Faculty Affairs Newsletter
Volume 8 Issue 6
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Accepting Applications for the Director of CAFE
We are excited to announce that the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE) is accepting applications for its inaugural full-time director.
This will be an internal search; details about the scope of responsibility, minimum and preferred qualifications, and how to apply are attached. Applications will be accepted until January 15, 2024, and we anticipate holding search committee meetings with finalists at the start of the spring semester. The appointment will begin over the summer or at the start of the fall 2024 semester.
Questions about the search can be directed to Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Diane Filion, at filiond@umkc.edu.
If you are passionate about faculty development, please review the position requirements and consider submitting an application!
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Accepting Applications for a Faculty Fellow Opportunity
In the Spring of 2024, the office of the Interim Vice-Chancellor for Diversity and Inclsuion will hire one Faculty Fellow. The selected Faculty Fellow will assist the office in the planning of educational events, data collection, and information dissemination.
The selected Faculty Fellow will devote an average of 8-10 hours per week to this role and will attend a weekly meeting with the office leadership.
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Unlock Your Writing Potential with UMKC’s CAFE Faculty Writing Initiative
Hurry! Limited spots available! Apply now for UMKC’s CAFE Faculty Writing Initiative. This unique program is designed to aid faculty members in advancing their writing projects. Benefit from weekly online sessions tailored for goal-setting, progress tracking, and in-depth discussions on effective writing techniques. It's more than just a writing group; it's a structured approach to seamlessly integrate dedicated writing time into your weekly routine. Open to faculty members of all levels, sessions will be held on Tuesdays or Fridays via Zoom. Secure your spot for the upcoming spring semester by registering before December 15, 2023. Registration concludes on December 30th. Led by seasoned writers Dr. Antonio Byrd and Dr. Jane Greer, this initiative guarantees valuable guidance and support.
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Pilot Mentorship Program
CAFE is launching a pilot mentorship program and looking for the first cohort of mentees! The program aims to provide faculty from all ranks with a support system focused on both personal and professional development. The goal of the program is to embody engagement in everyday best practices through building relationships and creating an opportunity for connection. Mentees will be paired with a mentor based on goals and shared interests in areas including development needs, areas of expertise, and preferred amount and method of mentorship communication. Mentee/mentor pairs will meet throughout the spring semester.
If interested in participating as a mentee, please sign up by clicking below.
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Plan to Attend the Spring 2024 CAFE Conference
Friday, January 12th, 2024, Kauffman Conference Center
Please take this opportunity to collaborate with interested colleagues in a conference hosted by the UMKC Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence.
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Keynote: The Three Es of Teaching With AI: Ethics, Equity, and Empowerment
Our Keynote Speaker will be Flower Darby
Keynote description: The advent of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and tools such as ChatGPT present both challenges and opportunities for teaching and learning in higher education. In this session we will explore a range of issues and practical approaches including how to understand what GenAI means for us and our students, the ethical and equity-focused concerns of teaching with AI, how we can encourage students to do their work with integrity, and how we can empower ourselves and our students to adapt to our rapidly changing school and work settings with the skills needed. As we make the case for teaching and learning with AI, we’ll consider strategies and examples across class modalities and disciplines for how to meaningfully do so.
You’ll hear about topics such as:
- The challenges of teaching and learning in an AI age
- The importance of integrating GenAI in our courses despite those challenges
- Three primary considerations to equip our students for academic and professional success
- A range of assignment examples, from more simple to more sophisticated, that span disciplines and course modalities
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Brown Bag Lunch Discussion: Generative AI - Trials, tricks and traps
An open forum to share ideas and talk about generative AI such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, and other tools, and their effect on education. Where are they useful? Where are they an interference? How do we prepare our students for a world where these tools are being used (and misused)?
Date: Monday January 29th
Time: Noon-1
Location: CAFE Conference Room - Newcomb Hall
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Apply to have your Course Observed through the CAFE Peer Observation Program
The Peer Observation Program is in its second year at UMKC and will be conducted in both fall 23 and spring 24 semesters. This program is designed to promote teaching development through creation of a collaborative partnership between the faculty member being observed (the Observee) and a trained Observer. Observees can choose to identify a specific area of focus for their observation or ask for a more generalized observation.
Learn more about the Peer Observation Program.
Applications due: January 29, 2024
Observations take place between Feb. 5 and April 22, 2024
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Join the UMKC Faculty Yoga Series
Faculty Yoga is now meeting every Thursday, 4-5pm, through the end of the semester. Please join us and spread the word!
UMKC Faculty Commons (Newcomb Hall, 3rd Floor)
To register in advance, please make a monetary donation of any amount to the Roo Pantry. Send confirmation to nallye@umkc.edu. You may also register by making a donation in person using cash or Venmo.
Bring a mat, comfortable clothes, and a friend!
This weekly series is led by UMKC Faculty Member and Registered Yoga Teacher (500 hours) Dr. Thiagarajan Ganesh. Classes are Thursdays while school is in session through December 14th. We will resume in late January.
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Navigating Public-Facing Scholarship with Dr. Clancy Martin: Opportunities Beyond Academia
Dr. Clancy Martin is a renowned scholar and University of Missouri Curators’ Distinguished Professor in the Department of Political Science and Philosophy at UMKC. His research spans social and behavioral health ethics, including suicide prevention, addiction treatment, and therapeutic storytelling. With over 10 published books on diverse philosophical topics, he has been featured in prominent publications and won prestigious awards, like the Guggenheim Fellowship.
Dr. Martin encourages scholars to engage with wider audiences through public-facing scholarship, such as op-eds, blogs, podcasts, and community talks. This approach is increasingly valued in academia and job markets, aiding in tenure, grant acquisition, and book contracts. He offers guidance on reshaping academic work, identifying opportunities, refining pitches, and adopting media-friendly writing styles.
To explore this transformative territory, reserve a consultation with Dr. Martin. Simply sign up, share your ideas, and receive a calendar invitation within a day.
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Opportunities to Share with Your Students
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On Campus Internship Program
For the 2023-2024 academic year, UMKC's Career Services has launched a pilot On-Campus Internship Program to provide paid on-campus internships for students during the fall and spring semesters.
All campus departments are invited to request a funded internship position through this program. To be considered, an Internship Job Description form must be submitted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. After a position is approved, the internship will be posted in Handshake for students to view and apply.
Interested in learning more? Visit our website or email careerservices@umkc.edu.
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SI Tutors/Supplemental Instruction Leaders Recruitment
Now hiring SI Leaders and Tutors!
Our application is now open for Supplemental Instruction Leaders and Tutors for the Spring 2024 Semester. We would love your assistance in sharing the application out to students in your respective areas.
In addition, if you have specific student recommendations, you can add them to this referral form and we will reach out to them. We have included a few flyers you could share with your students.
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Roo Network
Roo Network is an online community for UMKC students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Connect with other Roos, explore different career paths, and develop professional connections all in one place! This resource goes beyond the classroom to help students connect with mentors in their field. Visit umkc.peoplegrove.com to activate your account today!
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Career Bridge Program
Career Services is excited to announce the launch of the Career Bridge Program, a fantastic opportunity for faculty members eager to inspire and guide the next generation. We are actively seeking dedicated faculty partners to help us extend its reach, enabling students to acquire essential skills, gain invaluable experiences, and build professional networks essential for success in their chosen careers. For more information contact careerservices@umkc.edu or d.miller@umkc.edu
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