Professional Development Resources | Center for Faculty Excellence

The following resources have been curated by the Center for Faculty Excellence.

Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice (now merged with Faculty Leadership Forums) offer a way for groups of faculty members to network, share ideas and resources, and support one another related to their work in a common area. Learn more about Communities of Practice.

Communities of Practice (CoPs)

Faculty Intention for Student Retention

Access one-page overviews of each topic, student testimonials on how each of these areas affects their learning experience, a brief overview video by the faculty expert on their subject, and the full recording of the workshop session.

Energizing the Classroom: Student Engagement Project Initiative

Learn strategies to improve student engagement, spur their curiosity to learn more, and enhance their long-term retention of the content you teach. The videos below feature guest speaker Sarah Rose Cavanagh, author of the Spark of Learning: Energizing the College Classroom with the Science of Emotion from UCAT, Student Life and Wellbeing, and the Center for Faculty Excellence's student engagement event hosted at UNO on February 17th, 2023.

Faculty Observation of Teaching

Having a colleague observe your teaching or taking time to observe one of your colleagues when they are teaching can 1) advance teaching skills and confidence, 2) provide evidence of teaching excellence in the RP&T or annual review process, and 3) foster a culture in which teaching is openly and enthusiastically discussed amongst faculty.

What happens before and after the observation is as important, if not more important than what happens during the observations. The suggestions provided using the links below are designed to help faculty members maximize teaching observations.

Faculty Search Training

To be eligible to serve as a faculty search committee member, individuals must have completed the Faculty Search Training within the past two years. Faculty must complete the Foundations Course and can maintain committee eligibility by completing the Advanced Course (or re-taking the Foundations course). Faculty search committees should include a search advocate.

To learn more about becoming an advocate or to request a list of current advocates, contact the Center for Faculty Excellence.

Teaching Analysis By Students (TABS)

TABS provides full- and part-time faculty (including teaching assistants) an opportunity to assess pedagogical strengths and weaknesses. All assessments are confidential and free. Faculty members who register will receive a one-on-one meeting with a TABS consultant who will provide them with their confidential TABS report. Registration due dates are available on CFE's calendar.

Writing and Research Opportunities

CFE is partnering with the Office of Research and Creative Activity (ORCA) and the Writing Center to offer faculty opportunities to develop and focus their writing. These opporunities range from accountability groups to writing challenges throughout the academic year. More information including how to register can be found via the links below: