Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity | May 2023

Giving Thanks for a Strong Finish

Dear Colleagues,


As we wrap up the spring semester and academic year, I want to express gratitude for your support and participation in the programs and initiatives our Faculty Affairs and Diversity team has sponsored this year. I am grateful to have colleagues who are open to new ideas and participating in conversations that help to move our individual and collective goals forward.


It has been wonderful to work with Faculty Development Fellows Rebecca Wanzo and Lori Markson, who have led our early career and mid-career faculty programs and provided important support to faculty from across the Danforth Campus. Both will end their terms this year. As one of the Provost Office’s inaugural TRaP Faculty Fellows, Seema Dahlheimer has been instrumental in advancing supports and professional development opportunities for teaching, research, and practice faculty over the past two years. I am extremely grateful for her impactful efforts in this important area. Amy Eyler has been a Gender Equity Fellow for several years and this year we collaborated to develop and co-lead the new Faculty Transformational Leadership Institute, which will be offered again next spring. The newest member of our Faculty Fellows team, Konstantina Kiousis, did an excellent job this spring coordinating our mentoring workshops for faculty. As Faculty Conveners, Miguel Valerio and Atia Thurman have organized gatherings and networking opportunities for faculty of color and women of color faculty. Aurora Kamimura, assistant provost for inclusive excellence, has also been a valuable partner on many faculty-focused projects and supports. 


None of our work would be possible without the administrative and logistical expertise of Cecilia Hanan Reyes, Nick Blaylock, and Tamara Kulish, the newest member of our staff. 



Many thanks to this wonderful team for an incredibly productive and impactful year!


With appreciation,


—Kia Caldwell, vice provost for faculty affairs and diversity

The Application is Open for The Writing Retreat


The Office of the Provost will host a three-day writing retreat at Innsbrook Resort for Danforth assistant and associate professors, August 14-16. All those interested can complete the application here by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 5, to be considered. Faculty will be notified of acceptance by the end of May. Priority registration will be given to faculty who did not attend last year’s writing retreat.

Early-Career and Mid-Career Faculty Development Programs


Applications are open for the Early-Career and Mid-Career Faculty Development Programs. These cohort-based mentoring programs will take place from September 2023 to May 2024. The mid-career program is open to tenured and teaching, research, and practice faculty. You can apply here. The application deadline is May 17, 2023.

The Office of the Provost is Pleased to Welcome a New Team Member

Tamara Kulish

Administrative Project Coordinator


Tamara Kulish serves as the administrative project coordinator in the Office of the Provost working closely with the program manager and the vice provost. She supports a variety of programs and initiatives for Danforth Campus faculty.

Featured Events

Getting Ready for a Productive Writing Summer

NCFDD Virtual Orientation Panel

Tuesday, May 2 (3–4:30 p.m.)


Led by Assistant Provost Aurora Kamimura.

Register here

Engagement on Antiracism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

National Academies at WashU

May 3


In conjunction with the recent National Academies report on Advancing Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEMM Organizations, the National Academies (of Science, Engineering, and Medicine – NASEM) have selected WashU to partner with a group of study leads and co-authors to host this campus event.

Register here

Do’s & Don’ts: Faculty Interviews & Interactions

Faculty Recruitment Lunch & Learn

May 4 (12–1 p.m.).

Register here

SAVE THE DATE

Mentoring Summit

Friday, October 27, 2023

(8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Opportunities


  • WashU Mentoring Resources: At WashU we are strengthening our commitment to mentorship and are excited to launch 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.


  • Faculty Recruitment Liaisons: Would you like to help recruit faculty of diverse identities and backgrounds to WashU? Do you enjoy living in St. Louis and want to help faculty considering WashU learn more about the area? If so, sign up to be a Faculty Recruitment Liaison and meet with prospective new faculty here.

Events


  • Commencement: WashU will host an all-school Commencement Festival on Monday, May 15, from 11 a.m - 3 p.m., immediately following the university-wide Commencement Ceremony. The celebration will stretch from Mudd Field to Tisch Park and include local food and beverages, games, photo opportunities, and live entertainment. During this festival, the Office of the Provost and The Graduate Center will host a special area for our Graduate and Professional Students at Beaumont Pavilion (the outdoor stage in the Quad, just west of North Brookings). We hope that our faculty will stop by to congratulate our graduate and professional students.


  • Association for Women Faculty Monthly Happy Hours: Join the AWF at the Clayton Winehouse (7911 Clayton Road) on May 5 (3:30 p.m.) and June 2 (3:30 p.m.). Learn more about the Association for Women Faculty here.


  • Pride Festival & Parade: The Washington University School of Medicine's OUTmeds celebrate Pride 2023. June 24 and 25. more information
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity
Office of the Provost
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Calendar