This Center for Faculty Excellence newsletter includes:
Upcoming Opportunities – a curated list for new faculty
Student Services Spotlight – to help you support your students
UNO: Did You Know – an interesting tidbit to help you learn more about UNO
Dr. Connie Schaffer
Director, UNO Center for Faculty Excellence Professor, Teacher Education Department
I want to start by taking the opportunity to say – WOO HOO! You made it through fall 2023. If this was your first semester on campus, it was likely both exhilarating and exhausting. If you’re in your second year at UNO, I hope you were able to add to your repertoire of familiar processes and people through new and exciting opportunities. Regardless of your time at UNO - congratulations, breathe and enjoy your accomplishments. (Make sure you read to the bottom of the newsletter where you will find a list of free UNO wellness activities for faculty.)
A big part of ending the semester is getting your course evaluations (FAQs available here). While student evaluations do have limitations, they may provide helpful information as you move into the spring semester. Consider these suggestions as you review your fall results:
Identify and celebrate what went well for students.
Look for reoccurring themes or patterns that emerge across courses or semesters.
Divide potential areas for improvement into the following categories: 1) I can make an easy/quick change before the spring term. 2) This will take some time/effort for me to address. 3) I will need assistance or support (i.e., from a chair, mentor, CFE, or Digital Learning). Then decide where you want to act.
If you’re looking for teaching support, it’s not too early to register for Spring TABS (application deadlines: February 14, 21, and 28) or a teaching observation (earn $300 in professional development funds). Both of these can help you enhance your teaching and are an important addition to your promotion and tenure file.
Other opportunities to help you prepare for spring include:
AI Panel Discussion – Detection tools, syllabus statements, and more, Jan. 18, 1-2
UNO Student Legal Services provides advice, consultation, and representation to students. Services are free and confidential. Under its director, a licensed attorney, the office assists students with landlord/tenant issues, credit card/loan debt, name changes, traffic violations, misdemeanor charges, simple immigration questions, establishing a LLC, wills, and uncontested divorces/custody cases.
All you need is your Mav Card to access wellness-related activities and to use the Recreation Center (for free!) over the winter break and J-session. You might like to try:
Rock climbing – free shoe rentals, Jan. 2-5.
Pickleball happy hour – Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5, H&K 201
Weekly group fitness classes – including yoga, cardio, strength, and stretching classes (see full schedule here).
University of Nebraska at Omaha, Center for Faculty Excellence, 6401 University Dr, Criss Library 320, Omaha, NE 68132, unofacdev@unomaha.edu
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.