Connect with colleagues and talk teaching strategies ahead of the spring semester at Faculty Fusion – Real Talk, Real Teaching.

• When: January 13, 2027 from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
• Where: WCU Campus
• What: An in-person set of interactive panels and workshops covering hot topics to help prepare you for the new semester.

Lunch and coffee provided.

Here is what one attendee said about last year’s Faculty Fusion:

“I really appreciated hearing from everyone about strategies that work and those that do not. It’s very validating to know that the challenges I face in the classroom are not unique. More importantly, having the dedicated time to brainstorm and share ideas is incredibly valuable. A great way to kick off the semester.” 

Schedule

10:30 – 10:40: Welcome
10:40 – 11:30: Panel 1
11:30 – 11:40: break
11:40 – 12:30: Workshops
12:30 – 01:10: Lunch and Networking
01:10 – 01:30: Teaching Excellence Interview
01:30 – 01:40: break
01:40 – 02:30: Panel 2
02:30 – 02:45: Closing

If the University is closed for weather, Faculty Fusion will take place on Zoom.

Call for Panelists, Moderators, and Workshop Facilitators

Are you interested in being a faculty panelist, moderator, or workshop facilitator for one of our proposed topics? Review the proposed topics below and then complete the call for interest form by Sunday, November 1.

The planning committee will create a schedule of events based on submitted interests. Not all topics may be selected for the final program. Panels and workshops are 50 minutes in length. Each panel has:  

• 25 minutes of presentation   
• 10 minutes of audience Q&A with the panel 
• 15 minutes of table conversations with your peers  

Proposed Topics:

1️⃣ Strategies for Teaching Diverse Communities (DIV) Courses  

Explore Diverse Communities courses, from classroom practice and student engagement to how these courses play a pivotal role in students’ educational experiences. Learn how to build classroom discussions, student engagement, course materials, and current events into DIV courses. Whether you are teaching a Diverse Communities course for the first time or have years of experience, we welcome you to join the conversation.  

2️⃣ Strategies for Teaching Writing Emphasis (WRT) Courses  

How are your WCU peers tackling the challenge of writing instruction in our AI-infused world? Join this topic to hear about dynamic strategies and approaches that help build student expertise so they can flourish as robust writers and thinkers.

3️⃣ Course Starters to Spice Up “Syllabus Day”

First impressions are important. Share ideas on how to build excitement and engagement for your course right at the start while still ensuring key syllabus concepts are addressed. Get ready to recharge your “syllabus day” with a host of possibilities to guide you through creating your own course starter menu.

4️⃣ Infuse Career Readiness into Your Instruction

Hear from WCU Career Readiness Faculty Fellows on how they embed career readiness competencies into teaching and scholarship. What strategies are they applying, and what pitfalls can they help you avoid? 

5️⃣ Incorporating Experiential Learning 

Experiential learning is at the pinnacle of the WCU Action Plan pyramid for Getting to Awesome Together. How are your WCU peers incorporating experiential experiences into their courses?  Join this topic to hear tips, tricks, and strategies. Learn how to build educational experiences where students gain knowledge and practical skills.

6️⃣ Propose Your Own Workshop 

Do you have an amazing hands-on, 50-minute workshop idea that will benefit your colleagues? Send us your proposal, and we will consider it for Faculty Fusion 2027.  We are looking for concepts or ideas that apply across disciplines. If you have an idea, but aren’t sure if it would work, schedule a consultation with Tom Pantazes. 

Proposal Form

The proposal form will first ask for your name and email. Then you will indicate which topics and roles you are interested in. The last question asks:

Briefly describe why you would be a good choice to serve in the role(s) and discuss the topic(s) you selected above. If you are proposing a workshop, please provide enough detail for us to get a sense of how you plan to use the 50-minute time period.