Western Carolina University logo with Coulter Faculty Commons

CFC Hosts Harvest-Themed Teacher-Scholar Gathering

by | Oct 14, 2026 | Blog, Event, Faculty Development Workshop, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Harvesting Insights: Exploring Successes and Challenges as Teacher-Scholars

The Coulter Faculty Commons (CFC) invites you to join colleagues for an engaging teacher-scholar conversation on October 29, 2:30-4:00 p.m. at the CFC Conference Room (156 Hunter Library). Two fellow teacher-scholars will kick off our time with success stories of their own experiences with the high-impact practices of Open Educational Resources (OER) and collaborative projects. Dr. Amanda Storm will share some practical strategies for implementing OER materials to aid student preparation, as well as lessons learned and insights into student engagement. Dr. Kaleigh May will present a collaborative learning activity from her classroom that uses the Start-Stop-Continue framework to strengthen group practices and norms.

Flyer advertising October 2026 teacher-scholar gathering with decorative images

After celebrating what’s working, we’ll turn our attention to the challenges we’re facing in our classrooms. You will have the opportunity to share a teaching challenge, question, or idea you’d like help thinking through. We’ll work together to generate practical strategies and fresh perspectives grounded in the scholarship of teaching and learning. We invite you to nominate topics in advance via our Teacher-Scholar Discussion Topics form. Come ready to contribute, ask questions, and learn from the collective wisdom of your colleagues! Fall-themed refreshments will be provided.

Submit a Discussion Topic

(Still) Teaching with AI – Six Professional Development Opportunities

by | Sep 29, 2026 | AI, Blog, Faculty Development Workshop

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has unarguably made its way into our classrooms and has affected our teaching on a multitude of levels. We also experience certain emotions on the topic of GenAI on a personal level, either positive, negative, or a complicated mix of both. AI is here to stay (for better or for worse) and we need to continue to ask ourselves how we want to adapt our teaching, research, and personal behaviors in response. We therefore want to highlight a few upcoming opportunities for you to continue to engage with this (seemingly never-ending) topic, all different in focus and scope: 

1. Community of Practice (offered and facilitated here at WCU) 

2. Resisting the Use of AI in Education: Taking a Stand for Our Students and Our Colleagues (watch external webinar on your own or join in-person watch party followed by a discussion) 

3. Evaluating AI Information for Reliability (WCU hybrid workshop)

4. Teaching & Learning with AI (asynchronous 4-week Canvas course) 

5. Western North Carolina AI Educators’ Exchange (daylong conference at Mars Hill University)

6. UNC System Generative AI in Teaching and Learning Faculty Learning Community (virtual FLC)


* Find detailed descriptions of each professional development opportunity further below.

AI Community of Practice flyer, sponsored by IT, Coulter Faculty Commons, and Hunter Library.
Banner with text Teaching and Learning with AI

Register

If any of these offerings speak to you, we invite you to register. Find detailed descriptions of each professional development opportunity further below.

Session Descriptions

AI Community of Practice  

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. 

Resisting the Use of AI in Education: Taking a Stand for Our Students and Our Colleagues – Watch Party

The CFC is hosting a watch party for a webinar facilitated by Joshua Eyler (University of Mississippi), Kevin Gannon (Queens University), Catherine Denial (University of Minnesota-Rochester), and Liz Norell (University of Mississippi). We will watch their webinar together and discuss our reactions right after. If you’d rather watch the webinar on your own and skip the discussion, register for the Resisting the Use of AI in Education webinar.  

Webinar description: Among the many voices nudging instructors and administrators toward an acceptance, or even a warm embrace, of generative AI, most of the opposition focuses on questions of academic integrity. But there are many more reasons to be skeptical of AI and its potential impact on learning, teaching, and well-being. In this panel discussion, four experts on pedagogy in higher education share research and reporting about the negative impacts of AI in education. Grounded in evidence and motivated by a shared commitment to humanistic values, this panel will make the case for prioritizing the relationships and care that we know power student learning. 

Evaluating AI Information for Reliability

This session, facilitated by Meredith Saba, acknowledges the value of the (trained) human eye when working with new technologies, such as AI, to ensure that the information is accurate and reliable, and can therefore be used for some purpose/application (to make decisions, solve problems, etc.) without issue. The goal of the session is for participants to learn how to critically evaluate GenAI outputs to determine if the information can be trusted and used reliably, while enhancing our overall thinking skills.

Upcoming asynchronous 4-week Canvas course “Teaching & Learning with AI”

While searching for resources of existing course content that we could share with you, we were struggling to find asynchronous courses that checked all the boxes we were attempting to check. We therefore decided to slightly change the model of what some of you might have already experienced when you completed other asynchronous trainings offered by the Coulter Faculty Commons, such as the UDL (Universal Design for Learning) or the EoT (Excellence in Online Teaching) course. We decided to curate a learning experience for you that exposes you to a variety of different sources that will help you decide what’s right for you. We are attempting to stay away from prescriptive recommendations that either might not be a right fit for your teaching context or might not align with your personal philosophy on how to integrate AI into your teaching.  

What you will find in this course then is an “AI syllabus” of readings and resources around three areas, followed by invitations of personal reflection to help you develop a path forward that is right for you. We invite you to also engage in discussions with your peers since we know that the combination of reviewing information, personal reflection, and discussion of ideas helps us solidify learning and growth.

Western North Carolina AI Educators’ Exchange

Western Carolina University is co-sponsoring the Western North Carolina AI Educator’s Exchange on November 13, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Educators from across Western North Carolina will meet at Mars Hill University to share what they’re doing with AI and decide what comes next. Seats are free but are limited to 15 per institution. You can register for a seat and enter the promo code WCUWX26. For carpooling, contact Jonathan Wade at jdwade@wcu.edu. 

UNC System Generative AI in Teaching and Learning Faculty Learning Community 

During the 2026-27 academic year, the UNC System is supporting the Generative AI in Teaching and Learning Faculty Learning Community (FLC). This FLC is an interdisciplinary initiative open to faculty members, librarians, and instructional professionals across the UNC System. This community focuses on exploring and leveraging Generative AI in Teaching and Learning. Through collaborative discussions, webinars, and hands-on activities, participants will discuss ways to responsibly use Generative AI technologies in their teaching so that AI technology enhances the learning experience while also mitigating the potential negative consequences. The FLC will be facilitated by a faculty members with experience in Generative AI in an educational context who will guide participants through the discussions and practical application activities. To learn more and apply, visit the Generative AI in Teaching and Learning FLC site. 

CFC Introduces Faculty-Led WISE Program

by | Sep 22, 2026 | Blog, Faculty Development Workshop, Teaching and Learning

WISE: Western Instructors Sharing Excellence

At Western Carolina University, teaching excellence grows through community. The Coulter Faculty Commons is pleased to announce the WISE (Western Instructors Sharing Excellence) Program. WISE invites instructors to share their most impactful teaching methods, innovative strategies, and effective uses of technology with colleagues across the institution.

Outstanding universities are defined not just by what happens in individual classrooms but by the cultures of knowledge-sharing that connect them. When instructors collaborate openly around their teaching practices, the benefits extend beyond any single course by enriching student learning, deepening collegial ties, and driving meaningful pedagogical growth.

As Lee Shulman puts it, ”Those who can, do. Those who understand, teach.”

WISE embodies this spirit: the best educators both practice and profess, and we grow stronger when we learn from one another.

WISE creates intentional opportunities for instructors to:

  • Celebrate innovation and make excellent teaching visible
  • Observe diverse pedagogical approaches across disciplines
  • Cultivate reflective practice and dialogue around meaningful learning
  • Build a community passionate about teaching and student success

WCU’s commitment to student success begins with supporting the people who teach them. In a time when teaching can feel isolating, WISE affirms a simple truth: we are better, and wiser, together.

Upcoming WISE Program Sessions

We are excited to kick of the WISE Program with three sessions, led by award-winning WCU faculty members Ben Steere, Kim Hall, and Emily Naser-Hall.

WISE Program Fall Lineup: 

  • October 21 | 1:30-2:30 pm
    Ben Steere: A Long-distance Running Approach to University Teaching: Applying Ideas from Endurance Running to Course Design, Assessment, and Teaching Philosophy
  • October 22 | 12:30-1:30 pm
    Kim Hall: Playful Pedagogy: Designing for Engagement, Confidence, and Deeper Learning
  • November 11 | 2:00-3:00 pm
    Emily Naser-Hall: Collaborative Course Design: Building a Classroom Collective

All three WISE Program sessions are held in the Flex Space (Hunter Library 101A).

Ben Steere

Ben Steere

Professor and Department Head | Anthropology and Sociology

Kim Hall

Kim Hall

Associate Professor and Program Director, Environmental Health Program | Department of Integrated and Environmental Health Sciences

Emily Naser-Hall

Emily Naser-Hall

Assistant Professor | English Studies

Register for WISE Sessions

WISE Program Session Descriptions

A Long-distance Running Approach to University Teaching: Applying Ideas from Endurance Running to Course Design, Assessment, and Teaching Philosophy

One of my biggest interests outside of teaching is long distance running. Over the last ten years, I have incorporated strategies and ideas from long distance running to make my teaching more student-centered, better organized, and fun. For example, I build my schedule of assessments in the way that a running coach might build a 15-week training plan, with each week aimed at meeting a clear goal and building on progress made in prior weeks. Likewise, I use insights from anthropological and sports science scholarship about running to help organize classes, group assignments, projects, and exams. Finally, at the broadest level, both running and scholarship are difficult, but incredibly rewarding. Some of the same techniques that runners use to finish long races or stick with training plans when they are tired can help students finish a long paper or successfully finish a difficult semester and feel proud of their results.

Playful Pedagogy: Designing for Engagement, Confidence, and Deeper Learning

Playful pedagogy uses curiosity, creativity, experimentation, and purposeful play to support meaningful learning. This interactive workshop will introduce practical strategies for incorporating playful approaches into higher education while maintaining academic rigor and alignment with learning objectives. Participants will experience hands-on activities that demonstrate how low-stakes exploration, collaborative challenges, gamified entry points, and creative problem-solving can increase student engagement and confidence. The session will also consider how playful learning can address common barriers to participation, including fear of failure, uncertainty, and disengagement. Rather than treating play as separate from serious academic work, the workshop frames it as a structured approach that encourages students to take intellectual risks, develop resilience, and move from initial uncertainty toward deeper understanding and mastery.

Collaborative Course Design: Building a Classroom Collective

Collaborative course design builds a classroom community of students who see themselves as co-creators of knowledge. This workshop will demonstrate strategies for constructing a collective classroom in which students participate in mutual design with the trust that their input and unique scholarly identities have value. I will demonstrate two activities that invite students to participate in course design and establish trust at the start of each semester: an Interactive Course Guide, which gives students an opportunity to provide feedback on the course trajectory, and an Introductory Survey, in which students share more about their interests and outside obligations so I can learn more about them as complete humans who exist beyond our classroom walls. These activities establish the foundation for students to feel comfortable sharing their interests and expertise, which guides them through the rest of the semester as curious explorers of their own scholarly identities.

Get Ready for Fall with the CFC

by | Jul 23, 2026 | Blog, Event, Faculty Development Workshop

Week Zero is Back!

We are pleased to announce that Week Zero is back to help you prep for Fall. Join the CFC and Campus Partners for a series of workshops, offered in-person, hybrid, and virtually. 

Visit the Week Zero website for the full schedule of sessions, including times, descriptions, and modality.
Please register to help us plan & receive the Zoom link for virtual sessions.

Week Zero flyer stating "Get ready for Fall with the CFC. August 7-12, in-person, virtual, and hybrid."

Week Zero Overview

Get a Jump Start – Friday, August 7

  • Syllabus Template & Conveying Course Information (2 sessions)
  • Intro to Canvas
  • Course Prep Open Studio

Syllabus, Accessibility, Assignments, & Engagement – Monday, August 10

  • Syllabus Template & Conveying Course Information (2 sessions)
  • Accessible by Design: Course Material Accessibility
  • Student Engagement Techniques
  • Designing Assignments That Showcase Human Learning

Canvas & Technology Day – Tuesday, August 11

  • Intro to Canvas
  • Grading in Canvas: SpeedGrader, Rubrics & Feedback
  • Communication in Canvas
  • Your Canvas Homepage: Setting the Tone from Day One
  • Technology Petting Zoo

Trauma-Informed Teaching – Wednesday, August 12

A Day Dedicated to Scholarly Teaching at WCU

by | Jul 1, 2026 | Blog, Event, Faculty Development Workshop, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Pop quiz: What is scholarly teaching?  

A. Thinking about your work as an educator and talking about teaching and learning with colleagues. 
B. Consulting with an educational developer and other resources (newsletters, peer-reviewed research, blogs) about your teaching practice or student learning. 
C. Designing course elements that are evidence-informed.  
D. All of the above. 

If you chose D – All of the above – you are correct!

Flyer for the Coulter Faculty Commons’ Teacher-Scholar Inspiration Day, depicting a happy light bulb.

Want to know more? Check out the Teacher-Scholar Inspiration Day website for the full schedule!

Teacher-Scholar Inspiration Day, hosted by Coulter Faculty Commons on July 28, 2026, offers an opportunity to explore and engage in scholarly teaching. Participants will have a chance to reflect, re–energize and connect teaching with evidence–based inquiry that benefits students, faculty and instructional staff. 

Provost Starnes will welcome participants and Dr. Laura Cruz, Research Professor at Penn State University’s Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, will serve as the keynote speaker and facilitator for this professional development experience. Teacher-Scholar Inspiration Day also includes concurrent sessions around the following three tracks:

  • High-Impact Practices (HIPs) Made Practical: HIPs that Fit Your Course 
  • From One Course to the Next: Sustaining Student Learning Over Time 
  • Teaching Students to Think and Talk: Facilitating Meaningful Dialogue

Another highlight of the day will be a panel of WCU faculty members who will share reflections on their Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) journeys, highlighting their growth from early inquiry to deeper scholarly engagement.  

Unable to attend but interested in learning more? Watch Elon University’s SoTL vs. Scholarly Teaching video interview with renowned SoTL scholars, stop by Coulter Faculty Commons to chat with a member of the CFC team, or set up a time to meet with April Tallant that works with your schedule. 

Register for the 2026 Teacher-Scholar Day

Teacher–Scholar Inspiration Day

by | Apr 6, 2026 | Blog, Event, Faculty Development Workshop, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

You are invited to attend Teacher–Scholar Inspiration Day, a one‑day gathering designed to energize your teaching, deepen student learning, and support your own well‑being as an educator. The event will take place on Tuesday, July 28, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM in Apodaca. Participants will receive a certificate of completion, a letter from the Coulter Faculty Commons, and a light breakfast and lunch. 

Through an engaging keynote delivered by Laura Cruz, faculty panel, interactive sessions, and collaborative conversations, participants will explore how small, intentional, evidence‑based shifts in teaching can make a meaningful difference for students and for ourselves. 

SoTL at WCU banya tree
Register for the 2026 Teacher-Scholar Day

The day emphasizes scholarly teaching: using curiosity, reflection, and research- informed practices to guide instructional choices. You’ll exchange ideas with colleagues, explore shared teaching challenges, and leave with practical inspiration you can carry into the year ahead. We’ll also have SoTL (the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) concurrent sessions as one possible pathway for turning teaching questions into collaborative inquiry. If you have never heard of  SoTL, are ready to begin planning a SoTL study, or your SoTL project is complete and you need help moving forward, we have you covered.  

All faculty, instructional staff, and graduate teaching assistants are welcome to attend and take away what is most meaningful for your teaching, your students, and your professional renewal. Come grounded in your current practice. Leave inspired, connected, and supported.