Are we there yet?! CAFE is proud to support your success! This expanded issue of FAN to guide you through the remainder of the week and into Fall Break (we're almost there!). As you enjoy the break, prioritize your well-being by taking time to reflect, restore and renew.

This week, give yourself a break in the Faculty Commons with snacks and fresh-brewed coffee on Wednesday (11/20), Thursday (11/21), and Friday (11/22) between 8:30 am and 10:30 am.

Launch event: Wednesday, 20 November | 3:00 - 3:30 pm | online

To make myVITA more rewarding, we’re introducing myVITA Victory — a series of events, resources, and a friendly competition designed to help you build a profile that truly reflects your achievements. Along the way, you’ll receive practical support, connect with colleagues, and even have the chance to gain recognition for your efforts.

Register for launch, even if you cannot attend, to gain access to the recording and more information about the series and resources.

Uniquely yours, portable profile data now integrates with myVITA.

The integration with ORCID allows users to update their data within myVITA from their ORCID record. The ORCID record focuses on faculty scholarship and consolidates scholarly works from many online sources. This makes the myVITA-ORCID integration a powerful resource for many faculty loading their scholarship into myVITA. More information and instructions available online.

Meeting 2: Wednesday, 20 November, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

"I’m excited to invite you to our next meeting! We're following up on 'Course Crafting,' where we'll explore fresh ways to innovate in your classes. This will be an engaging, hands-on session, and I can’t wait to see the ideas you come up with during out time together! Join us to spark new insights and take your teaching and scholarship to the next level!"

   -- Marsha Huber, CAFE Faculty Fellow for SoTL

Friday, 17 January 2025 | 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

CAFE invites you to participate in our 2025 conference, focusing on the role of mentoring at UMKC and higher education. This event will feature breakout sessions, mentoring opportunities, and a keynote address. 

High-enrollment online courses (100+ students) share many effective strategies with smaller classes, such as clear course design, building connections, and engaging-learning activities aligned with outcomes. However, large classes can pose unique challenges like compromising quality for time, fostering engagement and maintaining academic integrity. 

Review best practices in course site organization, efficient class management, student engagement, assessments and academic integrity in the Missouri Online article, Large Online Courses.

Explore the MO Online Knowledge Base for other resources and strategies on teaching and learning.

In 1870, Kansas City built City Hospital on a hill on its southern border. In time, the hill came to be known as the Hospital Hill and in the 20th century, the location for a number of public and private hospitals and related health care providers.

This presentation maps the history of Hospital Hill and UMKC’s Health Sciences Programs and traces their development from their origins to present day.

Tuesday, 17 December 2024 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Attend in person - UMKC School of Medicine in Theater B
Attend virtually -  go.umkc.edu/DecemberLecture meeting ID 925 9121 4623 Passcode: 469979

Learn more about Academic Book Proposal FLC

Are you working on or considering a book proposal? Join Jennifer Phegley for a Faculty Learning Community this spring - focused on crafting key elements of a scholarly book proposal, featuring insights from The Book Proposal Book by Laura Portwood-Stacer.

The Academic Book Proposal FLC will meet first-Friday afternoons beginning in February. The series culminates in Portwood-Stacer’s virtual visit as a Shutz Lecturer on Monday, 19 May, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Learn more about Faculty Writing Initiative

FWI supports faculty in achieving their academic and creative goals through work on writing projects. Faculty across all ranks, including non-tenure track, are encouraged to apply, and applicants can apply to participate in either a Tuesday or a Friday morning session. Both sessions will meet via Zoom. The weekly meetings will begin the second week of classes, and participants will be expected to attend these weekly writing sessions throughout the semester.

Facilitators for FWI are Dr. Antonio Byrd, Assistant Professor of English, and Dr. Jane Greer, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor of English and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies.

View this short, celebratory presentation of Fall 2024 faculty promotions that include University Libraries, tenure, promotion, and Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professors.

↓ Click for more info ↓

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Visit the Faculty Affairs Newsletter Archive for information and resources that support your professional learning.