B Y: G L EN D A HE N S L E Y
M A Y 7, 2 0 12
CEO Reminders
CALENDARS
Student Life Calendar: For a complete listing of what's going on for students from intramurals, to concerts and
lectures, to organizations, arts and culture, and so much more....
Events Calendar: For detailed information on the arts and culture scene at WCU - plays, concerts, art exhibits,
films, and more...
EVENTS
ACE --- an advance notice to help you plan for fall and to include in your syllabus!
ace.wcu.edu Check out all the fantastic opportunities to engage your students!
1) Palenque Rojo - September 11th at 730pm in the Bardo Arts Center
http://www.palenquerojo.com/
2) Upright Citizens Brigade – October 11th at 730pm in the Bardo Arts Center
http://www.uprightcitizens.org/
3) Nutcracker – December 6th at 730pm in the Bardo Arts Center
(Ballet by Ballet Conservatory of Asheville)
4) Savion Glover – January 24th at 730pm in the Bardo Arts Center
http://www.saviongloverproductions.com/
5) Kumar Das – March 12th at 730pm in the Bardo Arts Center
http://www.inflameclassic.com/
6) Nikky Finney – April 11th at 730pm in Coulter Recital Hall
http://nikkyfinney.net/
PLUS: a full independent film series through the Southern Circuit, and plans to bring the BANFF film festival with
Base Camp Cullowhee. For more information, please contact Lori Davis ledavis@email.wcu.edu
The University Participant Photo voice Project
Presented by the University Center Showroom April-May, 2012
The WCU University Participant (UP) Program provides an inclusive, two-year, oncampus living and learning experience for college-aged persons with intellectual
disabilities. This exhibit is their documentation and celebration of this college
experience.
EYE on FYE: Celebrate the Creed & PEAKS Block Party
Hopefully you were able to attend and see how your students celebrate the
community creed and enjoy the energy and fun as the class of 2015 began
their passage from their first year of college, ready to become sophomores.
Students enjoyed finding themselves on an 8 foot tall mosaic of Paws that
was created by all 1500 first-year photos! The design was created by
sophomore, Gabby Robinson.
Awards were given to the top creative entries for best individual, small
group, organization, and residence hall. Scott Hall took the trophy,
presented by Chancellor Belcher at the PEAKS Block Party. Other student
awards were presented by Student Affairs’ Vice-Chancellor, Sam Miller and
Jane Adams-Dunford, Assistant Vice-Chancellor and by Glenda Hensley, FYE
director.
We also recognized FY Advocate 2011-12 nominees (nominated by FY students). The “Student-choice” winner
this year was Will Shivers, Advising Center, who was presented with an engraved plaque by Carol Burton,
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies following welcome remarks by Provost, Beth Lofquist.
Gabby Robinson was awarded “Director’s Choice for the FY Advocate.”
OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Institute 2012: May 15-17, University Center
Registration for the Summer Institute (and focus team selections) has begun. You can register at
http://www.wcu.edu/30506.asp This year’s theme is transparency – that is, openness in both the teaching and
learning processes. Together, we will delve into clarity of purpose, both for ourselves and our students, turning
students from passive members of the audience into active participants in their own learning.
WCU Leadership Retreat 2012: Navigating the Future
The theme this year is “Navigating the Future” and includes workshops on topics such as strategic planning,
cultural change, shared vision, conflict resolution, and more.
The event will be held on May 31, 2012 from 9-4 in the UC Grand Room.
For more information and to register, please visit http://www.wcu.edu/30590.asp
LC2 -- Learning Community Retreat --- an invitation event June 8th.
If you are interested to explore teaching in a learning community and would love to have a full year to plan with
your colleagues and explore best practice, as well as innovative course design ideas, this retreat is for you! It
will be hosted on June 8th as a one-day retreat at NCCAT. Prepare to be inspired by a national scholar and
workshop facilitator; prepare to continue to inspire your students with a renewed sense of purpose. Are you
eager to partner with some of WCU's best faculty and staff--- look no further.
Contact Glenda Hensley for more information and to receive your invitation to LC2.
The Core
Teaching the Core - Workshops galore! --- FYE Transitions courses gear up for fall 2012
The professional development series for first-year instructors begins Monday, May 7th and 8th.
The purpose of these workshops is to facilitate our FYE instructors’ ability to effectively and creatively ‘deliver’
the WCU/FYE promise as defined by the Transition course goals. These workshops aim to help us all do what we
do better – to help with student persistence and retention – to help them become successful members of the
academy. Evaluation and assessment of our efforts here, as well as in the classrooms this fall will provide
suggestions for ‘what’s next?’ This series of workshops will take us beyond the basic introduction of services
into the heart of why those services are considered ‘Core’ and how instructors can best communicate to
students the importance of your department and your expertise.
You may reference this site for more: course goals, learning outcomes, and core elements.
What is ClassTIPS? (Courtesy of Sara Smith, Class TIPS Coordinator)
ClassTIPS is part of the DoIT's Technology Commons and provides software training for students. We can
provide training for individuals, classes, and workshops. From Microsoft Office to Final Cut Pro we are very
accommodating and if we can find a way to assist with the software you want to use, we will!
Services for students and faculty:
 Custom Built Trainings:
Custom trainings for your classes will allow your students to produce more robust work as they learn new
software skills. For example: if you would love to assign a video project and need assistance, or you have
technical problems with videos that don't work, then just let us know! To assist with this we can come to you
and do an in-class, hands-on training so that you and your students are left with a successful product. These
trainings can also give you an opportunity to learn new things about the software as you sit in on the class,
and you might even enjoy a nice break from teaching :).
 Technology Commons Classroom Workshops:
Ever changing weekly workshops occur in the Technology Commons Classroom on the ground floor of Hunter
Library where we try our best to gear these sessions towards student's needs. If you have projects that you
assign to several classes and think your students might need some extra help then we can run workshops
here for them to attend. My contact information is below. Please email or call to let us know what we can
do to help.
 Video Training:
We are working to build a library of video trainings so that you and your students can access this material
24/7. If you have assignments that you do every semester or important projects that require software skills
then we can build training tutorials to serve those needs. We would love to hear your ideas for videos you
think your students might need.
Software Questions: We can assist you with determining which software is best for your students to execute
their assignments. As you develop your syllabi for summer or fall, think of us. I look forward to working with
you and I hope to hear from you soon. Happy end of the semester everyone!
ClassTIPS Contact Information: Email: classtips@wcu.edu Phone: 828-227-2793
Resource File
Blackboard --- reference and participate in the Transition Pathways Course site....
CFC on the Web --- help with teaching, technology, and more--- helping you do what you do better!
FYE on the Web --- many resources and network links to help you along the way …..
QEP on the Web --- discover the possibilities - find the resources you need - find your path.....
The Education Briefcase: Are you introducing the eBriefcase to your course? There is a ton
of support ready to help you and your students. For faculty and instructors – see more on
their website.
TRANSITION PATHWAYS: The Blackboard Commons: If you are planning to teach a transition course, next
fall I invite you to review this site and offer your suggestions, best practice tips and or requests for resources we
can post that will be of help to you. You will see it on your Blackboard menu under organizations. Questions:
contact Glenda Hensley at ghensley@wcu.edu
The next regular publication date is June 4, 2012 --- please let me know if you want to share updates about
programs, events, or other opportunities for teaching and learning in FYE!
Glenda Hensley, FYE Director