Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center

Thanks to our outstanding faculty presenters at the March TFSC luncheon for non-tenure-track faculty. Samantha Robinson and Don Johnson provided an overview of and update on academic policies related to appointment, annual review, and promotion. Then, Jen Edwards, Chris Estepp, and Shanda Hood (not pictured) facilitated a workshop on the development of learning outcomes. We are very appreciative of our presenters and the support they provide to the TFSC!

Thanks so much to our faculty presenters at the March TFSC luncheon workshop for new faculty. Lisa Bowers kicked off talking about service learning and the possibilities for teaching a service learning course here on campus. Lynn Meade from Student Success--and a former TFSC co-director!--then presented on the value and practice of developing teaching portfolios. We appreciate our presenters and the time and effort they gave to presenting for the TFSC!

For this “Teacher Feature,” we are featuring Tori Ryburn (far right in picture). As a faculty member with the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Tori has taught algebra, trigonometry, finite mathematics, precalculus, and calculus. She currently serves as the course coordinator for Plane Trigonometry, and her office is decorated with her students’ trig-curve artwork projects. She holds the ACUE Certificate in Effective College Instruction, and she has led teaching workshops for both TFSC and the Teaching Academy. Tori is committed to her craft and improving her teaching and student performance. Other math instructors seek her advice on everything from best practices for presenting challenging material to how to handle sticky student situations. Please join us in thanking Tori for her commitment to teaching and learning at the University of Arkansas.? ?? We publish Teacher Feature to recognize faculty who are improving teaching and learning by applying their own new ideas, by applying ideas they have learned from others, by creating new content or courses, or by just being awesome teachers. Want to nominate someone for Teacher Feature? Email your nomination to [email protected]. Be sure to attach a PDF of the nominee’s CV and a one-page-or-less PDF containing an explanation for your nomination. Nominations will be evaluated on a rolling basis.?

Congratulations to the Imhoff Award Winner and Finalists!

Adam Stoverink from Accounting is our February 2025 Cordes Chair. Please join us in congratulating him and thanking him for his many contributions to teaching and learning on our campus.

Our three faculty co-directors serve staggered three-year terms. If you are interested in joining our leadership teams for the 25-26, 26-27, and 27-28 academic years, check out the link.

Read about how the instructor coach program in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is promoting student success

Thanks to our outstanding faculty presenters at the first TFSC luncheon workshop of 2025. Lora Lennertz from the University Libraries kicked off on what faculty should know about copyright and the use of copyrighted materials in the classroom. Jen Veilleux from Psychological Science then presented on strategies for managing emotions and stress in the elusive search for work-life balance. We are very appreciative of our presenters and the support they provide to the TFSC!! And we even got a quick break in the weather on Wednesday for a blue-sky picture in front of Old Main!

Congratulations to our colleagues who were recently inducted into the UofA Teaching Academy!

For this “Teacher Feature,” we are featuring Wendy McBride. As a faculty member with the English Language and Cultural Studies Program, Wendy’s classes are populated with students from different countries, cultures, training, and areas of expertise. Given the students that Wendy’s courses serve, it is important for her to accommodate the needs of each specific group. Accordingly, Wendy adapted material from over a dozen sources to produce a text for the research writing classes that she instructs. Beyond this open access resource that Wendy created, her other classes routinely include reading materials from very current academic journals, magazines, and newspapers. Adjusting the instructional materials and developing her skills as an instructor according to the evolving academic demands of her students is a standard for Wendy. Above all, Wendy values participating in education that is personal, and she strives to support each student on their academic journey. Please join us in thanking Wendy for her commitment to teaching and learning at the University of Arkansas.? ?? We publish Teacher Feature to recognize faculty who are improving teaching and learning by applying their own new ideas, by applying ideas they have learned from others, by creating new content or courses, or by just being awesome teachers. Want to nominate someone for Teacher Feature? Email your nomination to [email protected]. Be sure to attach a PDF of the nominee’s CV and a one-page-or-less PDF containing an explanation for your nomination. Nominations will be evaluated on a rolling basis.?