Dear Faculty, Administrators and Staff,

As we find ourselves in the midst of Spring Break, I hope this week is offering you a meaningful opportunity to pause from the steady rhythm of the semester. Whether you are traveling, spending time with family and friends, catching up on reading, or simply enjoying a quieter campus, I hope these days provide genuine rest and renewal.

The work of our faculty, staff and administrators is both demanding and deeply important. Moments like this are essential – not only for restoration, but also for reflection as we look ahead to the second half of the semester with renewed focus and energy.

For those who remain on campus or continue essential responsibilities this week, please know how much your presence and dedication are appreciated. Your work ensures that our students and our University continue to move forward even during quieter periods.

I wish you continued rest and safe travels for the remainder of the week. I look forward to reconnecting as a community when classes resume.

Sincerely,
Erik

Seton Hall is excited to launch a six-part video series inspired by the guiding values that are at the heart of our strategic plan. The first video highlights how purpose and resilience shaped senior Lucas Brasil's life, and how those same values were deeply rooted in the life of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Watch the video.

Students, faculty and administrators are invited to submit abstracts for the 30th Petersheim Academic Exposition, a week-long celebration of scholarly achievement across the Seton Hall community. Please help us spread the word among students—including that presenting at the Expo offers eligibility for a Student Travel Award to support presentation at a conference. Abstract submission is open through Friday, March 13. Interested in hosting an event? Take a moment to complete the Event Form.

Monday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Faculty, staff and administrators are invited to celebrate the blessing and grand opening of its new Innovation Hub, located in the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center on the ground floor of Walsh Library, on Monday, March 23. The event begins with a 10 a.m. showcase of the Hub’s cutting-edge resources, followed by an 11 a.m. blessing led by University President Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly. Following the ceremony, guests are encouraged to remain for light refreshments, guided facility tours and an afternoon Hub Showcase. Registration is not required, but encouraged.

Thursday, March 19, 6 – 9 p.m., University Center’s Event Lounge.
Performances by faculty, staff and students. Admission to the show is free; donations will be collected during the evening with all proceeds going to support DOVE’s annual student service trip to El Salvador. If you’re interested in performing, please contact Debra Zinicola or Mary Balkun.

Visit Walsh Libraries’ Leisure Collection During Spring Break

Looking for something to read while you recharge this week? Find your next great read for Spring Break in Walsh's Leisure Collection. Located on the second floor of Walsh Library, there are hundreds of new books for in-house browsing and check out with a Seton Hall ID card. There are almost 1300 titles ranging from new memoirs to bestselling fiction novels. These books are perfect for a long trip home, a staycation near campus, or anything in between. Find a full list of titles here.

Lorene Cobb Receives University Research Council Award

Lorene Cobb, Ph.D., assistant professor at the School of Health and Medical Sciences, received a University Research Council award for the project titled “Virtual Worlds and IHS campus.” The purpose of her study is to assess the perceptions of students and healthcare professionals regarding VR AI avatar case authenticity when using the HeyGen AI platform. Specifically, participants’ perceptions of the level of verbal and nonverbal communication in HeyGen’s VR AI cases will further inform educators in the development of realistic and meaningful learning experiences.

Exploring AI Tools in Compass: Supporting Students & Saving Time

Additional examples and resources are available for those interested in learning more.

⭐ Compass Super User of the Week
This week, we’re highlighting, Victor Velarde-Mayol, in the School of Theology, for being an early adopter of AI tools in Compass. By exploring new ways to use AI-supported features, you can streamline outreach, prioritize student support, and save valuable time—while still keeping meaningful, personal connections with students at the center of their work. Thank you, Victor, for your willingness to explore, innovate, and model how thoughtful use of AI in Compass can support both faculty efficiency and student success!

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.

Archives Salon
Alternating Wednesdays starting March 4, 3 p.m.
Stop by the University Archives, lower level of Walsh Library, to see what they're up to, share your research interests, and enjoy a cup of tea.

Getting Started with Google NotebookLM
March 10, 10 - 10:45 a.m., in Teams
Speaker: Christopher Tienken, professor of Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Kata Holos Faculty Lunch
March 11, 12 – 1 p.m., University Center 201 (registration required)

Faculty Retirement Group Talk: Prof. Judith Stark
March 13, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Fahy Hall Room 307

Faculty Lunch Time Meet-ups
March 11, 12 – 1 p.m., Kata Holos Faculty Lunch (UC 201)
March 18, 1 – 2 p.m., Faculty section of the Pirate Dining Room

SHU Meditates
March 12, 12:30 – 1 p.m., in Teams

Faculty Learning Communities:

These are opportunities for engagement as well as personal and professional development; participation can be as time permits.

CFD Podcast: Faculty Matters

CFD Videos

From Skill Building to Inclusive Course Design 
March workshops offered by the TLTC focus on strengthening technical skills while advancing equity-centered course design and student learning. All sessions are held in the Exploration or Maker Studio within the Innovation Hub.

Upcoming TLTC Workshops:

Using Virtual Reality to Strengthen Public Speaking Skills 
VirtualSpeech is a virtual reality training platform that enables students to practice presentations in realistic settings while receiving real-time feedback on pacing, eye contact and delivery. Faculty can incorporate immersive simulations to strengthen communication skills across disciplines. Experience virtual reality at an upcoming Open Lab.

Reinforce Presentation Practice with PowerPoint Speaker Coach 
PowerPoint Speaker Coach offers another way for students to rehearse presentations and receive automated feedback on pacing, filler words and clarity. Encourage its use before live or recorded presentations to build confidence and refine delivery skills. Learn how to use PowerPoint Speaker Coach.

View and Restore Page History in Canvas 
Canvas Page History allows instructors to see when course pages were edited and restore a previous version if content was changed unintentionally. Note that edits within HTML or CSS code are not tracked, and only instructors can restore prior versions. Learn how to view and restore page history in Canvas.

Big East Research Symposium
The BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium takes place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. We invite you to stop by the Regents Suite in Presidents Hall on Monday, March 9 at 12 p.m. to see our students' presentations and help cheer them on.