Center for Faculty Development
Educators' Retreat
Page Content
Fall 2024 Educators’ Retreat
Monday, August 19, 2024
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8 a.m.–12 p.m. | LAB Lobby
Campus Connections Fair
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9–9:50 a.m. | LAB 108
Empowering Faculty Excellence: The Crucial Support of CFR Officers in Philanthropy
Join the USM Foundation for a session on the pivotal role of the Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) Officer in facilitating philanthropic funding at Southern Miss. Discover how the CFR officer serves as a strategic liaison between academia and external philanthropic funding sources, and gain insights into the mechanisms by which they support faculty in securing philanthropic grants. Attendees can expect to learn actionable strategies for leveraging CFR partnerships to enhance philanthropic acquisition efforts.
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9–9:50 a.m. | LAB 103
University Services: Executive Education and Artificial Intelligence Lab
Stephanie McLendon, Director, Executive Education, Dr. Kelly Lester, Associate Provost for Faculty Success, and Dr. Melanie Leuty, Director, Center for Faculty Development
Join us to learn more about USM's Executive Education that provides ongoing education, customized training programs, learning events, workshops, and performance solutions that will upskill and re-skill our region's workforce. Audience members will also learn ways to become involved in Executive Education. Also, a new collaboration, with the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) will be discussed. MAIN is the first statewide alliance of higher education in the country focused on artificial intelligence. As part of this MAIN initiative, USM has been granted access to an advanced AI curriculum and equipment to establish an AI lab. This lab has state-of-the-art equipment designed to support hands-on learning and experimentation with AI technologies that is available for use.
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9–9:50 a.m. | LAB 103
Building Your Professional Brands in Higher Education
Dr. Jae-Hwa Shin, Professor, School of Media and Communication
In the realm of higher education, personal branding can often feel forced or artificial, but for serious academic professionals, understanding and cultivating one's professional brand is crucial, as it encompasses your reputation and values. This session will explore the importance of building and maintaining a professional brand, teaching attendees that their reputation is a dynamic entity requiring time, focus, discipline, and strategic effort to cultivate and uphold. Participants will gain insights into how branding can elevate their credibility, differentiate them from peers, expand their influence, and amplify their impact within their academic and professional communities.
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9–9:50 a.m. | LAB 104
USM Faculty: Their Stories and Experiences at Southern Miss
Dr. Michelle McLeese, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Social Science and Global Studies
As part of one of the first Provost Faculty Fellows, I designed and carried out a research project with USM faculty to ask them about their experiences at Southern Miss. This session will be used to present the findings from that project and to have a discussion of the experiences of those in attendance.
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10–10:50 a.m. | LAB 108
Prohibiting Generative Artificial Intelligence Use in the Classroom: Detection, Ethics, & Communication
Dr. Nicolle Jordan, Associate Professor, Alexandra Valint, Associate Professor, Katherine Cochran, Associate Professor, and Hannah Mummert, School of Humanities
In this session, a team of instructors discusses their reasons for and experience of prohibiting generative artificial intelligence in a large, online, asynchronous version of World Literature in the 23-24 academic year. Despite instructors explicitly and repeatedly stating the course AI policy, an exorbitant number of students violated that policy. We explore the methods we devised to detect and discourage students' use of AI and discuss students' limited understanding of AI: what it is, how it works, and its limitations.
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10–10:50 a.m. | LAB 102
Engagement with the CARES Team
Thomas Deus, Associate Dean of Students, and Dr. Sirena Cantrell, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Join us to learn about the CARES Team and how we respond to students in distress. We will use examples to discuss the behaviors of concern and share the resources we provide.
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10–10:50 a.m. | LAB 103
From Research to Resources: Leveraging University Libraries for Success
Hali Black, Assistant Professor, University Libraries
Explore how University Libraries support academic success through tailored instruction sessions, research consultations, and innovative offerings such as laptop loans, the One Button Studio, and expanded database subscriptions. Collaborate with faculty to shape our collections and online resources, fostering a vibrant scholarly community at Southern Miss. Join us in leveraging these resources and services to empower learning, research, and innovation.
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10–10:50 a.m. | LAB 104
Now Boarding: A Session on International Education at Southern Miss
Dr. Leah McSorley, Director, International Student and Scholar Services, Petra Marlin, Director of International Recruitment and Admissions, Kacey Cole, Associate Director, International Admissions, Jessica Bunales, Assistant Director, Center for International Education, Office of Study Abroad, and Amy Linden, Director, Center for International Education, Office of Study Abroad
Through the Center for International Education (CIE), Southern Miss offers a range of international education opportunities. During this session, attendees will hear from staff in the three areas that make up the CIE: International Student and Scholar Services, International Admissions, and Study Abroad. Presenters will provide information on USM's international student population, cultural competencies for supporting this diverse population, study abroad opportunities currently being offered, and how faculty can propose new programs.
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11–11:50 a.m. | LAB 102
Introducing the Southern Miss Faculty Ombud
Dr. Andrew Haley, Associate Professor, Faculty Ombudsperson
In response to a request by the Faculty Senate, the Office of the President has created a new faculty ombud position at Southern Miss. This informational session is an opportunity to both learn about the new position and how it can help resolve problems in the early stages, and to provide input into the development of this new service. Questions about what an ombud does, what an ombud cannot do, and how best to contact the ombud will be addressed.
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11–11:50 a.m. | LAB 108
Opportunities and Challenges: Disciplinary and Professional Changes with AI
Dr. Jae-Hwa Shin, Professor, School of Media and Communication
This session will delve into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its profound impact on various disciplines and professions. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and discuss the numerous opportunities and challenges posed by AI, sharing their views, concerns, and insights in an interactive environment. The session aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of how AI is reshaping research, teaching, service, and other critical aspects of higher education.
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11–11:50 a.m. | LAB 103
De-escalation 101: Managing Conflict in the Classroom & Supporting Students in Crisis
Dr. Ragan Downey, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security, and Dr. Sirena Cantrell, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Given the prevalence of mental health issues among young people today, it imperative that faculty and staff understand that de-escalation is the ultimate form of support for a student in crisis. The audience will learn basic techniques for verbal de-escalation and crisis management.
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11–11:50 a.m. | LAB 104
Fundamentals of Sponsored Projects at USM
Erica Kennedy, Associate Vice President for Research, C. Maurine Pace, Information Specialist, Office of Research Administration
This session will provide a broad overview of sponsored program administration at USM throughout the lifecycle of a grant award. We will focus on USM systems, practices, policies, and infrastructure in support of faculty grants and sponsored programs.
Questions? Email CFDFREEMississippi.
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