v.11 i. 2

A Panel Discussion with Professors Jane Greer, Virginia Blanton, and Jeff Rydberg-Cox

Monday 10 February 2:00 - 4:00 PM | CAFE Conference Room

The Curators’ Distinguished Professorship is the highest academic honor awarded by the University of Missouri’s Board of Curators, recognizing scholars whose excellence is widely acknowledged in their fields and across the UM system. In this panel discussion, SHSS Curators’ Professors Jane Greer, Virginia Blanton, and Jeff Rydberg-Cox will share “tricks of the trade” that have fueled their success in teaching and research. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage in an open dialogue, sharing challenges and seeking advice on advancing their own academic goals. By exchanging stories of success and candidly addressing common obstacles, this event aims to foster a supportive and inspiring academic community.

Nominations are now open for myVITA Victory, a friendly competition designed to recognize faculty who effectively showcase their teaching, research, and service in myVITA. Department chairs, associate deans, deans, or faculty themselves can nominate outstanding Vitas for the chance to win prizes, including $100 gift cards for unit winners and $500 stipends with trophies for grand prize winners.

Nomination submissions are due by 5:00 PM on February 28, 2025.

Join us in celebrating faculty excellence at the myVITA Victory Celebration on March 21, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the Faculty Commons! REGISTER HERE

Navigating myVita can be tricky, especially for dental faculty balancing clinical and didactic responsibilities. CAFE Fellow Liaison Luke Wezeman partnered with Susan Halsted, Christine Popoola, Carly Havner, and Alec Zier from the School of Dentistry for a recorded session to tackle common challenges. Together, they broke down key areas like Percent Contribution, Department Adjusted Contribution, and committee assignments, offering clear guidance to help faculty streamline their entries. This model is working at the School of Dentistry... how about your academic unit?

Join Dr. Antonio Byrd this spring for a dynamic series of workshops designed to help faculty navigate the opportunities and challenges of incorporating Generative AI (GenAI) into writing classrooms. Whether you're looking to introduce students to GenAI, design assignments that integrate its use, or address misuse with confidence, these sessions offer practical tools, innovative strategies, and collaborative discussions tailored to your needs.

*All GenAI events will be held in the CAFE Conference Room. Click the linked titles above to register.

By Jill Barshay | From KQED

Notebook or laptop? The surprising science behind how your brain reacts to taking notes might make you rethink your choice. READ THE ARTICLE

CAFE is accepting applications for three UMKC faculty to participate in ncfdd Faculty Success Program. This 10-week online mentoring program, offered through ncfdd helps faculty increase scholarly productivity, manage time effectively, and improve work-life balance. Sponsored participants are expected to engage in weekly online training, group accountability calls, and guided tasks, while also being self-directed and open to feedback. Following the program, participants will submit a brief reflection to CAFE and may share insights with peers at UMKC. READ MORE.

Organized by Gwen Nally and Debra Leiter

As a follow-up to last year's event, CAFE Faculty Fellows for Fun, Gwen Nally and Debra Leiter, organized Faculty Happy Hour at Boulevard Beer Hall on Monday 3 February from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Join colleagues for good times, snacks, and 20% off at the bar. Featuring Roo Brew!

Faculty yoga continues this semester in the Faculty Commons, offering a relaxing way to unwind and connect with colleagues. Join us Thursdays at 5:00 pm in Newcomb Hall, and register to be added to the communications list for updates.

Register now to be added to the communication list.

UMKC faculty are invited to a one-day unconference on the theme of AI in scholarly works to be hosted April 4, 2025 by UMKC Libraries. As an unconference is intended to be highly interactive, 100 attendees will be selected by application. The brief application is due February 21, 2025.

NextGen Precision Health’s PATHWAYS symposium draws on pathbreaking work from across the University of Missouri System to celebrate research collaborations with the potential to impact global health. For more information, contact nextgen@umsystem.edu.

This year’s event will be held at the UMKC Student Union on March 13-14.

IMPORTANT: General registration deadline Friday, January 31

The “Entrepreneurship Innovation Grants” (EIG) program aims to expand entrepreneurship opportunities across UMKC. EIG seeks diversity in the nature and scope of proposals from faculty or staff in academic or other units, centers, or institutes. 2025 grant opportunities focus on Technology Commercialization and Program and Professional Development. Attend a short Zoom meeting to learn more. Download calendar invitations for the informational meetings.

Proposals must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on March 16, 2025. More information and an application form are available on the EIG program website. For questions, please email entrepreneurship@umkc.edu.

Hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., this four-part series explores how a succession of Black migrations have shaped the U.S. From waves of Black Americans to the North — and back South — to immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean, movement is a defining feature of the Black experience.

Watch on Tuesdays, beginning 28 January on PBS. VIEW TRAILER

Join us at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts On Sunday, February 23rd at 2:00 PM, as we celebrate the third annual UMKC Day at the Kansas City Symphony. All current UMKC Faculty and Staff are eligible to receive one ticket at a discounted price of only $12 for this performance. Additional tickets can be purchased at standard prices.

Claim your tickets here: https://kcsymphony.formstack.com/forms/umkc_staff

Celebrate the 75-year legacy of Carter Broadcast, a Kansas City cultural cornerstone, with the premiere of Diamond Jubilee, a documentary showcasing its profound impact on Black culture, civil rights, and the music industry.

Join the journey at Kansas City PBS on Feb. 27 or catch an exclusive screening at the Reel Black Film Fest on Feb. 22.

Newcomb Hall is a secure building. On evenings and weekends, the best way to access the building is to use the south entrance and badge in with your ID at the door and the elevator. If your ID does not work to unlock the door, please remove it from your wallet or bag and try again. 

Please note that there have been several recent incidents involving an unauthorized individual with no university affiliation entering the building. To maintain security, do not allow others to follow you inside unless you are certain they belong in the building. Thank you for helping to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

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