Academic Affairs News

Since coming to WKU, I have been struck by the faculty’s dedication to our students’ success. In ways big and small, in ways visible and intangible, faculty constantly show up for our future graduates. The strong bond between faculty and students can be seen in nominations for the CITL Teaching Honors. This past semester alone, students cast 635 nominations, commending 350 individual faculty for both providing an exceptional learning experience as well as offering compassion, empathy and help during difficult times. I want to take a minute and reflect on a few faculty initiatives that contributed to and advanced student success at WKU.   

• The tremendous achievement of our Living Learning Community program can be tied directly to the ingenuity and thoughtfulness of the LLC Faculty Fellows. These dedicated educators have invested their time and talents to ensure that our first-year students have transformative intellectual experiences which create a sense of community and belonging.  

• When the faculty and staff 1^st Gen initiative launched last semester, the response from faculty and staff alike was remarkably positive. Over 200 individuals who are either first-generation college graduates themselves or are supporters of this effort volunteered to help our 1^st Gen students and their families make the most of their WKU experience in the coming years.   

• Faculty from the departments of History, Biology, and Mathematics have been a part of the Gateway Initiative for the past couple of years, examining how to ensure student success in introductory courses. This year we are looking forward to welcoming the Chemistry and English departments to the program. The academic transition to college is often a tough one, and I applaud the faculty for their proactive attention to ensuring a smooth academic transition for incoming students who are anxious to do well.   

Naturally, not every positive impact faculty have on students is quantifiable. A spontaneous kind word, a sage piece of advice, a positive letter of recommendation, an encouraging email – all of these faculty do daily to improve each student’s life on the Hill. As I spend more time at WKU, I know I will continue to witness and hear more stories about the direct impact WKU faculty have on student success.  Thank you for your continued efforts in support of the whole student.