Previous Faculty Workshops

Spring 2021

NCFDD Webinar Series: Turning Chutes into Ladders for Women Faculty: A Roadmap to Equity in Academia

Gender inequities remain pervasive in academia. The COVID19 pandemic has only magnified these inequities. This webinar will focus on the barriers and facilitators to gender equity in academia and highlights actionable strategies for institutions to implement to improve gender equity.

Inclusive Faculty Search Huddle Group

Faculty that are currently participating in search committees are invited to attend. These huddle group sessions are designed to be a space where faculty search committee members can come together and engage with others going through their own faculty searches and discuss best practices, strategies that were successful, obstacles and challenges that you are experiencing, and any questions you may have as you move forward. Feel free to join for the entire session or pop in and out as you please. We are hoping that these sessions will allow an opportunity to hear the experiences of your colleagues as they engage in the process and perhaps support one another as we all strive to select the best possible candidates for these faculty positions.

Picture a Scientist: Virtual Film Discussion

Join the Provost’s WAVE Council, the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center, and the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries for a virtual film discussion of Picture a Scientist . This film chronicles the experiences of three researchers whose careers have been affected in various ways by gender inequality and harassment. This documentary highlights scientific luminaries—including social scientists, neuroscientists, and psychologists—who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable, and open to all. The panel discussion will feature: Janey Camp, Research Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vicki Green, Stevenson Professor of Physics, Nicole Joseph, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Science Education and is moderated by Katherine L. Friedman, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Biological Sciences.

Understanding (My) Bias

Our identities and experiences form the lenses through which we see the world. These lenses create positive and negative biases that impact our decision-making. Before we can disrupt everyday bias in our roles as Vanderbilt faculty, we must pause to understand how our own stories influence the ways in which we navigate the world. This workshop is designed to raise awareness and begin the conversation on how bias can affect us as faculty. Vice Provost for Academic Advancement & Executive Director of the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence, William Robinson, will lead this session.

Self-Compassionate Teaching: Putting on your own Oxygen Mask First

The pandemic has impacted the teaching and learning experiences of both faculty and students. This interactive workshop will provide a space for faculty to pause and focus on themselves. The Center for Teaching will offer an overview of self-compassion and practical ways to apply it to daily life; including a facilitated discussion on how this applies to teaching. Representatives from the Student Care Network will also share helpful resources.

Finance Fundamentals: Organization, Structure, Process and the Numbers

The goal of the session is to provide faculty with finance and administrative tools for success. This session features presentations by Dean Camilla Benbow, Vice Chancellor Brett Sweet, Senior Associate Dean Richard Willis and Kirk Stonecipher, Director of FP&A. Topics include an overview of the University financial statements, budget and capital plan; and a discussion of college-level implications of department-level decisions.

Collaborative Communication Workshop

This workshop led by mediators from MWI, is an exciting opportunity to focus on collaborative communication – to improve academic relationships and enhance productivity. There will be a mix of students, faculty and postdocs participating in the program together. All participants will also receive a copy of Getting to Yes as the foundation of the work we will do together.

Navigating the Online Faculty and Student Factbooks

How has the number of faculty of color changed over time and what does this look like in the different schools? Which countries and states have our undergraduate students come from? Are we seeing more senior female faculty within Vanderbilt? This information is typically provided within the faculty and student factbook. Join the Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (PIE) as they provide an in-depth walkthrough of the updated student and faculty factbooks, exploring data that answer these questions and much more. Faculty will learn how to navigate the online dashboard and interact with the data.

Into the Great Wide Open: Approaching Publishers in the Virtual Now

Without the bustle of conference halls and in-person networking opportunities, it can feel like a difficult time to pitch a book to publishers. In fact, publishers are more eager than ever to build their pipelines and plan for future seasons. This talk will focus on identifying the right publishers to query, developing proposal materials to put your project’s best foot forward, and strategies for how to get your work in front of editors for consideration. Gianna Mosser, Director of Vanderbilt University Press will lead this session.

Chancellor’s Award for Research on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Faculty Scholarship Spotlight

Every Fall, Vanderbilt University recognizes excellence on the part of faculty in published research, scholarship, or creative expression that advances the understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Office of Faculty Affairs will highlight past winners as part of a new Faculty Scholarship Spotlight series. Early- and mid-career faculty are invited to join past winners Nicole M. Joseph, Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning in Peabody College of Education, and Gilbert Gonzales,  Assistant Professor at the Department of Medicine, Health and Society, the Program for Public Policy Studies, and the Department of Health Policy as they present their award-winning research and offer insight into their scholarly practices and processes, the challenges faced and successes gained, and the institutional and personal career impact of their work.

Chancellor’s Award for Research: Faculty Scholarship Spotlight

Every Fall, Vanderbilt University recognizes excellence on the part of faculty for published research, scholarship, or creative expression. The Office of Faculty Affairs will highlight past winners as part of a new Faculty Scholarship Spotlight series. Early- and mid-career faculty are invited to join past winners Jennifer Fay,  Chair and Professor of Cinema & Media Arts, and Cynthia Reinhart-King, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, as they present their award winning research and offer insight into their scholarly practices and processes, the challenges faced and successes gained, and the institutional and personal career impact of their work.

Promotion to Full: A PTRC Insider’s View

The University Promotion and Tenure Review Committee (“PTRC”) reviews school/college deans’ recommendations in favor of tenure or promotion for all candidates in A&S, Divinity, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Owen, and Peabody. The PTRC is charged with deciding whether the proper procedures have been followed and whether the candidate has satisfied the University’s tenure or promotion standards. Former PTRC members will offer insights and answer questions about the process based on their experiences.

Fall 2020

Finance Fundamentals: Organization, Structure, Process and the Numbers

The Finance Fundamental series for faculty continued. The goal of this session: provide faculty, particularly those who receive external grant funding, with finance and administrative tools for success. Topics include a) who’s who within Finance; b) signatory authority and hiring of independent contractors; c) expense reports, purchase requisitions, and other day-to-day transactions; d) overview of CORES, and e) detailed discussion on grants.

Presenters:

Kurt Shepherd, Senior Finance Director, Office of the Provost

Dalana Robertson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Controller

Bryan Ratliff, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration, Peabody College

Cathy Snyder, Director of Contract and Grant Accounting (Cost Activities), Division of Administration

Michelle Vazin, Director of Contract and Grant Accounting (Grants Management), Division of Administration

Mental Health Awareness and Prevention of Suicide (MAPS) Training for Faculty

The Center for Student Wellbeing and the University Counseling Center offered virtual MAPS (Mental health Awareness and Prevention of Suicide) training to interested faculty. In this training, faculty had the opportunity to learn suicide statistics, warning signs and risk factors, and suicide myths. Faculty received training on how they can help, including providing referrals to campus and community resources. Throughout the training, faculty participated in experiential exercises designed to increase their understanding of individuals in crisis. Such experience will assist them in identifying students in need, as well as provide tools for engaging a student who may be depressed, angry, hopeless, or withdrawn. To increase their comfort in a potential crisis situation, they will have the opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills in a role-play facilitated by their UCC and CSW trainers.

Facilitators:

Ciera Scott, Assistant Director for Community Engagement University Counseling Center

Samantha York, Academic Skills Coach, Center for Student Wellbeing

Academic Leadership: A Conversation with Chancellor Diermeier

Kickoff to the Academic Leadership Development series through the Office of Faculty Affairs.

Chancellor Diermeier discussed his thoughts on leading at Vanderbilt and his scholarship on how organizations and leaders can respond in times of challenge and change.

Finance Fundamentals for Academic Leaders

This session was the second part of an overview of finance for academic leaders.

Topics were Oracle-focused and included snapshots of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. There was also a discussion for questions, comments, and concerns.

Summer 2020

We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For: A Faculty Discussion on Injustice in America

Faculty are invited to engage in a conversation on the recent events that again shine a spotlight on the challenges and inequities faced by African Americans and people of color. In our roles as educators, scholars, and stewards of the best ideas and values of a civil society, we can apply our abilities to impact positively the lives of those who suffer from injustice. We also recognize that care is needed for the caregiver, so there is value in offering support to one another. Faculty are encouraged to participate, and ready to hear and share stories and strategies on how to ensure belonging and inclusion within our Vanderbilt community as well as within our circles of influence.

*Suggested pre-session reading: Making Sense of the Senseless*

Rich Milner, Cornelius Vanderbilt Distinguished Professor of Education

William H. Robinson, Vice Provost for Academic Advancement and Executive Director of the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence

Carrie Archie Russell, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education, College of Arts & Science

Supporting Inclusion and Belonging During Covid-19

Faculty are invited to join a conversation with the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence and directors from Vanderbilt’s various identity centers about the challenges and inequities that emerge at the intersection of identity and crisis. Our conversation will consider how the disparate impact of COVID-19 and violence directed at underrepresented minorities can be mitigated in a virtual academic and social experience. Faculty are encouraged to participate, be ready to hear and share stories and strategies on how to ensure inclusion and belonging within many virtual interactions with students, postdocs, staff, and faculty colleagues.

William H. Robinson, Vice Provost for Academic Advancement, Executive Director of the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence

Rory Dicker, Director, Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center

Rosevelt Noble, Director, Bishop Johnson Black Cultural Center, Assistant Dean of Residential Colleges

Discussions on Self-Care During a Difficult Academic Year

The session aimed to provide information, resources, and a place to connect with others around the challenges faculty and postdocs have faced throughout the end of the academic year and into the beginning of summer. Focused on the impact of the recent tornadoes, COVID-19, and persistent racial injustices, Dr. Lauren Dattilo and Dr. Ciera Scott facilitated a conversation on navigating competing demands, experiences of different kinds of grief, and strategies for self-care during these difficult times.

Lauren Dattilo, Clinical Psychologist, Work/Life Connections – EAP

Ciera V. Scott, Licensed Psychologist, University Counseling Center

Finance Fundamentals: Oracle 101

Session provides current and future faculty leaders with finance and administrative tools for success. Topics were Oracle-focused and included snapshots of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. There was a discussion held for questions, comments, and concerns regarding functionality: a) financial reporting, b) human capital management, c) projects, d) procure-to-pay, and e) related.

• Eric Bymaster, Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance
• Josh Vincent, Senior Director, Process & System Optimization
• Amanda Roberts, Director, Learning & Communications Strategy
• Kurt Shepherd, Senior Finance Director, Financial Operations & Planning
• Bryan Ratliff, Chief Business Officer, Peabody
• Patrick Retton, Chief Business Officer, Arts & Science
• Hector Silva, Chief Business Officer, Engineering
• Jane Zubulake, Chief Business Officer, School of Nursing and School of Medicine – OSHE
• Claudia Paz, Chief Business Officer, School of Medicine – Basic Sciences

Maymester 2020

Discussions on Self-Care During a Difficult Semester

This session aimed to provide information, resources, and a place to connect with others around the challenges faculty members faced in the Spring of 2020. It focused on the impact of the March tornadoes and COVID-19, Dr. Lauren Dattilo facilitated a conversation on navigating competing demands, experiences of different kinds of grief, and the stress of Zoom.

Lauren Datillo, Clinical Psychologist, Work/Life Connections – EAP

Finance Fundamentals: Organization, Structure, Process and the Numbers

This session provided current and future academic faculty leaders with finance and administrative tools for success. Topics included a) who’s who within Finance; b) overviews of the finance life-cycle; c) finance-related policies and procedures; d) key departmental roles in Oracle; and e) staff and student personnel issues.

• Eric Bymaster, Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance
• Patrick Retton, Chief Business Officer, College of Arts & Science
• Kelli Fager, Senior Director, Purchasing & Payment Services
• Josh Vincent, Senior Director, Process & System Optimization
• Jennifer Rauch, Program Manager, Employee & Immigration Services
• Eric Smetana, Executive Director, People & Engagement

Accessible Online Teaching

Many faculty had to make quick adaptations during the shift to online teaching.  Incorporating principles of accessibility helped facilitate this shift by drawing our attention to students as users with diverse needs and approaches to learning material. In this workshop on accessibility and online pedagogy, we learned from over a decade of remote learning strategies developed by disabled students, faculty, researchers, and activists, paying particular attention to how providing resources in multiple formats can enhance both synchronous and asynchronous learning. We also made time to workshop and discuss our own pedagogical approaches.

Aimi Hamraie, Associate Professor of Medicine, Health, & Society and American Studies

Conversations for Pre-Tenured Faculty

Tracey George, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, engaged pre-tenured faculty in conversations centered on the tenure period and process in light of COVID-19.

Tracey George, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Charles B. Cox III and Lucy D. Cox Family Chair in Law and Liberty

Promotion to Full: A PTRC Insider’s View

The University Promotion and Tenure Review Committee (“PTRC”) reviews school/college deans’ recommendations in favor of tenure or promotion for all candidates in A&S, Divinity, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Owen, and Peabody. The PTRC is charged with deciding whether the proper procedures have been followed and whether the candidate has satisfied the University’s tenure or promotion standards. Former PTRC members will offer insights and answer questions about the process based on their experiences. This panel will discuss promotion to full. This session is open only to tenured associates.

Sohee Park, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of Psychology

Tracy Sharpley-Whiting, Chair & Gertrude Conaway Distinguished Professor of African American & Diaspora Studies

Gary Sulikowski, Stevenson Chair and Professor of Chemistry

Holly Tucker, Mellon Foundation Chair in the Humanities and Professor in French