Need help transitioning out of holiday mode before the Spring semester? Looking for ways to keep Winter class momentum rolling? Plan to attend Faculty Fusion!

• When: January 15, 2025 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm  
• Where: The Foundation (202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA)   
• What: An in-person set of three interactive panels covering hot topics to help you prepare for the new semester.  

Each session will include 30 minutes of presentation from a panel of WCU faculty experts, followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and table conversations with your peers. Coffee and lunch will be provided.

Schedule

09:00 – 09:10: Welcome  
09:10 – 09:40: Panel 1 – Innovative Teaching, Impactful Research: Transforming Classroom Practices into Scholarship    
09:40 – 10:00: Table Dialog   
10:00 – 10:10: Break 
10:10 – 10:40: Panel 2 – Fostering Student Agency, Ownership and Leadership 
10:40 – 11:00: Table Dialog 
11:00 – 11:10: Break 
11:10 – 11:40: Panel 3 – Matching Accommodations to Reality: Strategies to Help Faculty Meet Student Needs  
11:40 – 12:00: Table Dialog 
12:00 – 12:40: Lunch and networking 
12:40 – 12:55: A conversation with Jade Burris, 2022 E. Riley Holman Memorial Faculty Award Winner
12:55 – 01:00: Closing

If the University has a 2-hour delay, events will start an hour later and the third panel will happen after lunch.
If the University is closed for weather, Faculty Fusion will take place on January 16.

Panel Details

Panel 1: Innovative Teaching, Impactful Research: Transforming Classroom Practices into Scholarship 

This dynamic panel will explore how innovative teaching can serve as a foundation for scholarly research. Experienced faculty members who have successfully turned their innovative teaching methods into impactful research will share their experiences, as well as strategies for: identifying research opportunities within their teaching, designing studies around instructional innovations, and navigating the process of publishing pedagogical research. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or new to the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), this panel will offer actionable insights on bridging the gap between teaching and scholarship, allowing you to amplify your classroom impact while advancing your research portfolio. 

Panelists

• Kelly Fisher, Management
• Kim Johnson, Mathematics
• Christopher Roemmele, Earth & Space Sciences
• Alessandra Sarcona, Nutrition
• Nancy Barker, Nursing (moderator)

Panel 2: Fostering Student Agency, Ownership, and Leadership

This panel explores strategies for encouraging active student participation– from preparing course materials to leading group projects—to foster deeper engagement and a sense of ownership in the learning process. Hear from a diverse set of faculty experts on the strategies and techniques they use to engage students in the learning process.

Panelists

• Adam Rainear, Communication & Media
• Emily Southerton, Educational Foundations & Policy Studies
• Elizabeth Urban, History
• York Williams, Special Education

Panel 3: Matching Accommodations to Reality – Strategies to help Faculty meet Student Needs

In this panel, we’ll explore how faculty can effectively address a variety of formally and informally requested accommodations. This session will provide practical strategies for balancing student needs with classroom challenges, such as managing deadlines and expectations. Join us to gain valuable insights on how to create an inclusive learning environment and promote student success! 

Panelists

• Angela Guerriero, Music Education and Music Therapy
• Jacqueline Alnes, English
• Aaron Spector, Office of Educational Accessibility

Call for Panelists

Are you interested in being a faculty panelist or moderator for one of our topics? Complete the call for interest form by Sunday, November 24, and a member of the TLC staff will reach out to learn more about your expertise and ideas.