January 9, 2024

In this issue:

  • Connecting this semester to Dr. King's work
  • Faculty Curriculum Committee Launch
  • New Faculty Resource Site (in-construction)
  • Senior Speeches Update for Spring 24
  • Lab Faculty Reminders
  • PA/NJ/DE Corner
  • TA2BA Pathway Corner
  • In the Community:
  • Mixed Magic Theater
  • NVI seeking Committee Members

Faculty Calendar - AY 2023-2024

CU Faculty Site- a new in-construction hub for Faculty Resources

Faculty Absence, Late Arrival, & Inclement Weather Policy

Winter weather is upon us!

Please review the policy linked above, which includes information

about how CU handles Inclement Weather.

Provost's Message

Greetings CU Faculty,


Happy New Year! I hope the semester break gave you time for some rest, restoration, and time with loved ones. 


We are excited to welcome all new and returning lab and instructional faculty. The Spring semester starts Monday, January 15th, Martin Luther King Day. I can’t think of a better way to launch the semester than by deepening our ability to apply the teaching and tools of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As I am sure you are aware, MLK Day was enacted in 1994 as a national day of service. This holiday is frequently referred to as “a day on and not a day off.” It will be a day of learning for College Unbound.


At CU, we have developed a curriculum that powerfully aligns with aspects of MLK's work, including the examination of societal inequities, the philosophy of nonviolence, manifesting the Beloved Community, community organizing, advocacy on behalf of the self and others, etc. 


During the first week of the semester and beyond, I encourage all faculty to make explicit connections between course content and King’s work. This is especially relevant for synchronous courses that will be meeting on MLK Day. Let us all claim this opportunity to honor the life and legacy of MLK through collective learning and action at CU.  


Resources: 


Sincerely,

Sylvia 

Updates

New Faculty Curriculum Committee Launches

(formerly the Academic Affairs & Technology Committee)


College Unbound values the engagement of faculty in the life of College. We believe it's critically important for faculty to play a role in guiding key decisions related to the academic life of the College, including the curriculum, courses, as well as academic policies. 


The Faculty Curriculum Committee (FCC) is responsible for ensuring and preserving the academic integrity of curriculum and the quality of all courses and programs offered by College Unbound. The Committee’s primary responsibilities are in five major areas, including the review and approval of new courses, substantive curricular changes, changes to degree and pathway requirements, revision of grading policies, and curriculum program development programs.


In the Fall semester, we invited faculty to self-nominate or nominate others for consideration as members of the newly configured Faculty Curriculum Committee, formerly the Academic & Technology Committee. We are excited to announce the following new members Faculty Curriculum Committee members:


  • Carie Hertzberg
  • Rahsaan Gomes-McCreary
  • Jaya Sarkar
  • Donna Younger


The Faculty Curriculum Committee (FCC) also includes the Provost, the Assistant Provost, and Assistant Dean for Curriculum Integration as non-voting members. The FCC meets monthly Sept through May, and may meet periodically in special meetings that require a deeper dive into the work.

We still have a couple of committee seats available.


If you are interested in supporting CU's important curricular work or know of a CU faculty member who you think would be a good addition to the FCC, please let us know by emailing provost@collegeunbound.edu

New Faculty Resource Site

We have been working on a CU Faculty Resource Site - a new in-construction hub for Faculty resources. We are doing a soft launch of the site to gather feedback and make it available as we continue to build.

Senior Speeches Update


Starting this semester, senior speeches will be combined with final exhibitions in WWL for a longer, culminating presentation. More detailed information will be coming soon!

Reminders

Lab Faculty


PA/NJ/DE Corner

Welcome New Lab Faculty: Markita Floyd, Suzanne Brooks, LaSheena Riley-Duval and Derek King to our CommUnity!


We look forward to another spectacular semester with our amazing returning Lab Faculty: Erin Bernard, Rana Walker, David Bromley, Christopher Jennings, Travis Meyer, Sharahn Green Santana, Leyla Lindsay, Swetha Narasimhan, LaChae Swindle, and Melissa Herder!!


Please remember your email of Follow Up items from our end of semester/planning meetings and share with me your Syllabi. After your student meetings, please also share: In Person dates, dietary needs, babysitting needs, and don’t forget to open your Moodles prior to our January 15 first day of classes!


If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to schedule time with Melina here.


Happy New Year to all!!  


With much gratitude and appreciation, your CU PA/NJ/DE team

TA2BA Pathway Corner

We are excited to welcome 25 new TA2BA students in Rhode Island & 26 new TA2BA students in Philadelphia. The majority of these students have learned about our program & college due to the positive experiences of their colleagues, friends or family members- which speaks volumes to the care and guidance they receive from all their faculty! Please welcome new Lab Faculty members Peter Newman (RI), Markita Floyd (PA) and Suzanne Brooks (PA) who will be guiding a portion of these new students.


This semester, we are also so excited to be able to pilot four pedagogy courses that will help our students deepen their development as educators. Please welcome new instructional faculty members Kate Durham ( Educational Psychology), Hannah Jardine (Teaching Methods of Next Generation Science), and Makila Meyers-Burgos (Inclusive Practices for Neurodivergent Students). In addition to these three courses, Lauren MacDonell will be teaching The Science of Reading- a course that received wonderful feedback last Spring!


And last but not least, I want to extend a belated welcome to two instructional faculty members who joined our community during the Fall semester: Stef Harvey (Social, Emotional Learning) and Chris Yakes (Teaching Methods for Math). Both courses received strong feedback from students! 


We are so appreciative of our growing CommUnity of educators. Together we are impacting the future of education in Rhode Island & Pennsylvania! Much love & many thanks ❤️


In the Community

Mixed Magic Theater performing at PPAC- 2/27


CU Student Danette Briggs shares this announcement with the CU Community:


"I am a singer and I do theater with the Mixed Magic Theater.  We are performing at the PPAC on February 27.  I would like this information to be shared in our newsletter to let everyone know if they are interested in attending.  Thank you very much.  Happy New Year."


-Submitted by Danette Briggs, CU Student


Learn more about the event here!

The Nonviolence Institute is seeking committee members


"The Nonviolence Institute (NVI) seeks committed, community-oriented leaders to engage on board-led committees such as governance, human resources, development, facilities, and others. The NVI seeks professional individuals who reflect the rich diversity of Providence and our urban core neighborhoods. The mission of the NVI is to create—by word and example—a community that uses the principles and practices of nonviolence to prevent, interrupt, and heal violence, and to uplift community. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in eventual board service.  


Please contact Nicole Fiero, Board of Directors Co-Chair at nicoleafiero@gmail.com if you are interested."


-Submitted by Nicole Fiero, CU Lab Faculty

Sincerely,


All of Us at College Unbound, including:

Sylvia Spears

Provost & VP for Lifelong Learning


Karen Casper

Assistant Provost for Administration and Planning


Aubrey Schabowsky

Director of Educator Preparation, TA2BA Program


Deborah Kronenberg

Assistant Dean of Curricular Integration


David Bromley

Director of CU Philadelphia/New Jersey


Sage Morgan-Hubbard

Director of Workplace & World Lab Learning

Lance Eaton

Director of Faculty Development & Innovation


Elizabeth Colon

Director of Learning in Public


Melina Kuchinov

Assistant Director of CU Philadelphia/New Jersey


Michael Reaves

Director of Alumni & Career Services


Nikki Andrews

Registrar


Matthew Sutherland

Assistant Registrar


Hanna Lichtenstein

Administrative Assistant, Lifelong Learning

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