Dear Colleagues,
Homecoming is next week! There are many ways to participate and celebrate our community. This year Wright State University, the Wright State Alumni Association, and Wright State student organizations are celebrating the Raider spirit that connects us all.
The full schedule of events is available at wright.edu/homecoming. I hope to see you!
Revised Teaching Load Policy
As a reminder, faculty are encouraged to review the revisions to Policy 2020 Faculty Teaching Load. The revisions were implemented following an evaluation of feedback from faculty members and an assessment of the prior policy’s impact on both students and faculty. The review and comment period ends at 9 a.m. on February 14. Details about the revisions and a form to submit comments are available at policy.wright.edu/proposed-policy-changes.
Mental Health First Aid Training Dates
Mental Health First Aid training dates for 2025 are now available. More dates will be added as needed to ensure everyone can complete the training, including options for alternative shifts/working times and for Lake Campus.
See the schedule and register at wright.edu/human-resources/mental-health-first-aid-training.
Classes are offered by Wright State University Mental Health First Aid trainers. Classes are limited to 30 participants and must have at least 10 participants.
Mental Health First Aid teaches individuals how to assist and support others who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Classes are conducted virtually and in-person.
By requiring Mental Health First Aid training for everyone, we ensure a consistent and coordinated response to mental health challenges, creating a more supportive environment for all members of our university community. Each participant will be equipped with essential tools and resources to identify and respond to mental health concerns effectively. The training clarifies everyone’s role in providing support and understanding their limits and responsibilities.
The training is grounded in evidence-based practices, demonstrating its effectiveness even for those with prior experience in mental health fields. It provides practical tools and resources that enhance our collective ability to assist individuals in need. This initiative fosters a culture of awareness and mutual support across the university.
Email mhfa@wright.edu if you have any questions.
Green and Gold Admitted Student Days: Faculty Involvement
Throughout the spring semester, the Office of Admissions will host four Green and Gold Admitted Student Days. Your involvement during this time is important and encouraged—your deans and college recruiters can provide ways for you to welcome admitted students and families and help us show them what a welcoming and supportive community we foster.
Green and Gold Admitted Student Days will take place on February 18, March 19, April 4, and April 22.
Associate to Full Professor Mentoring Program
The deadline to apply to the Provost’s Office’s Associate to Full Professor Mentoring Program is this Friday, January 31. Participation is open to all associate professors interested in going up for promotion in the fall of 2025 or 2026. Participation is limited to 15 faculty members and preference will be given to those applicants who have been at the rank of associate professor for five years or more.
Faculty members in the program will receive guidance to develop goals and a timeline for promotion, understand department and college promotion procedures, and construct a promotion dossier. Program participants will have the opportunity to select additional topics based on their interests.
The 2025 program runs from February to October. Selected faculty members will participate in quarterly meetings to discuss the process of promotion and how to overcome barriers to promotion. Participants will also meet monthly with an assigned mentor, based on the faculty member and mentor’s schedules.
Faculty Resources and Workshops
- The Center for Faculty Excellence is pleased to bring weekly tips to your inbox through Monday Morning Mentors. These are quick video presentations with additional materials provided. The presentation and supplemental material for “How Can I Spark and Sustain Engagement in Reluctant Learners?” are available through February 2. To access the presentation, use “sustain843” as the password.
- Wright State Online, in association with the Center for Faculty Excellence, will host workshops focusing on ADA compliance:
- January 31 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.: Video Captioning: Best Practices
- February 14 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.: Compliant Documents: Best Practices
- February 21 from 1:15-2:10 p.m. and February 25 from 2:00-2:50 p.m.: Mapping Program to Institutional Learning Outcomes
- February 28 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.: Alt Text and Images: Best Practices
- March 14 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.: Recorded Lectures: Video Best Practices
- March 21 from 1:15-2:10 p.m. and March 25 from 2:00-2:55 p.m.: Introduction to Academic Program Review
- March 28 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.: Graphic Design: Best Practices
- April 11 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.: Pilot/LMS: Best Practices for Instructional Design and Course Organization
- April 18 from 1:15-2:10 p.m. and April 22 from 2:00-2:55 p.m.: Entering Course Assessment Results
Register for a workshop.
- The Center for Faculty Excellence will continue the Quality Matters (QM) Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR) (7th Edition) Workshop on Friday, March 21, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
This workshop teaches participants the underlying principles behind the Quality Matters Rubric (7th Edition) and the critical elements of the QM quality assurance process. Participants will learn about drafting helpful recommendations as you apply the rubric to an actual course. The effective instructional design principles included in the workshop apply to all learning environments (face-to-face, online, and blended learning). This workshop is helpful for designing and developing courses and for those considering the adoption of a quality assurance process for online and hybrid learning.
The APPQMR is the prerequisite for the Peer Reviewer Course, which is required to become a QM peer reviewer.
The APPQMR Workshop is an eight-hour, one-day online session. To receive credit for completion, participants must attend the entire session and participate in all workshop activities and discussions. Registered participants will receive information about the session—including the Webex link—the week of the class.
Register for a workshop.
Research and Sponsored Programs
- The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will host a webinar on upcoming NIH changes related to the grant review process. This workshop will be facilitated by Hanover Research on Zoom at noon on January 30. Registration is open.
- Hanover Research will host several webinars throughout the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Information and registration for the presentations, which cover a wide variety of research topics, are now available.
- Registration is open through February 13 to present at the Celebration of Undergraduate and Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities event, which will be held on Thursday, March 13.
The event gives students from a wide array of disciplines the opportunity to showcase their academic endeavors. Students will exhibit posters and present discoveries, advances, and scholarly explorations. We encourage students to register to present as it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their incredible talents and achievements and highlight the outstanding resources in your college.
When a Student Needs Support
Wright.edu/help is a great resource for helping students or making referrals. This site contains contact information for emergency or essential departments that can assist your students all in one location.
I am grateful for your dedication to promoting student success. I hope you have a wonderful and productive week!
Jim Denniston, Ph.D.
Acting Provost
