September 2020
AAN NEWS & NETWORKING
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Settling In and Getting Connected
On behalf of all of us with the Academic Advancement Network, we want to thank the many attendees who participated in New Administrator and New Faculty and Academic Staff Orientation in early August. As our first foray into online orientations, we join so many of you who need to think differently about how to bring people into new roles and the university at this very unusual time, how to disseminate information needed in those first weeks, and how to begin – even with little steps – to introduce important people and resources who may be...( read more)
Best wishes,
Marilyn Amey
Interim Associate Provost for Faculty and Academic Staff Development
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Learning Communities are Spaces to Explore Ideas in Education, Teaching, and Learning
"Being a part of the Learning Communities at MSU has been a wonderful experience. Within our community we have had the opportunity to share ideas, brainstorm solutions to challenges commonly faced, and expand our thinking with individuals from a wide variety of departments. I have deeply appreciated being a part of this new campus-wide community and having a space to connect with faculty and academic staff in similar positions to my own. Seeing what the other Learning Communities are doing has helped with inspiration for our own progress," said Mary-Anne Reid, a Learning Community co-facilitator.
Learning Communities are self-organized, safe, and supportive spaces for faculty and academic staff to address complicated questions of curriculum and pedagogy. Michigan State University has supported these initiatives since 2004, and continues to do so through a funding program administered by Academic Advancement Network in collaboration with the Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology.
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Invest in Yourself with MSU’s Access to NCFDD
MSU continues to invest in an institutional membership with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD). The NCFDD is an independent professional development, training, and mentoring community for faculty members, academic staff, postdocs, and graduate students. In our current situation with limited in-person interactions, MSU’s institutional membership with the NCFDD opens up many online resources for all academics at the University. Included in the membership is access to writing groups, online modules, and webinars on a variety of topics relevant to academic life.
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Simmons Chivukula Award for Academic Leadership Nominations Due by October 8
The award is for exemplary work in academic leadership at the ranks of: department chair, school director, assistant dean, or associate dean (individuals must be currently holding one of these positions at the time of nomination). An individual will be selected annually on the basis of consistently demonstrated excellence in academic leadership, including the dimensions of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
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AAN Virtual "Coffee Hour" @Zoom Webinar
Whether you are a new member of the MSU community or someone with years of experience here, there are times when a faculty or academic staff member looks to talk about career issues with someone who understands academic work in its many forms. The staff and node leaders of the Academic Advancement Network are here to be that sounding board as you create a successful academic career here. We invite you to stop by our virtual “Coffee Hours” to discuss aspects of academic work that are on your mind. Drop-in for a quick question, to engage in conversation instead of just email, to set up a consultation, or to inquire further about the many activities and opportunities offered by AAN throughout the year. Each session will be facilitated by a different AAN leader but you can come by to ask any of us specific or general questions. We look forward to seeing you!
Fall 2020 “Coffee Hour” Meetings for Women Chairs and Directors
The series of meetings for women chairs, school directors, and associate deans from non-departmentally organized colleges and directors of academic programs similar to departments/schools will continue this fall. While these meetings have traditionally been held over the lunch hour, this semester we plan to host these as virtual “coffee hours”. These sessions are designed to be informal gatherings to allow for discussion, peer mentoring and problem-solving. There is no set agenda and our hope is that these events will provide an opportunity for you to network with other women in similar positions across campus.
Leadership Institute Series
This is a series of 90-minute sessions designed to expand upon topics introduced at New Administrator Orientation. These sessions are required for department chairpersons, school directors, and associate deans of non-departmentally organized colleges within the first two years of their appointments; all other administrators are encouraged to attend sessions they would find useful.
MSU Dialogues Fall Registration Open Now
Strengthen your capacity to create inclusive, equitable learning environments inside and outside of the classroom.
“MSU Dialogues is a great way to connect with faculty/staff that you would not interact with on a day-to-day basis. We engaged in critical discourse and we're willing to learn with and from one another even when dialogue was challenging. The dialogue space provided us with the opportunity to constantly reflect on how to incorporate DEI into our pedagogy and work and held us accountable to following up on that implementation. This is an experience that all faculty/staff should be required and encouraged to participate in.” -Past faculty/staff participant
MSU Dialogues is an 8-week intergroup dialogue experience for MSU students, faculty, and staff offered through the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives. The program is offered as part of MSU’s greater efforts to support students, faculty, and staff in creating more inclusive and equitable learning environments. Based on your availability, you will be placed in a group who you will meet with each week for 1.5 hours. Throughout the semester, you will engage in dialogue with people from a wide range of identities and backgrounds, learn about historical and present day social injustice, and collectively explore ways of working toward greater equity and inclusion.
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Each August, we offer an orientation for all tenure-system faculty, fixed-term faculty, and academic staff. This year’s program consisted of both synchronous and asynchronous portions to provide you with the lay of the land, acquaint you with others in your peer cohort, and give you a network of resources for your support. those who attended can still access resources on the D2L site.
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Michigan State University is a large and diverse institution hosting a variety of climates and cultures. Understanding and navigating these cultures can sometimes be challenging, so this list of resources is provided to increase awareness of the opportunities for learning and growth that are available to enhance our community and those that engage with it. It is the responsibility of everyone at MSU to contribute to an academic environment that welcomes every individual and respects their unique talents as we all work toward preparing future generations of Spartans.
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Impacts shared about another educator
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Ph.D. student
Department of
Political Science
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"Kesicia is so smart, kind, and respectful. She is inclusive and strong and serves as a mentor to our newest students of color. She is constantly empowering other students who feel out of place in the academy and creating space for them to shine. When some students -- especially her more junior peers of color – feel isolated and feel imposter syndrome, she goes out of her way to remind them that they have earned their space in the discipline and reminds them that they have so much to contribute. Our department is trying so hard to build a minority politics initiative, and without Kesicia and her persistence, encouragement, and participation, we would be a much worse group and department. She kills people with kindness, is genuine, constructive, and empowering. I am so proud to have her as a student in the discipline. I have yet to meet someone as inclusive and encouraging as Kesicia."
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