UTA’S E‑NEWSLETTER FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2025

Bridging Cultures

The eighth episode of Discovering the Maverick Factor explores the vibrant world of international education at UTA with two special guests: Jay Horn, the University’s longtime executive director of international education, and Shakil Ahmed, an actively engaged undergraduate student from Bangladesh.

Studying military bases in the arctic region

With the Arctic region warming nearly four times the rate of the rest of the globe, Vinayak Kaushal, associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, has found that two-thirds of the 79 U.S. military bases located in the region require more preparation against permafrost thaw and rising sea levels.

Starting the semester strong

Attend the next the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence workshop Wednesday, Jan. 15, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. to learn strategies to help students kick off their learning in the new semester. RSVP here to join in Room 105 of Trinity Hall or via Microsoft Teams. Lunch will be provided for those attending in person. Click here to preview some of the main ideas that will be presented.

Outstanding Maverick Awards

Recognize a staff member, people leader, or team who exemplifies what it means to be a Maverick. This year’s Outstanding Maverick Awards are open for nominations until Friday, Jan. 10. Visit the Outstanding Maverick Awards page for details and the nomination form.

Outside activity reporting

UTA’s Compliance, Accountability, Risk, and Ethics Committee would like to remind all employees of their ongoing obligation to report whether they have any outside activity or other potential conflicts of interest or commitment in the Outside Activity Portal. Employees must make reports at least annually or when there is a reportable change to their outside interests. Additional details about employee responsibilities can be found in the Conflicts of Interest, Conflicts of Commitment, and Outside Activities Policy (EI-PO-02).

Faculty research honors

Through Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, each college is accepting applications for Faculty Research Honors. Submit a nomination for Distinguished Record of Research or Creative Activity Award, the Outstanding Research Achievement or Creative Accomplishment Award, and the Academy of Distinguished Scholars.

Office of Information Technology Service Desk

OIT Service Desk in-person support for spring 2025

This spring, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) Service Desk will provide in-person support to faculty and staff at the front desk of Trinity Hall Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

The OIT Service Desk will offer in-person support to students in the Central Library Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A temporary pop-up location will open for students, with the ability to support employees as well, Jan. 13-24 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Maverick Activities Center.

Third Thursday Think Tank

Join the UTA Veterans Business Outreach Center at Third Thursday Think Tank Thursday, Jan. 16, 6-7:30 p.m. in Room 635 of the College of Business. This workshop will provide valuable insights from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, while offering practical advice to help you start your entrepreneurial journey. Registration is required. The link to attend this hybrid event virtually will be emailed to registered attendees.

New search engine feature

The UTA website’s search engine now gives you the option to include faculty and staff resources in your search. The search engine is expected to continue to function the same. If you experience any issues, please contact the OIT Service Desk.

Electronic accessibility

Pay close attention to the color contrast of electronic communications that you create, approve, or distribute. One out of every 12 adults has colorblindness. To ensure that everyone has access to your webpages, emails, social media posts, flyers, or other electronic files, verify that there is sufficient color contrast between the color of the font and the color of the background. Learn about accessibility best practices.

Nominate a student

Take just a few minutes to nominate a student for Outstanding Student Leader (OSL) Awards. Nominated students will receive information on how to formally apply for OSL Awards and associated scholarships. Nominate here by Monday, Jan. 20. If you have questions, email becka.shetty@uta.edu.

New year, new skills!

What are your learning goals for 2025? You can achieve them with help from the UTA Coursera Career Academy. UTA faculty, staff, students, and alumni have free access to 40-plus certificates in project management, social media marketing, data science, and more.

SAC mailing list

Stay informed by joining the Staff Advisory Council (SAC) mailing list today. Become part of a vibrant community dedicated to improving UTA's workplace and fostering meaningful connections. For any questions or additional information, contact SAC@uta.edu.