We tend to think in academic years around here, but the end of the calendar year is as good a time as any to express my profound gratitude to each of you for your work and for making this year so memorable and welcoming for me.
The past year has been filled with achievements and challenges, and your dedication and resilience has been an inspiration. Your contributions to your departments, programs, centers, and institutes are the lifeblood of our school. Together, we are an extraordinary team, and I am so proud to be your dean.
As the calendar winds down toward 2024, I urge you to take some time for yourselves and to celebrate your successes and reflect on the year that was. Spend time with family and friends, laugh with loved ones, and recharge your batteries for a new year of “Boundless Possibility.”
NEW BEGINNINGS
With a new year comes new beginnings, and perhaps none more so than for people starting in new key roles at SAS.
I am delighted to announce that Peter Christensen has accepted the position of Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs effective Jan. 1. In his new role, Peter will have oversight of our faculty and report to me. He will support retaining, recruiting, and developing faculty, participate in key alumni and advancement initiatives, and be instrumental in our school’s strategic planning.
Many of you will recall that Peter was just last year named the Ani and Mark Gabrellian Director of the Humanities Center, where he has been focused on expanding the center’s research mission. He will continue in that role and split his time between directing the center and overseeing faculty.
I am also excited to announce the addition of Melissa Holmgaard to the school.
Melissa joined us this month as the SAS Human Resources Business Partner, a new position in which she works exclusively for SAS. She has already been effective in helping several of our colleagues. Don’t be shy about directing human resources-related questions to Melissa.
Last, but not least, Menaza Olson will be working as my assistant temporarily in the coming months. Please address future meeting requests to menaza.olson@rochester.edu.
We are no strangers to each other. Menaza assisted me in my former role at Stony Brook. She is a multi-tasking go-getter with impeccable organizational skills. Her help will be crucial to keeping my office in working order as we bid farewell to my current assistant, Michael Cochrane, and search for a new full-time assistant. Starting Jan. 2, Michael is leaving to take on a new role of office manager at the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center where he will be working with student workers, a key career goal for Michael.
Please join me in wishing Michael the best in his new endeavors and in welcoming Peter, Charles, Melissa, and Menaza.
NEED TO KNOW – NOMINATIONS
Phelps Colloquium Reboot
The Phelps Colloquium was created by former Provost Chuck Phelps, who sought to create an informal setting where academics from across the University could interact with and learn about the work of their colleagues in other disciplines.
Although COVID interrupted the colloquium, we are preparing to reboot this series, and continue its tradition of appreciating and celebrating the best work of our faculty colleagues across all the areas of our mission.
We are beginning to organize Colloquia for the entire 2024-2025 academic year, with a possible launch late in the current academic year. I would be delighted to receive your nominations for presenters. As a reminder, the series recognizes scholarship, creative works, teaching, or medicine.
Please send your nominations to me via menaza.olson@rochester.edu by Jan. 19, and include both the name of your nominee, or nominees if a group is appropriate, along with a short description of the topic you’d suggest for their colloquium.
Do You Know an Excellent Teacher?
The Office of the Provost is accepting nominations for the Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.
This award recognizes someone with a record of distinguished undergraduate teaching, typically developed over the last eight years, who has been instrumental in helping less experienced faculty colleagues or teaching assistants master their craft. Check out previous winners here.
Each school may nominate two people for the award. The nomination letter should describe achievements and attributes that illustrate the nominee’s excellence as an instructor inside or outside the classroom. When possible, the letter should also illustrate the candidate’s successes in mentoring.
The award recipient will be honored with a citation at Commencement and will receive a cash prize. Please note that successful nominees are expected to be present at the Commencement ceremony.
Please submit your nominees and supporting documentation to gigi.demita-benway@rochester.edu by Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. A final decision on the awards will be made in early March.
NEWS OF NOTE
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT are changing the higher educational landscape. The following initiatives can help you better understand how AI is being used in educational settings.
Generative AI Teaching Workshop – This workshop will provide a brief overview of the latest trends and practical applications of generative AI, explore relevant teaching and learning principles, and discuss ethical concerns, The majority of the time will be devoted to Q&A. Co-sponsored by the Teaching Center, Academic Honesty, Computer Science, River Campus Libraries, and the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program. Offered twice, from 1 to2 p.m. on either Jan. 4 or 5. Register here.
Generative Artificial Intelligence Group – This group will meet to discuss the implications of generative AI for teaching and learning, as well as to share resources and teaching ideas. In addition to considering how to revise courses in response to generative AI, the group will consider how and whether to integrate generative AI into student and/or instructor work. This group will meet six times in person. Register here.
The Teaching Center is also offering this professional development opportunity:
Transparent Assignment Design Fellowship – Learn how to (re)design non-test assignments to get on-target student work and support first-generation and underrepresented student learning in particular. Instructors who teach courses enrolling SAS and Hajim students can join a teaching group to learn the transparency in learning and teaching (TILT) framework. Over spring semester, fellows will meet in person four times for 90 minutes and will received a $500 non-salary stipend. Register here.
Your dean,
Nicole
