Initiatives
The Center for Faculty Development (CFD) seeks to encourage communities of faculty that support each other in becoming creative and fruitful contributors to their disciplines. Faculty are encouraged to apply the fruit of their disciplines through service, involvement, and dissemination to individuals or communities, especially those outside of Union University. They are encouraged to know and love God, seeing their teaching, scholarship, creative work, and service as part of their Christian calling to the academic world.
New Faculty Orientation
A one-day comprehensive event before fall semester that focuses on the distinctive mission, values, history and people of Union University as well as on practical aspects of academic life.
Union Beginnings I
During fall semester new faculty meet regularly as a community to discuss ways of enhancing learning, the influence of the Christian faith on teaching, scholarship, and service and reflection on their professional development plans at Union University.
The Collegium on Christ, Knowledge and Wisdom
An annual two-day event for a small group of faculty to consider the integration of faith and knowledge as a natural outworking of their discipleship to Jesus Christ. Through reading, reflection, dialogue, and prayer, attending faculty grapple with the Biblical doctrines and their implications for Christians called to the academy.
Union Beginnings II
Throughout spring semester new faculty meet with a seasoned faculty member outside their department for insight and wisdom that lead to flourishing at Union University.
Fall and Winter Workshops
At the beginning of the fall and spring semesters faculty participate in an extended development opportunity that includes either departmental and interdepartmental dialogue on current topics or concurrent sessions offered by faculty colleagues and campus leaders.
In the Academy
Multiple sessions are offered each semester for all faculty regarding important aspects of professional advancement, grant opportunities, and research leave opportunities.
Singleton Course Design Institute
The Singleton Course Design Institute provides faculty with the tools, time and space to design or re-design their course based on student learning goals and objectives and thereby maximizing student learning. Throughout the semester, individual Course Design consultations are offered through the Center for Faculty Development.
Faculty Dialogue Groups
Believing that iron sharpens iron, faculty facilitate discussions over lunch on selected books or topics of interest in teaching, scholarship, and the Christian faith and practice.
Teaching and Learning Grants
These grants are designed to enhance student learning inside and outside of the classroom. Examples of successful teaching and learning grants for conference attendance, course redesign or development or other activities are available in a notebook in the Faculty Resource Center in the Library.
Newell Innovative Teaching Award
This annual award celebrates faculty achievement of innovative approaches to teaching and learning.