Seaver DEI Professional Development Opportunities

Seaver Spring 2023 Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs)

Seaver College is offering four different opportunities for both learning and practice in support of teaching and mentoring. We hope that you can join us for

one or more of the following FLCs. Once you indicate which sessions you are interested in attending using this link, you will receive an Outlook invitation. You are welcome to sign up for as many different FLCs as you like. Lunch will be provided at the beginning of each session. If you have any questions, please contact Associate Dean Heather Tarleton.

1. Alternative Grading FLC

For this workshop series we intend to draw upon a diverse group of individuals, ranging from experts to those who have absolutely no prior knowledge of the subject. Our discussions will cover the history of grading and how different forms of assessment impact our students. In particular, we will focus on the importance of instilling a growth mindset and its connections to DEI and alternative forms of assessment. We will explore some of the more popular forms of alternative grading, including standards-based grading, specifications grading, ungrading, and contract grading. In addition to learning about the nuts and bolts of these different forms of assessment, we will hear from the more experienced participants about their successes and the challenges they faced. As part of the workshop, we will encourage each participant to start with a specific course in mind and through a series of exercises, modify their course in a way that includes alternative assessment. 

• Friday, January 20, 2023 from 11:30am-1:00pm, (lunch at 11:45am)

• Friday, February 10, 2023 from 12-2pm, (lunch at 12pm)

• March 10, 2023 from 12-2pm, (lunch at 12pm) 

• April 21, 2023 from 12-2pm, (lunch at 12pm)

2. Inclusion and Engagement FLC

This series will focus on creating inclusive learning and research environments, as well as ways to encourage meaningful engagement in diverse ways that make student opportunities for participation more accessible. This series will also speak to facilitating the development of student’s science identities with particular emphasis on belonging and self-efficacy in STEM. 

• Wednesday, February 1, 2023 from 1:30-2:00pm, Meet and Greet on Zoom

• Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 12-2pm, Facilitating the Development of Students’ Science Identities (lunch at 12pm)

• Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 12-2pm, Inclusion and Engagement in STEM learning environments - part 1 (lunch at 12pm) 

• Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 12-2pm, Inclusion and Engagement in STEM learning environment - part 2 (lunch at 12pm)

3. Navigating Multicultural Difference in Our Classrooms

In order to support faculty in navigating differences, there is first a need to better understand the diversity of contexts that our students are learning and living within, such as points of cultural dissonance in academic and professional expectations and definitions of success and feeling lost and uncomfortable if the learning environment is not familiar or culturally accessible. These session aims to address what students want faculty to know about their backgrounds and lived experiences, and to build faculty capacity and awareness around how to best accompany students from diverse cultural backgrounds within our classrooms and departments. 

• Friday, February 3rd, 2023 from 11:30am-1pm (lunch at 11:30am), Learning and Understanding Multicultural Contexts

• Friday, February 17th, 2023 from 11:30am-1pm (lunch at 11:30am), Restorative Practices for Classrooms and Office Hours

4. Fostering Awe and Wonder in Our STEM Students

Everything we do to encourage learning, awe, and wonder are a part of our Mission. In fact, the very way we teach our students how to think and view the world is what we are here to do. Yes, we see our students as whole people when we meet them where they are and comfort, console, and try to understand their circumstances. But, we also need to help students read what is going on in their lives through the classroom – this will touch far more students than just those who stumble into our offices. We need to shift from limited valuation/focus in STEM on rigor and on reproducibility (human, non-human) toward reflection (what did I learn, what significance for me and for others, what am I going to do/how will I respond as a result). This collective effort will support metacognition, curiosity, and an appreciation of trial and error as a part of critical thinking and learning. 

• Tuesday, February 7, 2023  from 11:30am-1pm (lunch at 11:30am), Wonder – Why?

• Tuesday, March 7, 2023 from 11:30am-1pm (lunch at 11:30am), Wonder – How?

• Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 11:30am-1pm (lunch at 11:30am), Wonder – What’s Next?

 

 

Cultural Consciousness Conversations

During this year-long dialogue that aims to bring our community members closer together, we build bridges of understanding by sharing our stories, listening to others, and discussing important topics that shape our worldviews and cultural experiences. The cohort consists of faculty, staff, and administrators across various sectors of LMU, and all from diverse backgrounds. Dates for the 2022-2023 cohort are listed below. Sign up here for the 2022-23 cohort.  

• Friday, Jan. 27 (2 - 4 p.m.)
• Friday, Feb. 24 (2 - 4 p.m.)
• Friday, March 17 (2 - 4 p.m.)
• Friday, April 28 (2 - 4 p.m. )

 

Free Access to Grantwriting Resources for Seaver College Faculty: Seaver College faculty are eligible for access to an online, interactive learning module "Grants Learning Center" for NSF and NIH grant opportunities. This opportunity is offered through the university’s contracted partnership with Hanover Research. If you are a full-time faculty member that is interested in professional development toward grant writing, please request access by emailing your name, department affiliation and faculty title to Kristen.LeFalleSampson@lmu.edu.

If you have any questions or would like to connect with Seaver faculty that have participated in previous offerings including the Inclusive STEM Teaching Project, please contact Associate Dean Heather Tarleton.