In this edition of the Pew FTLC Newsletter:

Civic Engagement and Responsibility. In this election season, I wanted to share a few resources to help you engage students. Project Pericles has put together a rich set of Voter Activation Modules and assembled a host of resources related to civic engagement. I also recommend preparing for potentially challenging classroom conversations (not just around the subject of civic duty). A favorite scholar of ours, Chavella Pittman, has a post on the Scholarly Teacher blog that offers concrete strategies to consider. Given that civic engagement likely involves community partner involvement, I thought that this new Campus Compact Engaging Community guide might also be relevant. Lastly, I draw your attention to the Political Engagement at GVSU resource that the PEC newsletter reminded us about yesterday.  

Student Learning Outcomes Revisited. Several GV folks are attending the Assessment Institute in Indianapolis next week and shared a cool thing the Institute offers: a series of free preview webinars. They took place this week, but the slides and recordings are posted. Thanks to Bradford Dykes for sharing. The slides from the New Considerations for Student Learning Outcomes session contain some real truth bombs and I encourage you to review.  

Similarly, there is much to consider in an aspirational AI Studies Foundational Curriculum that Cameron Tonkinwise posted for discussion/feedback. Thanks to Vinicius Lima for sharing. I was immediately drawn to the framing of the student learning outcomes. The format is not what one would typically expect, and it got me thinking about design and the student user experience of academic materials. Here are just a few SLO samples from the post: “Discerning how social media created the conditions for the truthiness that genAI trades in” and “Why societies often think automating activities is good, overlooking wider contexts and consequences.”  

Lastly, as we continue to discuss (and make the case for) the value of higher education, I offer a new report that finds that what students value most in college includes “purpose and personal growth” as well as “networking and relationships,” with “economic return” ranked lower. While a rather small-scale study, this article about the study (mostly the charts) is worth discussing with colleagues or even using in class as the basis of a mid-semester reflection on goals/expectations.  

Overheard Around Town. A few closing thoughts:

Take good care- 

-Christine Rener, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning 

Are you hoping to attend a teaching and learning related conference during the January 1, 2027-June 30, 2027 window?  If so, consider applying for our Faculty Conference Grant!

Our Faculty Conference Grant provides up to $700 to help defray the cost of attending an in-person or virtual teaching-related conference, workshop, or training, with or without presenting! All faculty are eligible to apply but preference is given to first time applicants. Be sure your application explicitly states how participation/attendance at the selected conference, workshop, or training will impact your teaching and hopefully, the learning of your students.

Faculty can apply via our online grants system. Applications will be accepted for two weeks prior to starting our review. Once we begin reviewing applications, this grant is awarded on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. Mark your calendars!

Carve out time to focus on your writing goals in a structured, supportive environment and join the Fall Remote Writing Challenge.

We’re hosting 1.5-hour writing sessions on Zoom on the Thursdays below from 2:00 - 3:30PM. Register for one, a few, or all of the dates. Each session includes 15 minutes for introductions and goal-setting, 1 hour of focused writing time, and 15 minutes to share successes and reflections.

Whether you're working on articles, scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), book chapters, professional documents, syllabi, or other writing projects, these sessions provide accountability and momentum to help you make progress. We’ll provide a quiet, distraction-free space. Writing can feel solitary, but with a supportive community, the process becomes more motivating, productive, and even fun! All faculty and staff are welcome. 

For dates and information on our writing challenges, visit the Faculty Writing Challenges webpage.

Things We Imagined - Black Futurity and Academic Life Screening

Join The College of Education and Community Innovation, Department of Inclusion & Equity, and Office of the Provost for a special screening of Things We Imagined - Black Futurity and Academic Life , a powerful documentary that explores the journeys, aspirations, and lived experiences of Black faculty in higher education. Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a live conversation with producer Dr. Candace N. Hall and director Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III.

This discussion will be moderated by Dr. Laila McCloud, Associate Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration at GVSU and associate producer of the film. Together, they will explore the inspiration behind the film, the stories it brings to light, and the questions it raises for colleges and universities working to cultivate more equitable and inclusive learning and working environments.

Parking is available at the Seward Lot (505 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504) and the Seward Ramp (520 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504). For external guests, please bring your parking ticket to be validated at the event.