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Week of July 11-15

2022

Provost Communications: Style guide for College of Architecture, Arts, and Design

Effective July 1, the College of Architecture and Urban Studies has officially been renamed the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design. Communications teams in the newly named college and in University Relations have developed the following guidance for referencing the college in online media, press releases, official documents, and other internal and external communications.

On first reference, use the full name: “College of Architecture, Arts, and Design” in written and verbal instances. On second reference, to reinforce the college’s name, the preferable usage is either the full name or “Architecture, Arts, and Design.” Other options for second reference include “the college,” if the context is clear which college is being referenced, or “AAD” in writing. AAD is spoken as “A, A, and D.”

Do not:

  • Use “CAAD” as an acronym for the college.
  • Pronounce the acronym as “aid” or “add.”

If you have questions or need further assistance, please email Lesley Yorke, interim director of communications for the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design.

Outreach and International Affairs: Registration open for 2022 Women Impact Virginia Summit

Registration is now open for the 2022 Women Impact Virginia Summit scheduled for October 12 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond. Presented by Outreach and International Affairs, the hybrid summit aims to advance women leaders in Virginia through promoting connections, engagement, and empowerment of women who feel a desire to impact their community.

The event will feature inspiration and dynamic women sharing stories around the theme of "Transcending Boundaries Together." The 2022 Women Impact Virginia Summit will also feature a Hokie Highlight segment that addresses overcoming boundaries with presenters including:

Concurrent breakout sessions will take place for participants to engage with multiple other impactful women from across the commonwealth.

The summit will be anchored by opening and closing keynote speakers Nancy Howell Agee, president and chief executive officer of Carilion Clinic, and Nneka Chiazor, vice president of public and government affairs for Cox Communications.

For more information on the summit and how to register for either in-person or virtual attendance, please visit the Women Impact Virginia website.

CETL: Teaching, course design services for faculty preparing for fall 2022

As faculty and instructors begin preparing for fall 2022 courses, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) is available to support the design, development, and implementation of learner-centered instruction. This includes a variety of customized and confidential consulting services to enhance research-based teaching and learning design and strategies. Through these customized services, faculty and instructors work closely with CETL staff to set goals and action plans.

  • Class Observations: Class observations, performed by center staff, are available for faculty to receive feedback on classroom management, communication effectiveness, students' engagement, or other teaching and learning practices.
  • Mid-Semester Feedback: An opportunity for instructors to gather structured feedback from their students regarding the functioning of the class and the quality of student learning. 
  • One-on-one Consulting: General course consulting is offered to faculty members to address a myriad of questions and issues. 
  • Program or Departmental Consulting: CETL partners and works closely with programs and departments to offer specific and tailored services. 
  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL): Workshops, consulting, grants, and an annual writing retreat to support Virginia Tech faculty and instructors with their SoTL.

In addition to teaching and consulting services, CETL offers several programs and networking opportunities that support research-based teaching and learning design and engagement strategies.

  • Book clubs: An opportunity to build a small community of colleagues that explores topics presented in books CETL has identified as timely and supportive of teaching and learning. 
  • Bridge Experience: Plan for all undergraduate students to learn experientially through place-based opportunities and to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities for success in their future endeavors. 
  • Project-Based Learning: A method of engaging students in authentic, real-world problems or challenges over a period of time. It is considered a high-impact practice due to its effectiveness for promoting learning, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. 
  • Principles of Effective Teaching Certificates: Provides a learning community and support structure within which faculty can become better teachers. 
  • Effective Teaching Workshops

For more information on these and other instructional support programs and services, please visit the CETL website.

Notice: Call for proposals for Virginia Military and Student Veteran Education Summit

The Planning Committee for the 2022 Virginia Military and Student Veteran Education Summit is soliciting proposals for this year’s event scheduled for September 22 at the College of William & Mary.

Faculty, academic departments, and student service units from institutions around the state are invited to submit session proposals for workshops, panels, and presentations that focus on this year’s theme, “Take Charge: Be Your Own Boss in Your Next Mission.” The free, one-day event seeks to open conversations about educational and career pathways for veteran and military-related students, including internship and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Suggested topics for proposals include, but are not limited to:

  • Veteran/Educational Resources 
  • Apprenticeships/Internships 
  • Transfer Procedures 
  • Non-Profit Management 
  • Employment 
  • Student Veteran Associations 
  • Veteran Leadership 
  • Distance Learning

During the summit, there will be two tracks of breakout sessions – one for institutional representatives and one for students. All sessions will be 50 minutes in length and should allow time for questions and discussion with the audience.

Proposals may be submitted online and are due no later than Friday, August 5. Those selected will be notified no later than Monday, August 15.

Additionally, if your department would like to reserve a resource table for the day of the event, please use the online portal to secure a spot. There will be 50 tables available for organizations to connect with student veterans and other education institutions to offer more information and resources.

For more information on the 2022 Virginia Military and Student Veteran Education Summit or the process for submitting a proposal, please email Beverly Rebar in the Office of Academic Affairs at SCHEV.

ICYMI: New Faculty Welcome to be held on August 18 at The Inn at Virginia Tech

The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provostcordially invites all new Virginia Tech faculty to the New Faculty Welcome on Thursday, August 18 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center.

The annual event, hosted by Faculty Affairs and with contributions from units across the university, is designed to provide overview information about the university, perspectives from current faculty, and an opportunity to network with colleagues. Separate and different from orientation sessions provided by Human Resources, the program allows new faculty who have joined Virginia Tech between August 10, 2021, and August 10, 2022, to connect with faculty and academic leaders across the campus.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required.

The New Faculty Welcome program also provides breakout informational sessions for Administrative and Professional Faculty and Teaching and Research Faculty. This targeted program content is designed to address the specific needs and interests of the different faculty groups.

In addition to the August 18 general welcome session, special sessions for new teaching and research faculty will be held on August 19 at the following times:

  • Special Teaching Session for New Faculty, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
  • Special Research Session for New Faculty, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Informational presentations from past years' events and other resources are available on the New Faculty Welcome website. Faculty are encouraged to continue to check this site before and after the August 18 event for updated resources.

For more information on the event or registration, please email Leslie Sullivan, faculty affairs coordinator for the Office of Faculty Affairs.

Additional resource and information updates

If you have comments or recommendations for how we can improve the Weekly Communications Update or suggestions for specific information and topics that should be shared with faculty, staff, and academic program personnel, please provide them through this Google form or email Provost Communications.

Please visit VT Ready and the Provost’s website frequently for new and updated university information. All members of the campus community should also read their VTx Daily email for further important updates, notices, and resources.