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CFC Launches Teacher-Scholar Leadership Academy

by | Nov 2, 2026 | Blog, Learning Community, Professional Development, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Coulter Faculty Commons is pleased to announce the inaugural Teacher-Scholar Leadership Academy! 

The Teacher-Scholar Leadership Academy is designed to cultivate teacher-scholar leaders who actively explore, refine, and share evidence-informed scholarly teaching practices. Participants will select either one scholarly teaching practice they already use and want to develop further or one they would like to try. Through a cohort-based academy that meets over the course of six months, participants will examine literature, discuss implementation, serve as thought partners, gather feedback, launch their practice in class, and reflect on the process.

The first cohort will meet from December 2026-June 2027. All full-time (early-, mid-, and late-career), adjuncts, and instructional staff who want to grow their impact as a teacher-scholar are encouraged to apply! Applicants should:

  • Have a scholarly teaching practice they would like to explore more deeply, implement, or refine.
  • Be interested in connecting teaching decisions to educational literature and evidence.
  • Enjoy learning with colleagues through dialogue and reflection.
  • Be willing to open their classroom for non-evaluative observation to showcase their selected scholarly teaching practice.
  • Want to contribute to WCU’s culture of scholarly teaching and peer learning.
Two men and two women around a table discussing books

Benefits include a $1,000 stipend, support and coaching from the Coulter Faculty Commons, dedicated workspace, eligibility for dissemination funding, a certificate of completion, and a letter for annual evaluation or dossier materials.

To apply to participate in the first cohort, please fill out the Teacher-Scholar Leadership Academy Application form by November 30.

November Writing Days with the CFC

by | Sep 29, 2026 | Blog, Learning Community, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning, University Support

How are your writing projects going?  

Have you set yourself a goal over the summer to draft that journal article, edit the method section of your dissertation, or polish chapter 3 of the book you have been working on?  Whatever your writing plan might have been, it’s easy for the demands of the semester to throw a wrench into your beautifully sketched out timeline.  

No worries, we’ve got you covered to get you back on track! Sometimes it can help to work in the same shared space with fellow writers instead of putting off writing in favor of a grading emergency (we all have been there – no judgement!).  

Those of you familiar with the benefits of independent co-working time (sometimes also called body doubling or parallel play) might be intrigued by joining a writing circle. We set aside two days in November to allow you to leave your office and join us in Hunter Library to sneak in a few hours of planned writing time – and we will even provide coffee & snacks to keep you energized. 

Looking forward to writing with you! 

close up of desk scattered with papers and a laptop and hands of individuals holding pencils.

Who is the writing circle for? Anyone who wants some quiet time to write! 

What should I bring? Whatever YOU need to write:
Laptop / hardcopy of manuscript for edits / notepad / earbuds

November Writing Days: 

  • Monday, November 9 | 1:00 – 4:00 pm 
  • Thursday, November 12 | 9:00 am – noon 
Register for a Writing Circle

Faculty Forward: A Learning Community for New Faculty

by | 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. 

Purple leaf with the text Faculty Forward underneath

Join the AI Community of Practice

by | 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 | 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

Click.Craft.Connect

by | Mar 12, 2026 | Blog, Faculty Development Workshop, Learning Community, Online Learning, Teaching with Technology

Online Teaching Cohort Starts April 6

What if sharpening your online teaching skills also meant connecting with some of the most thoughtful instructors on campus? This April, the Coulter Faculty Commons is facilitating another cohort in its Excellence in Online Teaching Basics — a 4-week Canvas course that’s as much about community as it is about content.

Cat in a virtual meeting with other cats

Through 5 self-paced modules on Canvas, you’ll explore everything from the fundamentals of online learning to course design, student engagement, and beyond.

Each module takes just 1–2 hours to complete and the course includes 4 facilitated discussions where you can share your ideas with fellow instructors. 

Whether you’re brand new to teaching online or have a few semesters under your belt, this is your space to learn, reflect, and share what works.

Not sure if the EOT cohort is for you? Contact Scott Seagle at seaglej@wcu.edu to help you get started.

Register for the April 2026 EoT Cohort