Dear Faculty Colleagues,

Welcome back! Can you believe it’s already the first week of classes for the Fall 2026 semester? I’m so excited to kick off another academic year with all of you!

This summer, especially August, has been incredibly busy! In collaboration with Human Resources, I led two Part-Time Instructor trainings — one virtual and one in person — to ensure that our new adjunct faculty feel confident in their roles. Our First-Year Faculty cohort is already bonding (especially over trivia!) and bringing wonderful energy to campus. I’m confident that their experience, perspectives, and expertise will greatly enrich our community.

I’ll meet with the FYF cohort on Monday afternoons beginning August 31. As I did in last year’s newsletters, I’ll continue to share what we cover in our FYF cohort meetings. It was also a pleasure to meet with our first-year faculty departmental mentors, who will be invaluable resources as our new faculty begin their careers at APSU.

I hope you’ve seen our social media posts highlighting faculty and CAFE events — I love showcasing our amazing faculty here at APSU!

I’m also grateful that CAFE’s Graduate Assistant, Sarah Barry, is back with us for another semester! She made such significant contributions to CAFE last year and is poised to continue to do so. Sarah will be in McCord with me on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, so stop by and say hello!

Upcoming Events
Here’s a quick look at upcoming opportunities:

• Sept. 3 - TechBytes (and the full Fall 2026 TechBytes schedule)
• Beginning Sept 4 - Combat Quilters
• Sept. 8 - Genio Play Session: Lunch & Learn with Jordan Johnson and Ashley Billington (lunch provided!)
• Sept. 10 - APSU Onsite Health Screening 
• Sept. 12 - Govs Creative Arts Festival at Downtown Commons

AY 2026-2027 CAFE Initiatives
This year, I’m excited to share several new programs and initiatives that are already underway or coming soon:

• AI Faculty Mentors utilizing BoodleBox in their courses and available to assist you in integrating AI into your instruction
• Fall 2026 Active Learning Book Group working through David Gooblar's One Classroom at a Time
• International Faculty Affinity Group
• AI Faculty Working Group focused on AI in the Classroom
• Professional Development Day with author, David Gooblar set for January 14, 2027
• Mentoring Community of Practice coming in Spring 2027

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

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 wonderful first week of classes!  Here's to a great year and LET'S GO PEAY!

Yours always,
Jeff 

Your 2026-2027 CAFE Advisory Board pictured above! :)

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

Grand-Prize winning Chandler visits SONOR Orff Factory in Germany

Dr. Michael Chandler, Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music Education, visited the SONOR Orff Factory in Bad Berleburg, Germany, over the summer, where SONOR Orff instruments are made.

This special opportunity was part of Dr. Chandler’s grand prize for winning the 2024 SONOR Orff Composition Competition. During his visit, he received a behind-the-scenes tour of the production process, from raw materials through final packaging.

One highlight of the experience was the opportunity to fine-tune his own glockenspiel bar using the factory machinery—a hands-on look at the artistry and precision behind these world-renowned instruments.

Dr. Michael Chandler is pictured below, third from the left.

Ogbonna-McGruder presents research in South Africa

Dr. Chinyere Ogbonna-McGruder, Professor of Political Science, presented a research paper at the IAMCR Regional Conference Africa in South Africa in June 2026. Her paper was titled, “Sovereignty as Spectacle: Ibrahim Traoré, ‘Second Decolonization’ and the Politics of Dependency in Burkina Faso.”

The theme of this year’s IAMCR Regional Conference Africa was “Reimagining Media and Political Communication in Africa: Voices, Power, and Participation in the Digital Age.” IAMCR is a global professional association of media and communication researchers with more than 2,800 active members worldwide.

Bilderback and Students Present at Columbia University

In June 2026, Dr. Stephanie Bilderback, Assistant Professor of Management, represented the College of Business at The Learning Ideas Conference, held at Columbia University in New York City. Dr. Bilderback and three undergraduate students presented research they co-authored through faculty-student collaboration at APSU.

Brody Burgess, Emily Gill, and Cutter Shepherd each presented a research project:

• Built to Belong? How Physical Workspaces Shape Gen Z Engagement and Well-Being — with Cutter Shepherd

• Who Gets to Lead? Gender Bias and Resistance to Female Authority in Gen Z Workplaces — with Brody Burgess

• Managing Change Fatigue in Learning Organizations and Its Influence on Engagement — with Emily Gill

This was Dr. Bilderback’s second year attending the conference and her first year bringing undergraduate students to present their research.

Dr. Stephanie Bilderback is pictured below, third from the left, alongside her students.

He Publishes in the Tennessee Educational Leadership Journal

Dr. Hanrui He, Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Specialties, published her paper, “ From Concept to Growth: Building an EdTech Studio for Future Educators,” in Volume 51 of the Tennessee Educational Leadership Journal. The article discusses the establishment of the EdTech Studio at the Eriksson College of Education at Austin Peay State University.

From a leadership perspective, Dr. He shares the journey from a simple idea to a fully operational technology lab. She introduces the studio and its various learning stations, explores the process of securing funding, discusses challenges encountered during and after its establishment, and reflects on lessons learned along the way. The article provides a behind-the-scenes look at the leadership involved in developing the EdTech Studio and offers a roadmap for teacher preparation programs and educational leaders interested in creating similar innovative learning spaces.

Bullock, Dalton, & Short co-author Game On!

Associate Professors Drs. Audrey Bullock, Marylu Dalton (Mathematics Education), and Donna Short (Education) recently co-authored an article in Connected Science Learning, a journal that highlights STEM education experiences that bridge the gap between in-school and out-of-school settings.

Their article, “Game On: Reimagining Science and Mathematics Education in a Playground of Innovation,” highlights a project developed in partnership with The City Forum in Clarksville. The project brought mathematics and science education faculty together with preservice and in-service teachers to develop more than 30 field trip activities for a local family entertainment center.

The attractions—including an arcade, go-karts, bowling, laser tag, putt-putt, a drop tower, a carousel, and an indoor roller coaster—were reimagined as opportunities for students to explore physical science, geometry, and other mathematical concepts. The article describes the collaborative process, sample activities, benefits for participating partners, and practical recommendations for educators seeking to bring STEM learning into schools and communities.

TechBytes sessions provide you with key information and tips on how to better promote academic integrity in testing environments, improve the accessibility of content, and prepare for upcoming changes to our online environments.

Distance Education would be very happy to have you at their first TechBytes of the semester, on September 3rd, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12 noon. Microsoft Teams Registration Required. To register and for more information, please check out our TechBytes page.

What: It is a day that will feature an amazing Keynote speaker, Light refreshments, and a mini wellness fair all around our Suicide prevention awareness efforts. Our Wellness Team would love faculty support in promoting to students & attending themselves! 

When: September 4th, 12pm - 3:30pm

Where: MUC Ballroom

Health and Counseling is available to provide presentations on various topics for your class. Presentations cover a range of topics, including stress management, physical and mental well-being, and bystander training.  

To request a presentation, please complete the form at https://www.apsu.edu/wellness/. 

For questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Quianda Harris at harrisq@apsu.edu or Jill de Graauw at degraauwj@apsu.edu. 

Quest Diagnostics will be on campus September 10, 2026, to provide onsite health screenings for employees participating in the health insurance program. Appointments will be available from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and will be held in the Morgan University Center (MUC), Room 103C.

   --Participants can register by visiting Sharecare at http://stateoftn.sharecare.com. Registration instructions will be provided separately.

   --Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to schedule your appointment as soon as possible to secure your preferred time.

The health screening is part of the Partners for Health Wellness Program and qualifies for cash incentives. APSU employees enrolled in a health plan can earn up to $200 in as little as 10 minutes by participating in the onsite screening.

NOTE: If you are not enrolled in a health plan through APSU, you are not eligible to receive incentives through the Wellness Program.

Join us for the return of the Govs Creative Arts Festival, a free community event for all ages, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Downtown Commons!

The event is a collaborative effort between the College of Arts and Letters, the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, the Community School of the Arts (CSA), and Clarksville-Montgomery County Parks and Recreation.

We’re excited to introduce a new International Faculty Affinity Group, designed to create a welcoming space for faculty from around the world to connect, share experiences, and build community at APSU. The group will provide opportunities for conversation, professional connection, and mutual support around the unique experiences and perspectives of international faculty.

We look forward to building this community together and welcome anyone interested in participating.

Facilitated by Dr. Amanda Patrick, Associate Professor of Sociology

Would you like some help integrating AI into a course you're teaching this semester?  Ask one of the AI Faculty Mentors in your College!  These faculty were chosen by your Deans and have already shown creative approaches to
utilizing AI in the classroom.  

Rather than serving as technology "enforcers" or authoritative experts, our AI faculty mentors serve as trusted guides, collaborators, and pedagogical partners who support faculty in making informed, values-aligned decisions surrounding AI use in higher education. CAFE hopes this initiative will help faculty build confidence with AI while recognizing that meaningful AI integration is best supported through shared learning, collaboration, and community.

Full Spectrum Learning (FSL) at Austin Peay State University is seeking opportunities to connect with faculty and students through brief classroom visits or informational sessions. FSL is a degree-seeking support program for students on the autism spectrum, offering academic, social, executive functioning, and career transition support.

These visits help raise awareness of available resources and ensure students who may benefit know how to access support. Faculty and staff are invited to suggest courses or class times for an FSL visit. Scheduling is flexible, and questions or requests for more information are welcome.

For more information or to invite FSL, please contact Tom Spence.

Explore these short tutorial videos designed to help faculty and staff become familiar with the core features of the AP Navigate platform. Each video provides clear, step‑by‑step guidance on essential tools such as viewing student profiles, submitting alerts and referrals, documenting meetings, and managing availability. These resources are here to support your work and help you use Navigate confidently to promote student success.

Distance Education has updated its website with a Digital Accessibility Basics page that includes accessibility video recordings. It offers more resources and guidance than ever before! 

Direct links:

Digital Accessibility Basics

Accessibility Training videos 

Dr. Christi Maldonado is one of two new additions to our CAFE Advisory Board. She is Associate Dean for Assessment and Accreditation for the COE and an Assistant Professor and the Graduate Coordinator for the Educational Leadership Studies program in her department. She will be starting her 5th year at APSU this year!

When asked why she wants to serve on the CAFE Board, she said, "As an educator and previous K-12 school leader, I have a strong interest and passion for learning 

and specifically, for professional development. I think that ongoing learning and self-reflection is how professionals continue to grow and adapt to our continuously evolving world. When I made the career shift from K-12 schools to APSU, CAFE was integral to developing my understanding of faculty expectations, resources, and even the unspoken cultural nuances of higher education. In those first two years, I took advantage of many learning opportunities through CAFE and these experiences helped me gain my footing in higher education and APSU. I want to support that continuing work for faculty across campus by serving on the CAFE Advisory Board."

"As a Clarksville native, APSU is part of the fabric of this community and there are many things I love. Now that I work here, I love the people here. My colleagues and everyone I’ve worked with across campus show up every day focused on student success and making this community better. That is one of the things that make us special."

Her favorite hobbies are reading (often audiobooks these days), cooking, and spending time with her family. She also loves to be anywhere near a beach and the ocean! Her favorite movies include Pulp Fiction & Elf.

Dr. Catherine Haase was recently named the recipient of the Hawkins Award! Here is a little more about her and her accomplishments. 

Dr. Haase is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Austin Peay State University and a Principal Investigator in the Center of Excellence for Field Biology. 

Her research lab focuses on understanding how animals respond physiologically and behaviorally to environmental change and how those responses affect their survival, habitat use, and population dynamics. Her research has spanned multiple mammal species, including moose, gray wolves, and manatees, and currently focuses on bats and small mammals. She received her B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Unity College in Maine, her M.S. in Conservation Biology at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and her Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida. Dr. Haase did her postdoctoral research at Montana State University studying the energetics of white-nose syndrome in western bat species. She currently resides on the Board of Directors of the North American Society for Bat Research and is the faculty advisor of the APSU Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society. 

“My favorite thing about teaching at Austin Peay is the opportunity to work closely with students and watch them grow into scientists. I love being able to take students beyond the classroom and give them authentic experiences: conducting research, collecting and analyzing real data, presenting their work, and learning how to think like scientists. At APSU, I can get to know my students as individuals, understand their goals and strengths, and help them discover what they are capable of. Some of the most rewarding moments of my career have been watching a student who didn't initially see themselves as a scientist develop the confidence, skills, and curiosity to pursue a career in science.” 

Join us in congratulating Dr. Haase!

Did you know all our 2026 Faculty Conference "The Value of Higher Education: 100 Years of APSU" presentations and many other pre-semester presentations are posted on our CAFE website?

We hope you enjoyed our Annual Meeting keynote speaker and workshop with Dr. Todd Whitaker! 

Find his presentation slides here.  

100 years in the making.

Monday, April 26, 2027, at the Evans Harvill Quad.

Trust us, you'll want to be there.

by Rosario Ceballo

published August 19, 2026

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! 

Do you have an event that you would like promoted in CAFE's bi-monthly newsletter?

Feel free to email us at cafe-fac@apsu.edu with the information. We will review it and inform you if the request is appropriate for the CAFE audience.