Biltmore Park Day – September 2

Join us for a whole day of workshops in Biltmore Park

The Coulter Faculty Commons is heading to Asheville! We’re excited to host a Biltmore Park Day featuring four hands-on, practical workshops designed to support your teaching, wherever you’re based.

These workshops are open to any instructor who teaches at Biltmore Park, as well as main campus or online instructors who live nearby and would like to participate.

Join us for any or all of the following sessions on Tuesday, September 2, 2025:

Workshop 1: 9:00 – 10:00 am | BP 330

Teaching Philosophy Make & Take

It’s common for instructors to find it difficult to clearly express their teaching philosophy, even after years in the classroom. In this hands-on session, you’ll explore your core teaching beliefs, narrow them down to 3–5 guiding priorities, and learn how to express them in a clear, authentic narrative. Whether you’re preparing a statement for promotion and tenure or simply want to reconnect with your teaching purpose, you’ll leave with a strong draft and next steps. 

Workshop 2: 10:30 – 11:30 am | BP 330

Active Learning for In-Person Classes

Looking to energize your classroom? Explore simple, research-backed strategies to get students thinking, talking, and engaging. You’ll leave with ready-to-use ideas and a renewed sense of what’s possible face-to-face.

Workshop 3: 1:00 – 1:45 pm | BP 330

Grading in Canvas: SpeedGrader, Rubrics & Feedback Tools 

Simplify your grading workflow while maximizing feedback quality. Learn how to use SpeedGrader, apply rubrics, record video comments, and manage your gradebook with ease. 

Workshop 4: 2:00 – 2:45 pm | BP 330

Communication in Canvas: Be Present, Be Heard 

Stay connected with your students with built-in Canvas features. We’ll show you how to use announcements, feedback tools, the syllabus feature, and discussions to build an engaging and communicative course environment. 

Come connect with colleagues, learn something new, and let the CFC come to you!

Join us for ETLE 2025!

ETLE 2025: A Celebration of Excellence in Teaching and Learning

The Coulter Faculty Commons invites the WCU campus community to join us for our annual Excellence in Teaching & Learning Event (ETLE) – a two-day celebration of innovative and impactful teaching practices.

ETLE 2025 will feature a dynamic lineup of workshops, presentations, and opportunities to connect with colleagues who care deeply about student success. This year, we are especially thrilled to welcome Dr. Liz Norell – widely known as The Present Professor – as our invited speaker. Dr. Norell serves as the Associate Director of Instructional Support at the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at the University of Mississippi.

Flyer for the Excellence in Teaching and Learning Event 2025, including information about the speaking times and titles

In addition to delivering the ETLE keynote and a featured workshop, based on her recent book, The Present Professor – Authenticity and Transformational Teaching, Dr. Norell will lead a special pre-ETLE workshop entitled “When and Why do Students Read for Class?”

Her work centers on the power of showing up fully – with honesty, heart, and presence – in the classroom and beyond.

Whether you’re looking for fresh inspiration or eager to share your own experiences,
ETLE 2025 is for you!

Explore session descriptions and register now on the ETLE 2025 website.

Call for Interest: Hurricane Helene Symposium Fall 2025

Are you interested in a Learning Symposium to mark one year since Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact and to exchange knowledge across disciplines regarding the service, research, and teaching response of our faculty, staff, and students?

The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning is assessing interest in a potential university-wide event to do that next fall. Please indicate your interest by completing a brief form (< 2 minutes) no later than Friday, May 2.

There is no commitment required at this time. If there is enough interest, the information that you provide will help us to plan the event. Please contact Joy Mischley, Director, Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, for more information at jmischley@wcu.edu.

 

Call for Proposals – SITL 2025

Submit your Proposal for SITL 2025 

The Coulter Faculty Commons invites faculty to submit a proposal for a dynamic presentation, panel, hands-on workshop, or short story session for their annual 2-day institute.

The Call for Proposals for the 2025 Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning is now open! The theme for this year’s institute is Renaissance of Teaching: A Summer Faire of Ideas, Innovation, and Inspiration and will be held May 14 & May 15.  

Find detailed information, including a description of the conference tracks and proposal guidelines, on the 2025 SITL CfP website. Proposals will be accepted until the submission deadline on April 1, and presenters will be notified by April 15. 

Call for Proposals flyer for the 2025 Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning of the Coulter Faculty Commons.

Save the Date! Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning (SITL) 2025

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning!  

The theme for this year’s institute is Renaissance of Teaching: A Summer Faire of Ideas, Innovation, and Inspiration. The event will be held May 14 & May 15.

Call for proposals will open in March, proposals will be accepted until the submission deadline on April 1, and presenters will be notified by April 15.

Save the date flyer for Coulter Faculty Common's Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning on May 14 & 15.

CFC Open House

You’re Invited to Our Open House! 

Join WCU’s teaching center on Wednesday, Feb 12, from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm for a relaxed and engaging Open House at the Coulter Faculty Commons (CFC)! 

This is your opportunity to: 

  • Connect with colleagues from across campus. 
  • Meet our team and discover how we can support your work. 
  • Explore interactive stations featuring trivia and practical active learning ideas to take with you. 

Refreshments will be provided. Drop by, say hello, and leave with inspiration for your teaching and connections to enrich your work. 

You can find us on the first floor of Hunter Library.  

We look forward to welcoming you! 

Flyer for Coulter Faculty Common's Open House on Wednesday February 12.