Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity | January 2023

Welcome Back

Dear Colleagues,

 

I hope the winter break was a time of renewal for you. As we begin the new semester, there will be multiple observances and gatherings in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. happening at WashU starting Monday, January 16. Details about several of these events may be found below.

 

I am extremely pleased to announce that several new team members have joined the Faculty Affairs and Diversity Team in the Office of the Provost. More information about our new administrative project coordinator and faculty development fellows is below. I am also excited to announce that several workshops focused on mentoring graduate students will take place this spring. More information and registration details is available on the new Mentoring at WashU site: mentoring.wustl.edu. Several other opportunities and events are also included in this month’s newsletter, and I hope you will be able to take advantage of some of them.

 

Best wishes for a successful semester!


Warm regards,


-Kia Caldwell, vice provost for faculty affairs and diversity

WashU Mentoring Resources


At WashU we are strengthening our commitment to mentorship and are excited to bring you a new web page (mentoring.wustl.edu) to centralize mentorship resources. Effective and culturally competent mentoring is critical to the success and thriving of students, trainees, postdocs, and faculty. Our new web page offers tools to help our community members as we support the next generation of scholars, researchers, and faculty.


Spring workshops for mentoring graduate students are open for registration!

Town Hall: Equity-Minded Reform of Faculty Evaluation, Principles, and Action


The Faculty Development and Support Initiative under Here and Next will be hosting a university-wide town hall presentation by Dr. KerryAnn O’Meara, professor of higher education and distinguished scholar teacher at the University of Maryland. Dr. O’Meara will share lessons from working with campuses on faculty evaluation reform. She will outline equity-minded principles to guide the process, and evidence-based considerations as departments and colleges approach revisions to faculty evaluation policies and practices. February 21 (12 p.m.) more information

The Office of the Provost Welcomes New Team Members

Administrative Project Coordinator


Nick Blaylock

Faculty Development Fellow


P. Konstantina Kiousis

Senior Lecturer, Business Management

Faculty Development Fellow


Lori Markson

Professor, Psychological & Brain Sciences

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King Day and Beyond



  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration: All are welcome to attend events marking the occasion on Monday, January 16 (2-3:30 p.m.) in Graham Chapel. more information
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration: WashU Med School's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion welcomes all of the WashU community to participate in one or many events to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. Tuesday, January 16 - Friday, January 20 (various times). more information

Featured Events

Death of a Salesman

Edison Theatre

January 11-29, 2023


Presented by The Black Rep, the classic 1940's story of traveling salesman Willy Loman and his family explores the disillusionment of the American Dream and the toll it takes on all aspects of life. more information


On January 13 (1 p.m.), join artistic director Ron Himes, BS ’78, for a conversation about the production, the Black Rep, and this moment in American theater.

Chakaia Booker's Shaved Portions

Corner of Brookings and Skinker

On Exhibit through March 31, 2024


Shaved Portions epitomizes Booker’s ability to radically transform industrial material into an incredible array of biomorphic forms. The modular architectural structure is visible from this busy thoroughfare. Walk through the massive structure and experience its power—its texture, its structure, and its message of connection and community.

Malinda Maynor Lowery

Women's Building Formal Lounge

March 29 (3:30 pm.)


The American Culture Studies Program will host the visit of Malinda Maynor Lowery, Cahoon Family Professor of American History at Emory University, under the Office of the Provost Distinguished Visiting Scholar Program. Save the date.


Opportunities and Additional Events

  • Why Institutions Matter - Religious Perspectives on Building and Sustaining Institutions in a Fractured Society, featuring Richard W. Garnett, Shadi Hamid, Kristen Deede Johnson, Yuval Levin and John Inazu: This dialogue between some of the nation’s foremost thinkers on institutions and religious pluralism will focus on the challenges and opportunities of building and sustaining civic institutions in a polarized society. January 19 (7 p.m.). more information



  • Great Artist Series '23 - J'Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano, and Mark Markham, piano. Sponsored by CRE2. January 29 (7 p.m.). more information



  • Save the Date: International Women's Day at WashU is Wednesday, March 8. The Office of the Provost will be hosting a Town Hall on Gender Equity for Danforth Campus Faculty (12 p.m.) and Luna Fest Film Screenings (6:30 p.m.). More details and registration information coming soon.


  • Free NCFDD Membership and Spring Programming: Claim your free membership to the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD). Learn more about this free membership, available to all WashU faculty, graduate students, postdocs, and trainees. Plus, the NCFDD spring programming calendar is live and visible upon joining NCFDD. The semester kicks off with a 14-Day Writing Challenge (February 20-March 5), 5 Secrets to a Super-Productive Semester (February 8), and Academic Branding (February 21). Join NCFDD and register today.


  • Association for Women Faculty Monthly Happy Hours: Join the AWF at the Clayton Winehouse (7911 Clayton Road) on February 3 (3:30 p.m.). Learn more about the Association for Women Faculty here.


  • Move Into Mindfulness: Reduce stress, increase focus, and develop practical coping skills through our Move into Mindfulness programs, which includes a mindfulness audio library. Beginner and advanced classes are offered year-round for WashU employees at no cost. more information
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity
Office of the Provost
Diversity and Inclusion Calendar