Academic Affairs News

Good afternoon,
 
Together we have managed to navigate one of the most challenging semesters in WKU’s history and we still have a few weeks to go. I know that it has been trying for many of you and for many of our students. I ask that you continue to keep our mission and purpose in mind and make every effort to make a difference for our students, faculty and staff, and our communities while remaining empathetic toward those that are struggling. I have been particularly proud of the interest in the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on our campus this semester.
 
Some of these initiatives are:

One WKU leverages the combined power of Academic Affairs and Enrollment and Student Affairs to dismantle systemic discrimination, barriers to inclusion, and unequal opportunities.
 
Book and Media Groups provide several options including nonfiction, fiction, podcasts, documentaries, and TV sitcoms. The idea is to engage in conversations about institutional racism and how we, as a collaborative team, can create real change at WKU and in our communities.
 
Deliberative Dialog is a form of facilitated group discussion that provides participants with the opportunity to consider an issue in depth, challenge differing opinions, and develop views/arguments to reach an actionable position.
 
CITL Community of Practice Fellows will cultivate professional development programs that address issues of DEI as they relate to teaching and learning. At the start of the fall 2020 semester, six Community of Practice Fellows were identified based on their proven commitment to teaching and learning innovation and for their relentless pursuit of solutions addressing DEI at WKU and beyond.  In the next three years, these six fellows, in collaboration with colleagues across campus, will advance new directions in teaching with the goal of enhancing the learning experience for all of our students. Through workshops, seminars, colloquia and institutes, these fellows will create space for faculty to discuss how to ensure our classrooms remain equitable learning spaces for WKU's student-scholars. I am pleased to announce the Community of Practice Fellows’ inaugural workshop and hope you will join them for this as well as subsequent events. Please register for this event here.
 
Please consider participating in these and future discussions.
 
A couple of additional updates:

• If you have not gotten one already, flu shots will be available at Graves Gilbert Clinic (GCC@WKU) or watch for additional opportunities on campus.
• While the WKU community has done well controlling and limiting the spread of COVID-19 on campus, we must remain vigilant in practicing physical distancing, wearing a mask, and continuing good hand hygiene in order to minimize the spread. It is especially important that we continue to avoid larger gatherings where people may not follow these best practices.
• Save the Date: January 14, 2021 to participate in the WKU Student Success Summit. This has been a productive and engaging partnership between the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Enrollment and Student Experience. More information will be available soon.

Thank you for all you do to contribute to our community and help our students succeed.
 
Best regards,

Cheryl L. Stevens, PhD
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs