GSC Faculty E-News for August 2018
Granite State College is proud of its outstanding faculty. Whether you are a full-time or adjunct faculty member, you join over 300 individuals who have chosen to help adults in New Hampshire and beyond achieve their educational goals.

Most of our adjunct faculty enjoy active careers in such fields as business management, health care administration, criminal justice and the law, education, human services, fine arts, journalism, information technology, and public leadership. You bring the immediacy of the workplace into the classroom, benefiting students who are already focused on the practical application of their learning in higher education. 
 
While our faculty members are geographically geographically dispersed and bring varied backgrounds and teaching expertise to Granite State College, they have much in common. Our faculty have a passion for teaching in a nontraditional institution with an access mission, the ability to bring knowledge in and enthusiasm for their academic discipline to life, and a real enjoyment of working with our students.

Asked why they teach for Granite State College, many cite a desire to help adults achieve their educational goals. They see teaching and mentoring adults as a way to contribute or give back in a way that is meaningful to them, and the following comment from a fellow faculty member as part of the College's annual Reflective Teaching Analysis activity highlights dedication to our students:

"Each term I am inspired by students who, despite significant
demands in other areas of their lives, demonstrate an
unwavering dedication to their education."

Students tell us that being able to connect with their faculty as subject matter experts is an important part of their success. Many faculty already share their availability with students each term. Beginning with the fall 2018 term, a new “Availability” field will be included in the revised syllabus template to share this information to students. For additional ideas about ways to frame this, please be sure to review the new Faculty Handbook and check out this month's Three-Minute Thursday video by fellow faculty member Dr. Gail Poitrast.

Thank you for all you do to share tips with one another to help our students succeed, and here's to a great fall term!
With regards,

Dr. Scott Stanley, Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs
Engage with Students Via Weekly Virtual Office Hours
New Resources for Faculty Now Available!

Each year, GSC updates its faculty handbook and we are pleased to share that the new edition is available on the Faculty Center website .

The following items were updated in the handbook and are of note for faculty:

  • A new section outlining faculty expectations in regard to availability to students is located on page 12.
  • The Faculty Resources & Expectations guide has been added as an Appendix item for easy reference. This resource includes essential just-in-time resource links.

In addition, we wanted to share an enhanced resource on the Faculty Center: a one-page calendar PDF that outlines key dates that may be handy when planning for teaching.

 
GSC's Career Services offers a variety of workshops and supports for students.

Work experience programs, career exploration sessions, and resume and cover letter workshops are just a few of the offerings available.

Upcoming Highlights:





Select sessions make excellent class activities for students!

 
As we prepare for the fall term, consider how early course assignments - and clear descriptions of expectations and grading - help students and help us discern what coaching feedback our students need to succeed.

These early assignments and clear criteria can help us when submitting Student Progress Reports on behalf of all students each term. A recent Faculty Focus article provides tips about assignment criteria.

As a reminder, the fall term begins on September 24, which is slightly later than years past due to the shift in summer term.

For the latest dates - including courses to be held during Thanksgiving week (no longer a week-long break in term), please review the GSC Academic Calendar .

The Instructional Design Team is always available to help faculty with course design strategies, the Moodle gradebook, and other instructional strategies to help your students succeed.
“A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers.”

~ Helen Keller
DID YOU KNOW?

Active faculty members at GSC may access a the APS Healthcare: Employee Assistance Program. For more information visit:  http://www.powerflexweb.com/1063/login.html (enter company code: usnh) or call 800.424.1749.