Greetings faculty colleagues,

It is that time of year when you may feel as if you are juggling even more than what feels normal. This is the time for mid-terms, course project check-in's, student advising and coaching on everything from the next test to career aspirations, recommendation letter requests, grant proposal deadlines, conference presentations, and the list goes on. We understand! 

As you look ahead to spring break, a reminder that creating space to take a breath and find restoration – even when we feel the busiest – can be essential for maintaining energy levels, as well as a sense of efficacy and possibility.  

And, as you read through our upcoming announcements below, we invite you to find opportunities that inspire you, help you feel connected, and motivate you. Whether that is from reading about and registering for our newly announced Faculty Development Academies, seeing an event that encourages you to cultivate your campus connections, considering an NCFDD webinar, or reviewing the varied awards calls that can elevate the excellent work you do, we hope you find something that excites you and generates that sense of possibility we all need at this time of the year. 

We hope you take a moment next week, and throughout the month of March, to take that well-deserved breath.

Have a great spring break week! 

Amy Mendenhall
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs 
Professor, School of Social Welfare 

Did you know “Ombudsman” is a Swedish term meaning “representative” or “a person who has an ear to the people?” Our KU Ombuds Office is available for anyone in the KU community who is interested in informal, independent, confidential and impartial assistance in addressing conflicts, disputes, or complaints. The Ombuds Office operates within the International Ombuds Association’s professional Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. To better understand the mission and scope of work the Ombuds Office encompasses, refer to the Charter for the University of Kanas Ombuds Office policy. 

Please see the recent email sent by University Governance and complete the Ombuds Office Survey if you have feedback for the office. 

The Office of Faculty Affairs is excited to announce KU Faculty Development Academies! Faculty Development Academies are day-long intensives, focused on a particular topic, giving faculty time to delve deep and develop a core capacity in a chosen area. Participants are welcome to register for as many dates as they'd like. More details about each day can be found on our website.

Creating Public Impact with Your Research
May 13 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Global Engagement
May 14 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Academic Leadership
May 15 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Graduate Student Mentorship
May 16 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Writing to Publish
May 17 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

All Academies days will take place in the Jayhawk Room at the Kansas Memorial Union, with the exception of May 17, which will take place in the 1502 Building conference room and pod spaces. 

Breakfast, lunch and snacks provided for each day. Please register by Monday, May 6.

March 7
3 - 4 p.m.
145 Strong Hall Conference Room

This session will feature leadership from Student Affairs to talk about the successes and challenges our students are facing, as well as provide information about key resources faculty can use to encourage student engagement and belonging.

April 9
2 - 3 p.m.
Kansas Memorial Union, Divine Nine Room

This workshop will feature recently new and experienced faculty to talk about time management best practices and how to plan for a productive summer.

April 3
5:30 p.m.
Kansas Memorial Union, Malott Room

The Office of Faculty Affairs invites you to, “Wouldn’t it be great if … Systematic Screening in Comprehensive, Integrated, Three-tiered (Ci3T) Models of Prevention,” presented by Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor of Special Education, Dr. Kathleen Lynne Lane.

Dr. Lane will provide a look back at the journey of this inquiry, sharing work in progress to meet students’ multiple needs efficiently and effectively, while supporting educator’s well-being.  

Join CTE for this workshop on March 28 from noon - 1 p.m. in 135 Budig Hall. A group of faculty and staff at the forefront of inclusive practices at KU will share their innovations and approaches to disability and neurodivergence inclusion and trauma-informed pedagogy.

Register by March 26. Lunch provided.

The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) invites you to join your colleagues for Rapport. This series is supports campus recruitment and retention efforts by opening opportunities for faculty, staff, and affiliates to network and share opportunities for research, professional development, and social engagement. The next Rapport event takes place April 4 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at The Pub in the Jayhawk Welcome Center.

RSVP for upcoming April 4 event.

This year we are “Taking Time” to engage with KU’s faculty, staff and affiliates. April’s theme is Take Time to Celebrate – we’re close to the end of the academic year, let’s celebrate! Cheers to a successful year and everything it took to get us here.

The next TGIT event takes place April 11 from 4-6 p.m. at the Pub in the Jayhawk Welcome Center and will include light snacks, a cash bar, giveaways, and networking. Please register if you would like to attend.

On April 11, join the KU community at the annual University Research Awards ceremony to celebrate outstanding achievements and contributions in research. Honorees will include the most recent recipients of the following awards: Chancellor's Club Research Award, Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Awards, KU Research Staff & Postdoctoral Achievement Awards, Stephen F. Warren Research Achievement Award and University Scholarly Achievement Awards

All members of the KU community are invited to attend the event, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Jayhawk Welcome Center. Preview the honorees and RSVP on the event page.

This month, NCFDD may have just what you need for a mid-semester pick-me-up! 

Are you looking at the calendar and wondering how the semester can fly by so fast? Thinking about how to support and mentor students as they juggle academics and life? Wanting to create intentional space for writing and project development? You are not alone! Join NCFDD presenters for three timely programs in March and April, and remember that you can sign up as an NCFDD member at no cost! 

CTE: Course Design Institute

KU faculty are invited to attend CTE’s Course Design Institute, a collegial, hands-on program for instructors who want to develop engaging and effective courses for today’s KU students. The CDI is designed to give faculty time, space and support for reflecting on and reimagining their courses to help all students thrive and develop skills they will need for their futures. It takes place May 14-16.

Find more details and apply here by April 1.

Christopher Haufler KU Core Innovation Award

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Christopher Haufler KU Core Innovation Award. This award  honors the creative and forward-thinking work of academic departments in developing or transforming outstanding core courses, assessing the KU Core learning outcomes, and disseminating the assessment as models of excellent teaching and learning. The winning department receives $3,000 that may be used to advance their work on teaching, learning, and assessment. 

Find more details about the nomination process, selection criteria, and examples from previous winners here. Nomination materials or questions about the Haufler Award can be sent to kucore@ku.edu. All nominations must be submitted by 5:00pm on April 8, 2024.

Fulbright US-UK Global Challenges Teaching Awards

Applications are now open for the Fulbright US-UK Global Challenges Teaching Awards (GCTA), supported by AAC&U in partnership with the US-UK Fulbright Commission. The awards tackle four specific global challenges – Racial Justice, Inequality, Climate Change, Polarization, and Division – facilitating engagement between students and faculty from around the world (in this case, the US and the United Kingdom). If you are interested or if you have questions about Collaborative Online International Learning, curricular internationalization, or the application process, contact Megan Greene (mgreene@ku.edu), Provost Fellow for Internationalization.

The Office of Faculty Affairs congratulates Dr. Tadeo Weiner Davis (Social Welfare) on his recent Racial Equity Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Award! This award, organized through the KU Office of Research, supports researchers as they apply their expertise in pursuit of attaining racial equity.

Weiner Davis shares on the Stand Up KC Community Archive: “The support from the Racial Equity Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Award will ensure that the members of this labor movement preserve their memories, experiences, and artifacts on their own terms through the creation of a digital community archive."

See all of the 2023 KU Racial Equity Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Awardees.

The Office of Faculty Affairs was excited to feature Dr. Dorthy Pennington as our January spotlight! Dr. Pennington is an Associate Professor of African and African-American Studies and Communications Studies at KU and was recently honored with the naming of an annual award in her honor.

The National Communication Association African American Communication and Culture Division created “The Dorthy Pennington Legend-in-the-Making Award for Overall Excellence” which is given to an individual demonstrating overall excellence and wisdom. The first “Legend-in-the-Making” honor was awarded in 2023.

Are you receiving the Office of Research's newsletter, KU Discoveries? If not, you may be missing out on important news and research opportunities. Subscribe to the monthly newsletter here.

Below are a few reminders regarding Student Surveys of Teaching for Spring 2024:

Please see our resource page for additional information here.

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