Scott Seagle | Coulter Faculty Commons

Welcome New Faculty!

by Scott Seagle | Aug 31, 2026 | Blog, Professional Development, University Support

Western Carolina University is starting the fall 2026 semester with a warm welcome to 60 new faculty members who have officially joined the university’s academic ranks.

These new colleagues bring with them a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and community engagement. In choosing WCU, they’ve joined a remarkable community of lifelong learners — outstanding educators, creative scholars, and engaged contributors who help shape both the university and the region it serves.

The Coulter Faculty Commons is proud to support these new faculty members as they begin their journey at WCU. Through their teaching, they will help shape the futures of WCU students. Through their research and creative work, they will advance knowledge and strengthen the broader community.

Faculty Forward: A Learning Community for New Faculty

by Anabel Livengood | Aug 28, 2026 | Blog, Learning Community, Professional Development

Faculty Forward is a supportive program designed specifically for early-career (years 1-3) faculty who want to build a strong foundation in teaching. Through a series of interactive sessions, you’ll explore effective, evidence-based strategies to create engaging learning environments, foster student success, and grow your teaching confidence. You’ll also connect with peers from across campus who are on a similar journey – because good teaching doesn’t happen in isolation. Find more information on the CFC’s Faculty Forward homepage.

Fall 2026 meeting dates:

Our Wednesday Cohort meets 2:30 – 3:45 pm on the following days: 09/16, 09/30, 10/21, 11/04

Our Thursday Cohort meets 11:00 am – 12:15 pm on the following days: 9/17, 10/01, 10/22, 11/05

Register for either Faculty Forward Cohort via our Faculty Forward Registration Form.

What are your students thinking about the courses you teach so far?

by Anabel Livengood | Aug 28, 2026 | Blog, Feedback, Student Voices

Teaching Analysis Polls (TAPs) are back this fall!

You can sign up for our mid-semester feedback program to find out!

TAPs are an opportunity to hear directly from your students at a meaningful point in the semester, allowing you to make small adjustments that can strengthen both your teaching and your students’ learning.

Who is a TAP for?

Anyone who is teaching! Two of the most common reasons for instructors to sign up are they teach a class for the very first time or they have made significant changes to a class you have taught before. But other instructors like doing one when they find themselves in a bit of a teaching rut.

Vist the TAP website for details or sign up for a TAP below (limited spots available).

Fall 2026 TAP Dates

TAPs will run from Monday, September 21 – Friday, October 09 during the 2026 Fall semester.

Register for a TAP & save your spot!

Join the AI Community of Practice

by IT, CFC, Hunter Library | Aug 28, 2026 | AI, Blog, Learning Community

Whether you’re an AI novice or a more advanced user, the AI Community of Practice is a place to learn, share, and connect with colleagues across WCU.

Led by IT, Coulter Faculty Commons, and Hunter Library, this friendly community brings together faculty and staff to explore real-world applications of AI for teaching, learning, research, and workplace productivity. Each session features practical examples for all experience levels, from simple everyday uses to more complex ideas.

AI Community of Practice flyer, sponsored by IT, Coulter Faculty Commons, and Hunter Library.

Meetings include peer-led demonstrations, informal discussions, and opportunities to share your experiences, ask questions, and help shape WCU’s ongoing approach to AI. All are welcome! Just bring your curiosity (and your lunch!).

Fall 2026 Sessions

October 8 | Noon to 1:00 p.m.
November 10 | Noon to 1:00 p.m.
December 2 | Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Complete the quick interest form to receive calendar invitations and updates about future sessions!

Quantum Computing Faculty Learning Community

by CFC | Aug 27, 2026 | Blog, Learning Community, Professional Development

Faculty members interested in quantum computing and its applications are invited to participate in an interdisciplinary Quantum Computing Learning Community. While open to all faculty, this community may be of particular interest to colleagues in Mathematics/Computer Science, Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics.

The Faculty Learning Community will serve as a resource for interested faculty to stay current with the literature, collaborate with colleagues across disciplines, and create a shared syllabus of readings, modeling activities, and assignments. Faculty who are interested in learning more about quantum computing, developing curriculum, exploring research opportunities, or building interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged to participate.

Read more and complete this survey to let us know when you are available to meet as part of the FLC. If you have questions, please contact Enrique Gomez at egomez@wcu.edu.

A quantum computer with gold plates and intricate silver wiring against a black background