appointed faculty member or instructor of record who is teaching, or plans to teach, a course within the next year. Come work alongside instructional designers and faculty peers in a collaborative setting where you will focus on designing or redesigning a course using a human-centered, concept-focused approach that prioritizes accessibility, alignment, and learner flexibility across any modality.

The program meets in person seven times throughout the semester, from 9 a.m. to noon, on Fridays: September 25, October 2, 9, and 16, October 30, November 6, and November 20. Upon successful completion, participants receive a WMU Endorsement Certificate in Functional Course Design. Registration closes September 18. Seats are limited!

Complete the Functional Course Design Endorsement Registration Form to sign up!

When discussing the most useful resources they have encountered, GTAs consistently describe support from peers and faculty mentors:  the GTA Learning Community Fellowship program is meant to enhance these kinds of mentoring communities across campus. Participants will earn a $300 scholarship as they design and implement research-driven pedagogy projects that use their discipline-specific expertise to enhance teaching and learning in their communities.  

Applications due Sept. 25

Cohort recognition opportunity | 2026–27 | Apply by Monday, Sept. 28

The Office of Faculty Development (OFD) invites faculty and instructors to apply for the 2026–27 AI Faculty Scholars Program, a year-long faculty development opportunity that explores evidence-based, ethical, and innovative AI adoption in teaching and research. The program includes two cohorts: Teaching Innovation Scholars (implement and evaluate innovative AI teaching and learning practices) and AI Research Scholars (conduct research and produce scholarly work on AI and the science of learning). Selected scholars will participate in a faculty learning community and present to the campus community. Eight awards available (four per cohort).

For questions, contact Dr. L. Lusike Mukhongo, Associate Director, OFD

Explore information and apply for the AI Faculty Scholars program by Sept.28

Session | Thursday, Oct. 29 | 12:30 to 1 p.m. | Virtual via Webex

An interactive workshop exploring the opportunities, challenges, and emerging practices of AI in higher education. This session will examine how AI is transforming teaching, learning, and research in higher education. Participants will explore various AI scenarios in teaching and research, identify practical applications, and discuss strategies for responsible AI use. The workshop will include interactive activities, such as a "Red Light, Yellow Light, Green Light" activity in which participants will classify AI use scenarios by level of concern and discuss risks, affected parties, and potential solutions. The workshop is designed to help faculty explore a wide range of challenges, opportunities, and emerging practices in AI in higher education. Hosted by the Office of Faculty Development AI Desk.

For questions, contact Dr. L. Lusike Mukhongo, Associate Director, OFD

 Sign up for the AI in Higher Ed. session

Funding opportunity! Applications due Monday, Nov. 2 and Feb 8. 

2026–27 Instructional Development Grants are now available! Grants support board-appointed bargaining unit faculty and professional instructors (PIOs) with projects and professional development that tangibly impact student learning. Funding is available for faculty and PIOs at all career stages through two competitive application cycles. Fall applications are due Nov. 2; spring applications are due Feb. 8 for projects that can be completed during the fiscal year. Learn more about Instructional Development Grants. 

For more information, contact the Office of Faculty Development

Our Elearning Fundamental workshops are perfect for anyone looking to build or expand their knowledge of Elearning. These sessions cover the essentials across a range of topics, helping you create a welcoming and functional online space that enhances teaching and learning.

Whether you're teaching online, hybrid, or in-person courses, these workshops are designed to support all modalities. Attend one session, or join us for the entire series—it's up to you!

Our goal is to help you connect with your students and make the teaching experience more engaging and enjoyable. Part 1 will take place Monday, August 31 at 1:00pm. 

Our Elearning Fundamental workshops are perfect for anyone looking to build or expand their knowledge of Elearning. These sessions cover the essentials across a range of topics, helping you create a welcoming and functional online space that enhances teaching and learning.

Whether you're teaching online, hybrid, or in-person courses, these workshops are designed to support all modalities. Attend one session, or join us for the entire series—it's up to you!

Our goal is to help you connect with your students and make the teaching experience more engaging and enjoyable. Part II will take place Tuesday, September 1 at 1:00pm. 

Our Elearning Fundamental workshops are perfect for anyone looking to build or expand their knowledge of Elearning. These sessions cover the essentials across a range of topics, helping you create a welcoming and functional online space that enhances teaching and learning.

Whether you're teaching online, hybrid, or in-person courses, these workshops are designed to support all modalities. Attend one session, or join us for the entire series—it's up to you!

Our goal is to help you connect with your students and make the teaching experience more engaging and enjoyable. Part III will take place Wednesday, September 2 at 1:00pm. 

Our Elearning Fundamental workshops are perfect for anyone looking to build or expand their knowledge of Elearning. These sessions cover the essentials across a range of topics, helping you create a welcoming and functional online space that enhances teaching and learning.

Whether you're teaching online, hybrid, or in-person courses, these workshops are designed to support all modalities. Attend one session, or join us for the entire series—it's up to you!

Our goal is to help you connect with your students and make the teaching experience more engaging and enjoyable. Part IV will take place Thursday, September 3 at 1:00pm. 

Couldn't join us earlier this week? Now is the time to get a crash course in Elearning! The CTLD Instructional Support team will discuss an overview of Elearning including homepages, discussions, gradebook, quizzes and dropboxes. Elearning Condensed will take place Friday, September 4 at 12:00pm. 

Thursday, September 10

2 to 3 p.m.

Virtual

In this webinar, perfectionists will unite to get clear about:

• The causes and consequences of excessive perfectionism.
• The features of academic life that intensify perfectionism
• Strategies to identify when your perfectionism is at work, assess whether it is useful or debilitating, and adjust your standards and behavior accordingly
• The secret to finding real satisfaction in every step of the writing process

Thursday, October 1

1 to 2 p.m.

Virtual

In this webinar, NCFDD invites faculty to rethink difficult classroom moments as opportunities for learning, reflection, and connection.

Thursday, October 8

2 to 3 p.m.

Virtual

In this webinar, you will learn:

• How conflict-management is an essential part of thriving in the Academy.
• How to decide when to push back and when to pull back in the face of conflict.
• The difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict.
• How to get clear about the role that power plays in resolving departmental conflicts.
• Ten tips for engaging in healthy conflict

The Office of Faculty Development is partnering with NCFDD to host a private 14-Day Writing Challenge!  This challenge is open to WMU faculty, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants looking to experiment with daily writing and find joy in the process. 

• Commit to writing for at least 30 minutes a day for two weeks Login to our online community, start the timer, complete your writing, and post your progress at the end.

• Take 5 minutes to support other writers in your group by commenting on their progress

• “Writing” refers to any scholarly activity ranging from the spark of a new idea to polishing a near-complete project (article, grant proposal, exhibit, book chapter, etc.).

The average participant writes for 350 minutes over the two weeks and 98% of recent participants agreed that “the 14-Day Writing Challenge was helpful in making progress on your scholarly work.”

• Challenge runs: Monday, Nov. 2 - Sunday, Nov.15, 2026 

• Registration closes on Sun. Oct. 25 

Writing Challenge Details and Registration 

Friday, November 6

1 to 2 p.m.

Virtual

This webinar unpacks the difference between impostor syndrome and impostorization and offers strategies to counter each.

Thursday, November 12

2 to 3 p.m.

Virtual

Join NCFDD to learn:

• The impact that stress and negativity can have if they are not managed
• Identify the most common areas of stress in academic life
• Concrete strategies for managing the physical, emotional, and attitudinal effects of stress