As a higher education scholar, my colleagues and I probably spend more time than many reading trade outlets such as the Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Education, and Change Magazine, just to name a few. Since my areas within the field are governance, leadership, and faculty development, perhaps my mind goes there without trying […]
Coming back from spring break, we always seem to feel a mix of emotions. Perhaps some renewed perspective following a bit of time away, recognition that some things on the extensive to-do list will still get done and some likely will not, and a bit of wondering, “how am I really doing and how would […]
We are often inclined to have career exploration and career-building during times of “onboarding” or when interviewing for a new position – the “where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?” question. After the first few months on the job have passed, academics often shift their focus to meeting career benchmarks expected, or laid out […]
January is National Mentoring Month, and we have been thinking about how to frame the work of OFASD as it connects to university culture change, to the Strategic Plans, to helping faculty and academic staff build fulfilling careers and feel connected in such a large and diverse institution. In recruiting students at any level, we […]
As an educator, my measures of time tend to be semesters, annual review periods, the typical weeks to receive feedback on manuscripts or grant proposals, and cycles towards the next promotion, etc. Of course, these indices are juxtaposed against daily responsibilities at home and work, seasonal changes, and life transitions. Keeping perspective on it all […]
October is full of many opportunities to reflect, remember, and celebrate. We are reminded through numerous postings, emails, newsletters, and various meetings we attend. Everything from National Coffee Day to World Mental Health Day, from World Teachers’ Day to Indigenous’ Peoples Day, from National Fine Art Appreciation Day, to Disability Pride Month, and from Filipino […]
It’s hard to imagine that we’re already past September 20th, officially welcoming fall. The weather doesn’t always serve as the best reminder, but campus is alive with students and activities almost 24/7. We welcomed over 240 new faculty and academic staff to New Faculty and Staff Orientation and over 60 new academic leaders at orientations […]
Welcome to fall and the start of the 2024-2025 academic year! It seems impossible to believe that summer has flown by so quickly. But students are moving in, the marching band is holding practice, new faculty and staff are finding their offices and getting settled, and the East Lansing area around the campus is beginning […]
Over the last several months, thoughts of organizational change and transformation have been on my mind, as they likely have been for many of you. We often espouse a desire for change without seriously considering what it would mean to each of us individually and collectively. After the last several years, some may also wish […]
When we return from spring break, there are often mixed emotions. Are we really over winter or is there still snow to come? Will we have time to get everything done before the term ends, especially since it ends in late April instead of early May? Are we seeing the light at the end of […]
