Remarks from our Director

Dear Faculty Colleagues,

As we approach Fall Break, I want to extend my sincere thanks and congratulations for all you’ve accomplished so far this semester. The effort, thoughtfulness, and resilience you bring to your teaching and service make a real difference for our students and for each other. I hope this brief pause offers you a chance to rest, reflect, and find some well-earned downtime. 

First-Year Faculty Cohort
On September 29, our new faculty met with Troy Priest, Director of the QEP, who shared insights on the important work underway with communities of practice, upcoming SoTL initiatives, and the Peay Composed Symposium in December. The remainder of the session was led by Brandon DiPaolo Harrison, Faculty Senate President, who discussed the role of Faculty Senate at APSU, their goals for the academic year, and ways to get involved. Thank you both for your engaging presentations!

Our October 6 session on supporting LGBT students was unfortunately cancelled due to presenter illness, but we look forward to rescheduling it for the spring semester to ensure faculty have access to this critical content.

If you ever find yourself wondering what our FYF colleagues are up to, check out the FYF program agenda for Fall 2025 here.

Upcoming Events
Here’s a quick look at upcoming opportunities for and by faculty:

• TechBytes sessions
• DE Course Mapping Series
• Accessibility Basics for Course Design Training Series
• Career Success Center sessions for Faculty
• Temple Grandin Visit Schedule
• October Lunch & Learn
• Interprofessional Education Made Practical: Tools for Faculty session
• Peay Composed Symposium on Academic Writing

CAFE Calendar 
I'll continue to update our CAFE Calendar as more events and sessions become finalized.  Be sure to bookmark it and add any events directly to your Outlook calendar. 

Our CAFE Advisory Board met on September 29 to review and discuss the results of the FCAM survey. We’re already planning future improvements and initiatives, including new opportunities for January 2026. As always, we welcome your ideas on how CAFE can better serve you.  Please don't hesitate to reach out at williamsjj@apsu.edu or 931-221-7648.

Wishing you all a restorative and enjoyable Fall Break! I hope to see you at one of our many upcoming offerings!

Yours always,
Jeff 

A place develoted to celebrating the achievements of our APSU faculty colleagues!

Communications Faculty Present at Tennessee Communication Association 2025 Conference

The Tennessee Communication Association (TCA) 2025 Conference is an annual gathering of educators, scholars, students, and communication professionals held September 19-20, 2025, at Motlow State Community College in Smyrna, Tennessee.

The conference theme is "Come Together: Colleagues, Classrooms, and Communities" and emphasizes the critical role of communication in fostering understanding, civic engagement, and meaningful change in today's divided social and political climate. The event features panel discussions, paper presentations, and workshops covering diverse areas including curriculum development, mass communication, organizational communication, rhetoric, interpersonal communication, and pedagogical innovations. Special events include a Student Film Showcase and competitive student paper presentations.

Austin Peay State University Presenters
Dr. Jessica Morris (2025 TCA President), David Ellison, Barry Gresham, Karen Bullis, Micca Terrell, Jame Zhang, Daniela Thomas, Dr. Tracy Nichols, Dr. Nader Dagher, Dr. Pam Gray, Jamie Bowen, Dr. Kakali Chakrabarti, Macy Short, Destiny Griffin, Ella Holland, Dr. Robert Baron

Here are a few Presentations:
"Moving from the classroom to the community: Practical assignments that shine a light on stories in the neighborhoods that we live in" (Ellison, Gresham, Bullis, Terrell, Zhang, Thomas) - Panel examining how sports communication and broadcast media teach practical skills through live sports production, documentaries, PSAs, and public affairs programming

"The Value of Connections: Community Communication, Collaborations, and Student Support" (Nichols, Dagher, Gray, Morris) - Panel exploring methods for collaborating with colleagues and communities while supporting students through major historical events

"Career Readiness: Connecting Students with Opportunities" (Nichols, Morris, Ritchart) - Panel examining internal and external opportunities that enhance students' professional toolkit, including Skillifi integration and NACE competencies

"Red light, yellow light, green light: Teaching students to critically engage with AI in their coursework" (Baron) - GIFT presentation on helping students thoughtfully incorporate AI into their academic work

Rose-Wilson, Ellison, & Stone publish article on childhood obesity

Three Austin Peay State University nursing professors have published research in the Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing examining the clinical challenges of childhood obesity, which has tripled in the U.S. since the 1970s.The research highlights how obesity complicates pediatric surgical care, from medication dosing difficulties to increased surgical risks including airway management problems and longer recovery times. 

The faculty members—Devona Stone, Dr. Debra Rose-Wilson, and Dr. Debbie Ellison—note that conditions once considered adult-onset, like Type 2 diabetes, are now appearing in children as young as 4 years old. They point to societal factors including screen-centered lifestyles, reduced physical education, and economic barriers to healthy food as contributors to the epidemic.

The researchers emphasize that addressing childhood obesity requires more than just education. They advocate for a holistic approach combining behavioral support, community resources, compassionate care, and reducing stigma around obesity. They see promise in family-based programs and technology like telehealth coaching and mobile apps to help children build healthier habits.

From left: Dr. Debra Rose-Wilson, professor of nursing; Dr. Debbie Ellison, professor of nursing; and Devona Stone, clinical assistant professor of nursing. The three recently published an article in the Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing examining clinical implications of pediatric obesity. | Photo by Seth Riker

Cifci & Bilderback receive 2025 College of Business AJ Taylor Distinguished Professorship Awards

Excellence in Research: Dr. Eren Cifci

Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Stephanie Bilderback

This award recognizes two faculty members annually for demonstrating exceptional scholarly work or innovative teaching practices that contribute to the mission of the college. The endowed gift was provided by alumnus, Larry Carroll, who dedicated the award to former Marketing professor, Dr. Albert J. Taylor for his legacy of exceptional contributions. 

Bradley on GovsTeach Unplugged Podcast

On this episode, Megan chats with Amanda Bradley, a new reading instructor in the Eriksson College of Education at Austin Peay State University. Amanda discusses her previous experience as a student at Austin Peay and her extensive experience as a teacher in the Cheatham County and Clarksville-Montgomery County school districts in Tennessee.

Bradley provides tips and strategies for ELL and reading teachers and shares some of her favorite classroom memories. Amanda is full of energy, and we are excited to see the impact she makes at Austin Peay.

Phillips reflects on 35 years at APSU

Thirty-five years ago, Dr. Mike Phillips took a risk on a new career path he never planned: becoming a professor at Austin Peay State University. His dream of corporate America, where he pursued opportunities in real estate and finance operations, ended after experiencing one particular “bolt of lightning” moment that changed everything.

In this Q&A, Phillips reflects on his 35 years at Austin Peay and the guidance that redirected him to his true calling: creating impactful opportunities for students to discover their potential. You’ll also read heartfelt testimonials from former students, offering a glimpse into the lasting impact of his dedication to teaching and mentorship over the past three-and-a-half decades of building a legacy.

All sessions from 11:30am - 12:30pm in MUC 303

"Animal Wellness: Caring Smarter, Caring Better"
A focus on Temple Grandin

Discover the life and work of Temple Grandin, one of the world’s most influential voices in animal behavior, livestock handling, and autism advocacy. This talk highlights her groundbreaking contributions to animal welfare and connects them to the broader mission of promoting smarter, more compassionate care for animals during Animal Wellness Month.

Lunch will be provided, so please RSVP by Oct. 15, 2025,
so we can plan accordingly!

Have you seen the AI Symposium schedule and
list of presenters for October 31?  

The first 30 attendees to RSVP will receive a chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A!
RSVP by October 31st

In partnership with the Division of Legal Affairs and Organizational Strategy, the APSU AI Task Force, and the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE), we have offered free access to Auburn University's highly regarded "Teaching with AI" online course for up to 100 APSU faculty members.

This initiative directly supports the Employee Pillar (Pillar 3) of the Experience Austin Peay Strategic Plan, focused on faculty and staff excellence. It also comes in direct response to feedback received from the recent survey distributed by the APSU AI Task Force. Thank you for making your voices heard. We listened—and we responded.

Hurry! We only have 13 licenses left! 

If you have any questions, please email baileyk@apsu.edu.

Dr. Allison Oliver was recently named one of the recipients for The Socrates Award for Excellence in Teaching! Here is a little more about her and her accomplishments.

Dr. Allison Oliver is a Special Education teacher educator with over 20 years of experience serving in a variety of roles within the field. A proud Mississippi native, she currently serves on the Teacher Education Division Board (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children and as President-Elect for TN-CEC.

Dr. Oliver is a lifelong advocate for individuals with disabilities and marginalized populations, with a passion for equity work in all its forms. Her goal as an educator is to equip others to see lessons beyond eligibility and to challenge conventional approaches to education. She is also a textbook author on practical behavior management strategies and enjoys adding to the research in the field through presentations, service, and publications. In addition, she enjoys creative outlets such as podcasting and content creation, which she considers her “heart work.” 

Dr. Oliver’s favorite thing about teaching at APSU is the PEAYPLE. No matter the modality, she values connecting with students in ways that encourage them to think outside the box and challenge the traditional considerations of special education. 

Join us in congratulating Dr. Allison Oliver for being one of the recipients of The Socrates Award for Excellence in Teaching!

Professor Kebede Wordofa is another new addition to our CAFE Advisory Board. He serves as an Associate Professor & Systems Librarian at the Woodward Library. He has served at APSU for 14 years.

When asked about why he is interested in serving on the CAFE Board, Prof. Wordofa said, “My interest in CAFE grew from my involvement in the Faculty Leadership Program (FLP), where I gained valuable insights into CAFE’s crucial role in enhancing faculty excellence. This was particularly evident in our cohort’s white paper, focused on strategies to strengthen faculty mentorship.”

His favorite things about APSU are the students and the beautiful campus. In his free time, he enjoys watching live sports, especially soccer, football, and basketball with family and friends. His favorite movie is the Parent Trap.

We are so thankful to welcome Prof. Wordofa to the CAFE Advisory Board
His favorite things about APSU are the students and the beautiful campus. In his free time, he enjoys watching live sports, especially soccer, football, and basketball with family and friends. His favorite movie is The Parent Trap.

We are so thankful to welcome Prof. Wordofa to the CAFE Advisory Board

Did you know our past CAFE Newsletters are available
through two university resources?

Explore them to catch up on recent highlights and accomplishments.

Have you bookmarked the CAFE Calendar yet?  We’re constantly adding new events!  Stay up to date with all CAFE-affiliated programming happening across campus.  Don’t forget - you can easily add any event directly to your Outlook calendar with a click! 

If you haven't yet, you should!

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