Dear Faculty, Administrators and Staff,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sona Patel, Ph.D., as the Interim Assistant Provost of Academic Excellence and Assessment at Seton Hall University.

Patel has extensive experience in academia, both in the United States and abroad, and has been a valuable member of our university community since 2014. Throughout her tenure, she has made exceptional contributions to the Department of Speech-Language Pathology, demonstrating leadership in assessment and co-developing the Department's current strategic plan. Notably, Patel's pioneering work led to the successful acquisition of federal research funding for the department, and she has maintained a consistent track record of securing internal and external funding, most with substantial allocations to student support, highlighting her commitment to advancing the university's research endeavors.

She has also served in various leadership roles at the university, including the Executive Committees of the Faculty Senate and School-wide Faculty Assembly, Co-Chair of the Academic Policy Committee, Coordinator of the SHE WILL learning community, and the Strategic Plan Steering Committees of the School of Health and Medical Sciences and the University. In her role as director of assessment, Patel has been instrumental in elevating our university's academic assessment, placing the development of robust student learning outcomes at the foundation for meaningful and rigorous academic program assessment.

In her new role, Patel will lead various strategic initiatives to promote academic excellence and continuous improvement across our university community. Academic excellence, under her guidance, embodies the pursuit of exceptional educational experiences, meaningful student learning outcomes, and the development of innovative and impactful research. Patel will continue to collaborate with faculty to address challenges, recognize excellence, and facilitate effective communication, ensuring that academic excellence is not just a goal, but a tangible outcome achieved through diligent assessment and evidence-based decision-making. As a key member of the Middle States Steering Committee, she will also play an instrumental role in the university's accreditation process. 

Patel's expertise and dedication will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the growth and success of our academic programs. Please join me in congratulating Sona Patel on her well-deserved appointment as Interim Assistant Provost and extending her a warm welcome to this new role.

Sincerely,

Erik

In partnership with Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation, Seton Hall hosted 40 high school students from 12 area high schools for two weeks, culminating with a dynamic showcase and pitch competition where student entrepreneurs competed for prizes. Students developed business ideas and pitched them during the final course meeting, when pitch day guests were given a chance to fictionally invest in the concepts. Learn more.

All faculty are invited to the 2nd Annual Humanities Colloquium on Thursday, September 7 at 3:30 p.m., featuring Zena Hitz, Ph.D. Hitz is a tutor at St. John’s College and the author of Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life. The lecture will touch on the meaning and value of learning, the liberal arts and the intellectual life. The first 30 registrants will receive a copy of Hitz's book! Register and learn more.

Back to School Reminders

Please check with your liaison librarian if you have questions about either process.

Hanover Grants Calendar on Student Success
Hanover Research produces a bimonthly Grants Calendar centered on certain funding interests. The latest calendar reviews upcoming grant opportunities focused on Student Success, covering a range of grantmakers. Short-term targets with set deadlines are included alongside longer-term opportunities expected to occur across the next year and beyond. Access the calendar. 

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

Upcoming Events

CFD Workshop: Generative AI/ Prepping for the New Academic Year
Aug. 21, 10 – 11:30 a.m., in Teams

Summer Writing Retreat, Part II
August 22, 23, 24; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Schwartz 112 or in Teams. (Email mary.balkun@shu.edu to register and for the Teams link.)

Write Club
May 30 - Aug. 25; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., In Teams
A continuation of the Summer Writing Retreat, Write Club is a virtual space where faculty can work on scholarship or other projects over the course of the summer. 

New Faculty Orientation
Aug. 15, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., UC 206

Adjunct Faculty Info Session
Sept. 1, 10 - 11:30 a.m., in Teams

Faculty Opportunities
Experiential Learning Fellows 2023-24 
Interested faculty should apply for the program by Tuesday, August 18, 2023, using this link.

Faculty Seminar on Challenging Racism and Teaching for Inclusivity; applications are due by Aug. 14, 2023

University Teaching Fellows Program; applications are due by Aug. 14, 2023.

AI Resources:
4 Steps to Help You Plan for ChatGPT in Your Classroom 

Creative Ideas to Use AI in Education

AI’s Evolution Sparks Questions about Cheating 

Access videos of CFD workshops.

Important Canvas Updates

Fall Course Shells Now Available
Canvas course shells are now available for those who opted into teaching in Canvas this fall. Log into PirateNet and click on the Canvas app to access your course(s). If your course content was migrated from Blackboard, you will need to review and make adjustments to prepare your course for the fall semester. View post-migration cleanup tips. 

Support and Training
In addition to the one-on-one support offered by your instructional design liaison, the TLTC hosts a robust schedule of in-person and remote Canvas training opportunities. We strongly recommend that faculty teaching in Canvas this fall attend an upcoming Canvas Bootcamp.

How To Articles

View the TLTC's fall workshop schedule.