Dear Faculty, Administrators and Staff,

I would like to share an important update regarding the Seeds of Innovation initiative. After careful review of performance benchmarks and community input, I have decided that the School of Health and Medical Sciences (SHMS) and the College of Nursing (CON) are best positioned to serve students, faculty, and the broader community by continuing to be two independent schools. Therefore, as conveyed at our most recent Board of Regents annual retreat, there will be no merger of these two schools.

Each school will instead continue on its own path with a shared intention to support and grow the culture of collaboration between the two schools. In particular, I look forward to the further development of the Interprofessional Health Sciences Campus model upon which the University embarked nearly a decade ago. The Campus will be a hub for innovation, translational research, and community-based clinical service delivery.

Accordingly, we are moving forward with searches for permanent deans for both schools this fall. The search committees will be assembled in collaboration with the Faculty Senate and other colleagues across campus and will ensure a process that is inclusive, transparent, and guided by the voices of our community. I look forward to keeping you updated as these searches progress.

I want to take a moment to thank Interim Dean Vikram Dayalu of SHMS and Interim Dean Kristi Stinson of CON for their continued leadership during this time of transition, and I am grateful for their partnership.

Sincerely,
Erik

Last week, the College of Nursing hosted our partners from Maynooth University in Ireland at the Interprofessional Health Sciences campus to officially sign a Memorandum of Understanding. This exciting collaboration will provide new global learning opportunities for our students.

The first group of ABSN nursing students will travel to Ireland later this year as part of this partnership, strengthening international connections and advancing Seton Hall’s commitment to preparing students for an increasingly global profession.

Are you a Seton Hall faculty member, administrator, or staff member interested in exploring big ideas in higher education? Join the Higher Ed Reading Group by emailing Professor Martin Edwards.

We will be reading Kevin McClure’s The Caring University. Our discussions will be held over Teams during work hours, and we’re going to work slowly through the book as our schedules are already full.

The library has generously provided unlimited electronic copies of this book through this link.

Our goals are simple: to learn, grow, and build connections across departments.

We are seeking donors for Seton Hall's October 21 Blood Drive with the American Red Cross, supported by a Service Project in Professor Naatus' Principles of Marketing course. Donating blood saves lives, and with the current shortage, there’s no better time to make a difference. Please email mary.naatus@shu.edu if you have any questions.

Graduate Student Modules Available

Faculty can add new modules to Canvas to support graduate students that teach important topics for student success. These topics include Copyright and Permissions, Dissertation/Thesis Submission Checklist and How to Submit Your Thesis or Dissertation. Embed the modules directly into your Canvas course shell. Questions? Contact Maria Barca, Lead Instruction Librarian at maria.barca@shu.edu

Copyright and Fair Use Information for Advisors and Students

Please take a moment to review updated copyright information from University Libraries that covers Fair Use, the public domain and Creative Commons. Learn more about copyright as it applies to Course Reserves and theses and dissertations. Additionally, it is important for faculty advisors to ensure that students are following copyright rules before submitting theses and dissertations. We are here to help! Read more here: Copyright and Fair Use 2025. Questions? Contact Lisa Rose-Wiles, Copyright Librarian at lisa.rose-wiles@shu.edu.

OGRS and Cayuse support Prestigious Fellowship applications

All faculty applying for sponsored projects, grants, fellowships, and letters of intent need internal approval by the Office of Grants and Research before external submission. Cayuse is the system that keeps track of all the sponsored projects. A sponsored project is an external, funded activity—like research, instruction, or service—that requires a formal written agreement, such as a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, between a university and an external sponsor. Key characteristics include a detailed statement of work, specific project goals with deliverables, a formal budget (often including indirect costs), and a commitment to provide detailed financial and progress reports to the sponsor. See Seton Hall’s Principal Investigators Handbook for additional information. Questions? Contact Norma Rubio, Compliance Grants & Grants Information Systems Manager, norma.rubio@shu.edu.

Follow the CFD blog for more upcoming events and initiatives. We also welcome your suggestions for workshops and speakers, as well as requests for co-sponsorship of faculty-oriented events.

Upcoming Events

Weekly Events

Faculty Lunch-Time Meet-up:
October 1, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
October 7, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Faculty section of the Pirate Dining Room

SHU Meditates
Thursday, October 2
12:30 - 1 p.m., in Teams

Faculty Opportunities for the 2025-26 Academic Year:
Time Machines Project 2025-26

The following faculty learning communities are opportunities for engagement as well as personal and professional development.

CFD Podcast: Faculty Matters

Videos

Have you missed a CFD event? If so, you can find recordings here.

Upcoming TLTC Remote Workshops: 

The Innovate and Educate podcast is back for Season 2 
Episode 1 explores how faculty are reimagining assignments to spark authentic engagement, motivation, and real-world skills in today’s AI-driven learning environment. Faculty share practical strategies and creative approaches that you can apply in your own teaching. Listen now.

Transforming Teaching Through Game-Inspired Learning 
The TLTC is bringing game-inspired elements into teaching and training at Seton Hall. This fall, the Department of Housing and Residence Life partnered with the TLTC to design an escape room activity for Head Residence Assistants, giving them the chance to practice teamwork, communication and problem-solving in a fun, engaging environment. Read more about game-inspired learning.

Special Accommodations in Canvas 
Canvas makes it simple for instructors to support students who need extra time or adjusted due dates. With the “Assign To” feature, instructors can extend quiz or exam time, set different due dates for individuals or groups, and allow additional attempts when needed. Learn how to set accommodations in Canvas. 

Use Labster for a Simulated Laboratory Experience 
Labster lets students explore lab concepts virtually, supporting hands-on learning beyond the classroom. Built-in assessments help faculty identify challenges and adjust teaching. Get started with Labster.

Reminder from Registrar

Please remind your students that the deadline for undergraduate and graduate degree candidates to file online for the Application for Degree for Fall 2025 in Banner Self Service is Friday, October 3, 2025. This is also the last day for Fall 2025 degree candidates to add a major or minor.

2026 BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium

The Office of the Provost is looking for five student applicants who will represent Seton Hall at the 2026 BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium. Selected students will be supported for overnight travel to present their research at Madison Square Garden on Saturday March 14, 2026. As an added bonus, all competing students will receive one complimentary ticket to the Men’s Basketball Conference Championship Game held in the evening. Winners of the competition will be announced at the game and will receive medals. To apply for the award, students should complete a brief application by November 4, 2025.