Dear Faculty,
Before the semester comes to a close, I wanted to give you an update and reminder regarding several items that I hope you will find to be of interest.
Last week you received an email describing the final Academic Portfolio Review Process and timeline, which has also been posted here. I’m pleased to announce below the members of the Academic Portfolio Review Task Force and also invite you to attend a town hall to learn more about next steps and the academic dashboards under development. This message also provides information about UNCG’s outstanding success in sponsored research (contract and grant activity) and encourages you to register for one of the Fall 2023 “Talk with the Provost” sessions.
As you are finishing up a very busy spring semester, I hope you find time to reflect on how you continue to make a difference daily in the lives of students. One of my favorite notes from UNCG students was this one shared by our colleagues at UTLC:
“I just wanted to thank you for your encouragement throughout this semester. Your uplifting presence has not only motivated me, but has helped me throughout all of my classes. I have so much appreciation for you, for always providing my peers and I with a safe environment to engage and learn in. The support from you as a professor has made me fall in love with learning again and has given me a push to strive for greatness.”
The expression of gratitude from this student for her instructor is heartfelt, and I know it is widespread on campus.That she finds motivation, a love of learning, and a push for greatness at UNCG is what makes this university special. You make our university special because of your care, connection and commitment to your students. I also know that such motivation is fostered through your creative activity and research endeavors, your community engagement, and the significant service that make UNCG a great institution. Thank you for all you do and best wishes for a restorative and peaceful summer.
Debbie
Program Review Task Force (PRTF) Membership
The Program Review Task Force, chaired by Professor Kelly Wester, has been established, and the following individuals have agreed to serve:
Staff
- Adam Landreth, Director of Online Programs & Advisor, Bryan School of Business and Economics
- Valeria Caviness, University Program Specialist, Office of the Provost
- Melissa Skillings, Assistant Director of Research Integrity, Office of Research and
Engagement
- Karen Blackwell, Director, Institutional Research and Enterprise Data Management
Professional Track Faculty
- Kristen Christman, Lecturer, Communication Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
- Trisha Kemerly, Lecturer, Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies, Bryan School of Business and Economics
- Brad Johnson, Clinical Professor, Teacher Education and Higher Education, School of Education (also representing the Graduate Council)
- Wade Maki, Senior Lecturer and BLK Program Director, College of Arts & Sciences
- Rachel Mills, Genetic Counseling, School of Health & Human Sciences
- Kevin Wells, Lecturer, Media Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty
- Sarah Daynes, Professor, Sociology, College of Arts & Sciences (also representing Faculty Senate)
- Mark Fine, Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, School of Health & Human Sciences
- Heather Gert, Associate Professor and Department Head, Philosophy, College of Arts & Sciences
- Justin Harmon, Associate Professor, Community & Therapeutic Recreation, School of Health & Human Sciences
- John Lepri, Professor, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences
- Stephanie Pickett, Associate Professor, Adult Health Nursing, School of Nursing
- Debra Wallace, Professor, Senior Associate Dean of Research & Innovation,
Distinguished Professor, School of Nursing (also representing the Research Advisory Council)
- Kelly Wester, Professor and Department Chair, Counseling & Educational Development, School of Education
- Ken White, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Visual and Performing Arts
During Summer 2023, the PRTF will work on a rubric to evaluate academic programs for your consideration when you return in the fall.
May 2 Town Hall on Data Dashboards
Please join me at a town hall to discuss the data dashboards being developed by rpk GROUP. During the town hall, rpk GROUP will provide a preview of the elements and defined metrics in the academic dashboards and discuss the next steps. Attendees will also have the opportunity for attendees to ask questions and provide feedback. The town hall is scheduled for May 2, from 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
ID: 360937588
ide conference details
(US) +1 336-790-7381 (toll)
rpk Group will populate the data dashboards, and the PRTF, department chairs, heads, program directors, and deans will have an opportunity to review over the summer. Faculty members will have a chance to review the data when they return in the fall.
External Grant & Contract Activity
Please take the time to review the University’s impressive External Grant and Contract Activity, posted here. The data are provided by the Office of Research and Engagement and the Office of Contracts & Grants Accounting. As you know, these data along with other measures of scholarship will be considered in the program review process. Please note that data are reported at the department/school level because all financial and personnel data systems are organized in this way rather than by program level.
Over the last four years, faculty have brought in an impressive $182.4 million dollars in grants & contracts. These funds supported our outstanding research endeavors and also directly supported graduate and undergraduate education as $17.7 million went to undergraduate or graduate student support and/or waivers. Overall, faculty and staff generated $23.2 million in F&A. Of course, there are many other positive outcomes of grants and contracts awards and our scholarship in general, including your work in the community and your contributions to disciplines.
Fall 2023 Sessions with the Provost
This year I introduced the “Talk with the Provost” series to provide opportunities for faculty-provost dialogue. Once a month, I have hosted an in-person or virtual meeting with a small group of faculty to share experiences and brainstorm ideas for opportunities ahead. The sessions have been well attended and generated critical conversations along with potential strategies. I’ve learned much from these sessions and plan to continue the series in the next academic year.
There is no specific agenda for these meetings. Instead they are an opportunity for you to share with me what is happening in your classes, with your students, and with your scholarship activity and/or community practice and service activities. They also provide an opportunity for you to learn more about what is going on across campus and to ask questions about the direction of higher education generally and about UNCG specifically.
To help facilitate a lively and engaged discussion, the meetings are capped at 10-12 faculty per session. The meeting dates for the Fall 2023 semester include:
- Wednesday, August 30th 3-4pm [virtual]
- Thursday, September 28th 1-2pm [in person]
- Friday, October 27th 10-11am [virtual]
- Friday, November 17th 2-3pm [in person]
- Tuesday, December 12th 10-11am [virtual]
To register, please use this form to sign up for up to three meetings that work with your schedule. This will allow us to try to best accommodate everyone’s busy schedules for one of the meetings.You will receive a calendar invitation with a Teams or physical location confirmation for one of these meetings. I look forward to learning more from you at the fall sessions.