Dear Faculty, Administrators and Staff,

The University Rank and Tenure Committee is arguably one of the most important and prestigious committees to serve on, and I would like to sincerely thank our colleagues that have committed to serving this year.

The following constitutes the membership of the 2023-24 University Rank and Tenure Committee:

College of Arts and Sciences
Alexander Fadeev, Ph.D. 
Dongdong Chen, Ph.D. 
Amadu (Jacky) Kaba, Ph.D.

Stillman School of Business
Hongfei Tang, Ph.D.
Viswa Viswanathan, Ph.D.

College of Nursing
Josephine DeVito, Ph.D.

School of Diplomacy and International Relations
Benjamin Goldfrank, Ph.D.

College of Human Development, Culture, and Media
Sandra Lee, Ph.D.
Renee Robinson, Ph.D.
Deirdre Yates, M.F.A.

University Libraries
Alan Delozier, D.Litt.

As outlined in the Faculty Guide, the University Rank and Tenure Committee is an eleven-member committee that shall meet with the provost no later than December 20. Accordingly, the Committee will meet with the Provost in November.

Sincerely,

Erik

William Connell, Ph.D., Professor of History and La Motta Endowed Chair in Italian Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, had the privilege to partake in a compelling interview on Think Tank with Steve Adubato.  The informative discussion about the history and impact of Italian Americans in New Jersey aired this past weekend. The program is now available on SteveAdubato.org, Steve's YouTube channel, MyNJPBS.org, Thirteen.org, the Thirteen Explore app and the NJ PBS app.

We are pleased to announce that our second-year cohort for the ACUE Professional Development Opportunity is now filled and ready to begin! The welcome session is scheduled for September 7. We encourage all registered participants to mark this date on their calendars and confirm their attendance by registering for the welcome session.

The official course kickoff is slated for September 11, and we can't wait to embark on this journey toward instructional excellence with you all. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Cottrell at jessica.cottrell@shu.edu.

Time Machines Project – Experiential Learning for Undergraduates
The Archives and Special Collections Center at Walsh Library has launched a unique initiative, the Time Machines Project.  Five students will be selected to research objects, rare books and periodicals, manuscripts, and other relics during the 2023-24 academic year.  Student projects will illustrate the relevance and importance of their projects using contemporary media. Upon completion of the project, students will receive a $1,000 stipend and can add this project to their own portfolio.  To apply for this program, students must submit a short proposal with the assistance of a faculty member.  All interested students can attend an information session on October 4.

In a BBC Future article, "The Farmers Boosting Crops with Electricity," Jose Lopez, Ph.D., Director, Office of Grants and Research Services and Professor of Physics/Director, Laboratory of Electrophysics and Atmospheric Plasma, talks about how plasma interacts with the growth of seeds and his work as director of the plasma physics program at the U.S. National Science Foundation. Lopez and Alexander Volkov, a biochemist at Oakwood University in Alabama, are among those who have embraced the growing agricultural trend of zapping young seeds with cold plasma in many forms. Read more.

Graduate Open House on Tuesday, October 3
Seton Hall University will host a Fall Graduate Open House on Tuesday, October 3. The program is a wonderful opportunity for prospective students to connect with current graduate students, faculty members, and staff to learn more about their program(s) of interest, as well as get answers to questions regarding the application and admissions processes.

The formal program will begin in Bethany Hall at 6 p.m., a tabling session during which attendees can engage in conversation with representatives of any of the University’s more than 130 graduate degree and certificate programs.

Given the essential role that the faculty plays in and out of the classroom as it influences student thinking and contributes to students’ important choices concerning graduate school, career direction, and vocation, the participation and support of all for this year’s program is, in advance, very much appreciated. Anyone who has questions pertaining to the upcoming Graduate Open House is welcome to reach out to Associate Provost Chris Cuccia directly, or the Office of Graduate Affairs at shugrad@shu.edu.

Follow the CFD blog to find out about upcoming events and initiatives. We also welcome your suggestions for workshops, speakers, and other events.

New CFD webpage: Generative AI: Resources for Faculty

Events

Involvement Fair
Sept. 6, 12 - 3 p.m., University Green
Come by the CFD table and say hello!

Second Annual Humanities Colloquium
Sept, 7, 3:30 - 5 p.m.

SHU Meditates
Thursdays, 12:30 - 1 p.m., in Teams, starting 9/7.

Faculty Lunch-Time Meet-ups
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.; Faculty Section of the Pirate Dining Room, starting 9/13.

Contemplative Community Week
Sept. 18-22, both in person and in Teams. 
The full schedule will be posted soon.

Faculty Opportunities

Seton Hall Conference on "Civilizational Prospects: Engaging Wicked Problems"
Call for Conference Proposals now open.  

Faculty Learning Communities
The CFD offers a variety of faculty learning communities where colleagues can connect, share ideas, and provide/receive support about subjects of common interest.

For additional information about any of the above, contact Mary Balkun.

What is AI and How Does it Impact Higher Ed Instruction?
Join the TLTC on Tuesday, September 12 at 1 p.m. for a remote session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on higher education. The discussion will include an overview of popular AI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Google Bard, and examine ethics, plagiarism and methods for evaluating student work in light of AI technology. Register for the AI workshop.

Unlock Creativity with Real-Time Collaboration
Collaborating on the same project at the same time has never been easier! With new co-editing features in Adobe Express, you can enable your students to work together in real time, leave comments, and practice peer-to-peer reflection. You can also track students' progress and provide feedback inside the app to encourage growth. Learn more about the Adobe Creative Cloud.

Remote and In-Person Canvas Trainings
The TLTC offers a robust schedule of in-person and remote Canvas training opportunities. These sessions help instructors prepare for teaching in Canvas by exploring best practices for maximizing Canvas tools and features! View the full Canvas information session schedule.

Reminder: RSVP to Faculty Convocation on Friday, September 22
Faculty members and a guest are cordially invited to the 2023 Faculty Convocation on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 4 p.m. in the Event Room, University Center. A reception will immediately follow in Bethany Hall. This special event welcomes new faculty to the University and recognizes faculty being honored for promotions and tenure.

Please RSVP using this form. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

New Exhibit: The Walsh Gallery presents WSOU at 75
WSOU at 75: The Voice of Seton Hall, an exhibit celebrating the people and events that have made WSOU one of the most distinguished college radio stations in the United States for the past 75 years, will open on Wednesday, August 23 with an opening reception on Wednesday, September 13 from 4 – 6 p.m. The exhibit is co-sponsored by the Monsignor William Noe Field Archives and Special Collections Center, the Archives of the Archdiocese of Newark, WSOU, and the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media. Learn more about the exhibition.