It feels like spring break will never get here—but in just three more days, it will! April promises to be a busy month, and we’ll be back with a full issue of FAN to keep you updated. In the meantime, we’re sharing upcoming workshop opportunities to help with your planning.

Looking ahead, mark your calendar for the Faculty Picnic in early May—a family-friendly chance to connect and celebrate the end of the semester.

Spring is the perfect time to reflect on your teaching and gain fresh insights. The Peer Observation Program offers a supportive, non-evaluative process where you can collaborate with a trained observer to refine your approach. Through guided self-reflection, classroom observation, and constructive dialogue, you’ll receive valuable feedback that complements student evaluations.

This opportunity is available for face-to-face courses, with observations scheduled before May 2.

For more details, contact Karyn Turla, Ph.D. at turlak@umkc.edu.

Don't forget about Faculty Yoga--every Thursday at 5 pm

Harnessing Generative AI for Faculty Excellence: Enhancing Scholarship, Teaching, and Administration

Discover practical tools, ethical insights, and hands-on strategies for integrating Generative AI into your daily work in this interactive workshop. April 9, 2025 | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. | HyFlex | Register

Guest Speaker: Dr. Leo Flores

Dr. Leo Flores will visit UMKC to deliver his talk “Dr. CyberLeo: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love AI.” Friday April 4, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. | Register.

Transform Passive Learning into Active Engagement

Want to transform passive learning into active engagement? Let HELP guide the way! Facilitated by UMKC's Supplemental Instruction team.

Members from Academic Technology are scheduled to participate in UMKC's campus visit. Drop in the meet & greet to talk about your teaching goals and how Academic Technology can help you. Table topics will include: Artificial Intelligence, accessibility in your course, course analytics and faculty development. 

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - UMKC Health Sciences Campus HSB 3301, 12:00 - 1:00 pm.

Wednesday, April 16 2025 - UMKC Volker Campus UMKC Faculty Commons at Newcomb Hall 3rd Floor

Coming to a park near you! Save the date - Saturday 3 May for an off-campus family friendly picnic. This first-ever event is being planned and organized by the two Faculty Fellows for Engagement and Vitality - Gwen Nally and Debra Leiter.

Miss an issue? Visit the Faculty Affairs Newsletter Archive for all past issues.