Monthly Archives: August 2018

Seeking Psi Chi advisor

Our local chapter of Psi Chi is in need of a new faculty advisor to replace Carrie Hall. The workload is minimal and involves primarily coordination with the student executives to approve their plans (and sign the forms). If you are interested please let me know asap. I have also served in this capacity in the past so if you have any questions you can direct them to me as well.

Graduate seminar on research mentoring

Joyce Fernandes, Professor of Biology and Director of the Office of Research for Undergraduates, is offering a graduate seminar this semester for graduate students who desire to engage in a more intentional discussion and development of mentoring undergraduate research assistants. It will meet Mondays 10:05 – 11:00, and seems to be relatively low commitment. From Joyce (whom you should contact if interested), the seminar will achieve these learning outcomes:

  • Address topics such as communication, setting goals and expectations, identifying and resolving challenges and issues, evaluating our progress as mentors, and developing a mentoring philosophy.
  • Set up mentoring goals for current mentees in the lab, and develop an assessment plan
  • Become aware of ongoing assessment of undergraduate research at Miami.
  • Develop familiarity with literature in the area of mentoring and assessing undergraduate research

P&G Higher Education Grant

Proctor & Gamble supports a fund to support projects across a number of institutions, including Miami. There is currently an open call for those interested in developing submissions:

The P&G Fund for Higher Education is now accepting grant proposals for the 2018-19 year. Here is a link to a form that you may use for proposals. Grants range from $5,000-10,000 and Miami is permitted to request a total of $50,000 for all projects (with a limitation of 2 projects per division).

Programs must meet the following criteria:
– Improve curriculum to be at the cutting edge in relevance and effectiveness
– Foster and enable leadership opportunities and learning
– Create a learning environment that encourages and enhances innovation and creativity
– Strengthen diversity in thought, participation and ongoing interaction
– Utilize the funding on an expendable basis (i.e no endowments)

If you are interested, feel free to see me for consultation in preparing an effective proposal.

OER committee

Anybody who is interested in Open Educational Resources and willing to serve on the university committee, please let me know. Carolyn Haynes has requested volunteers and would love to target larger departments such as ours in particular.

Pride Panels

As you finalize your syllabi for the fall, I wanted to make you aware of an offering from Spectrum, the student organization for LGBTQ+ students and allies dedicated to education, awareness, activism, and community. You might consider including a Pride Panel if you think it might make sense in your fall course. From Viengsamai Fetters, the Spectrum Education Chair:

The goal of Pride Panels is to provide insights into the lives of real LGBTQ+ people who go to Miami in a way that allows people to ask questions honestly and without fear of judgment. This isn’t a textbook or a dry restatement of data; Pride Panels are about facilitating conversation and practicing Love and Honor. At a Pride Panel, members of Spectrum come and answer questions about our lived experiences as LGBTQ+ people, both relating to topics covered in the class and about life in general. After brief introductions and setting some ground rules, the floor will be opened to questions; students and professors often submit questions anonymously ahead of time as well as having an open Q&A.

Pride Panels have been very successful across the board, and Spectrum has received positive feedback from students and professors alike. Students walk away feeling as though they have a new perspective on LGBTQ+ issues and how they can relate to their fields of study, as well as a better understanding of the ways other students experience life on campus and off.

If you would like to schedule a Pride Panel or would like more information, please contact Viengsamai.