The Faculty Academy serves as an “on boarding” for new PHHP faculty. A faculty cohort meets once per month during the Fall and Spring semesters. The meetings are typically two hours and lunch is provided.
Overview
The purpose of the program is to:
- Educate new faculty to college and university policies and resources
- Provide general information regarding educational and research best practices
- Foster camaraderie across the college.
Modules
Each session is led by the PHHP Associate Dean for Research and the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs.
Introduction
Program overview and getting to know each faculty
Faculty members discuss the Biosketches they reviewed and get to know each other. Facilitators present an overview of the course and discuss the general theme of the program. This session aims to familiarize everyone with each other’s work and aspirations.
College Resources and Key Personnel
Introduction to resources and key personnel at PHHP
Short 5-10-minute presentations from the following departments/individuals: HR Director, Director of the Grants Core, Director of IT, Director of Marketing and Communications, Instructional Design Studio Manager, Project Manager for Academic Program Support, and Project Manager for the Office of Research.
Mentoring Graduate Students
Notes on mentoring
Mentoring is highlighted as one of the best parts of the job, with practical notes on committee meetings, the role of the PhD committee, leadership, communication, empathy, professionalism, and dealing with struggling students. It stresses the importance of setting clear expectations, documenting meetings, and addressing imposter syndrome.
Learning Theories
Explore educational theories and strategies
The group explores various educational theories and strategies for maximizing learning. The presentation emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate educational technologies and strategies based on these theories. It discusses the paradigm continuum, and how effective instructional design should draw from a broad range of theories and principles rather than adhering strictly to one. We also touch on Bloom’s Taxonomy and the teacher’s role in different paradigms, advocating for a balanced approach to teaching and learning.
Financial Reporting Structure and Purchasing
Managing finances
This topic reviews the University’s reporting structure, including the roles of staff, faculty, deans, chairs, provost, and president. The session includes classes on effort commitments, management, and reporting, as well as purchasing rules, managing effort percentages, cost sharing, sub-contracts, and indirect costs.
Message Design
Designing lectures that engage and resonate
The module emphasizes the importance of effective lecture design that move beyond traditional PowerPoint-driven presentations to engage and resonate with audiences. Facilitators discuss key principles such as incorporating mystery to evoke emotion, structuring lectures as a journey, and utilizing design elements like contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity to enhance visual communication. General takeaways: craft narratives with a clear three-act structure, prioritize meaningful delivery over mere information transfer, and avoid common pitfalls like cluttered slides and distracting animations, ultimately aiming for lectures that are memorable and impactful.
Assessment Learning
Assessments, criterion measurement and assessment measures
The group covers various types of assessments used in educational settings including diagnostic assessments, formative assessments, and summative assessments. We also discuss criterion measurement and different assessment measures, including cognitive selection and cognitive supply. We review test items and their construction, along with a focus on validity objectives and the relationship between validity and reliability in research.
Faculty Activity Report (FAR)/Goal Setting, Faculty Excellence and Advancement (FEA)
Tenure and promotion
This section reviews FEA and associated website. We review the basic requirements for tenure and promotion, including publishing, grants, teaching, clinical work, mentoring, service, and record-keeping. It emphasizes the importance of documenting all activities from day one and discusses mid-tenure and post-tenure reviews.
Faculty Academy Review + Feedback
Program review and opportunity to share feedback
This section will review the topics covered with this cohort as well as provide the opportunity for the participants to provide feedback and ask any follow-up questions.