Western Carolina University logo with Coulter Faculty Commons

Get a Head Start: Acquire Course Materials Early to Reduce Last-minute Stress

by | May 4, 2026 | Blog

As you refine your syllabi and prepare your courses, we encourage you to plan so both you and your students have everything needed for a strong start to the fall semester. Hunter Library Subject Specialists can help you acquire your course materials in advance to avoid delays, reduce last‑minute stress, and ensure students can fully engage from day one.

To support a seamless start, consider the following tips:

  • Audit Canvas links to ensure all content is active, accurate, and working properly. This step is made easier with the validate links tool in Canvas.
  • Verify access to eBooks and databases you regularly use to confirm licenses have not expired.
  • Request course materials early, including books and streaming films, so they are available to students at the beginning of the semester.

If you need help, contact your Subject Specialist! Find us on the library’s staff directory page.

Digital Accessibility in Canvas

by | Apr 6, 2026 | Accessibility, Blog, Canvas

The Division of IT is offering Zoom sessions on the Federal Accessibility Requirements for digital materials.

IT staff will discuss the requirements and the digital tools that WCU has available to help you make your Canvas courses more accessible. Click on the links below to register. 

SoTL Scholar Feature – WCU Faculty Share Work

by | Apr 6, 2026 | Blog, Pedagogy, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning, Teaching and Learning

Four WCU employees standing in front of a poster.

Pictured left to right: Jessica Casimir, Chad Halllyburton, April Tallant, Barbara Arnold at the 2026 SoTL Commons Conference in Savannah, GA.

The SoTL Scholar Feature highlights the work of WCU faculty participating in the SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) Academy, a program sponsored by the Coulter Faculty Commons.  

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Scholars from WCU were well-represented at the 2026 SoTL Commons Conference in Savannah, GA, February 25-27, and at WCU’s Research and Scholarship Conference March 25-26. 

Congratulations to Jessica Casimir, Chad Hallyburton, Darby Harris, Geraldine Riouff & Barbara Arnold for sharing the important work you do to contribute to student success at WCU! 

The following scholarly activities were shared at the SoTL Commons Conference: 

  • Arnold, B. (2026). Self-Care in the Social Work Classroom: An Exploratory Study of Pedagogical Approaches to Teaching and Practicing Self-Care. Poster Presentation. 
  • Casimir, J. (2026). Film-based Instruction and Student Learning: Early Findings fro and Introductory Sociology Pilot Study. Poster Presentation. 
  • Tallant, A., Hallyburton, C., Harris, D., & Seagle, J. (2026).  Re-building a SoTL Culture: A Scaffolded Academy Model to Promote SoTL Practice, Use, and Growth. Podium Presentation. 

The following scholarly activities were shared at RASC. Congratulations to Mariana Da Costa and student Isabella Erskine, too! 

  • Hallyburton, C. Opening to Possibilities: Growing Student Engagement through SoTL, Course-based Undergraduate Research, Campus Collaborations, and More. Poster Presentation.
  • Hallyburton, C. The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good: A Pilot Project Building Early Undergraduate Research Engagement. 3MR Competition. 
  • Hallyburton, C., Da Costa, M., & Erskine, I. Bridging Research and Practice: Preparing Nursing Students as Future Vaccine Decision-Making Leaders through a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience. Poster Presentation.
  • Riouff, G. & Hallyburton, C. (2026). Evaluating Curriculum to Reflect the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Workplace Practices. Poster Presentation. 
  • Tallant, A., Hallyburton, C., Harris, D., & Seagle, J. (2026). Re-building a SoTL Culture: A Scaffolded Academy Model to Promote SoTL Practice, Use, and Growth. Poster Presentation. 

Dr. Katie Searles to Speak at WCU

by | Apr 2, 2026 | Blog, Campus Community Connections, Event, Professional Development

The Haire Institute for Public Policy is pleased to sponsor a guest speaker on April 6, 2026. Dr. Katie Searles, Olin Johnson Professor of Political Science at the University of South Carolina, will facilitate events throughout the day, including a session called “Supporting Faculty Facing Occupational Intimidation” and “How News Coverage of Democracy Affects Audience Perceptions.” Please email Chris Cooper at ccooper@wcu.edu for more information and to RSVP. 
Flyer with women sitting. Cover of book and event title included.

Attend Elon University’s Free Teaching and Learning Hybrid Conference

by | Mar 3, 2026 | Blog, Pedagogy, Professional Development, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Elon University invites educators from around the world to participate in the 22nd Annual Teaching & Learning Conference, taking place August 11, 2026. This event is completely free to attend, with both in‑person and virtual registration options available. The theme is “Teaching for Tomorrow: Building Transferable Skills and Lifelong Learners,” encouraging attendees to reflect on how our teaching practices today shape students’ abilities to adapt, think critically, and thrive tomorrow.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Susannah McGowan, Director for Curriculum Transformation Initiatives at The Red House at Georgetown University where she leads institution-wide initiatives that bring educational transformation at scale in the form of student co-creation, curriculum and program design, and inclusive pedagogies.
The conference is currently accepting proposals for presentations and we would love to see a big WCU presence! If you need help with your proposal, please email April Tallant at atallant@wcu.edu.
Submit your proposal by March 22, 2026!