Initiative for Faculty Success and Equity Workshop

Join us on August 19, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m, at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center for a faculty workshop on building knowledge and providing practical skills on how to better center equity and inclusion in the search process and career development with a focus on Penn State tenure-line faculty.

The Initiative for Faculty Success and Equity Workshop will include a hybrid (in person and live-streamed) morning session open to all Penn State faculty as well as in-person workshops in the afternoon, which will require registration.

Lunch will be provided for all in-person participants and the day will wrap up with networking and cocktails. More information, including a link to register, will be announced at a later date.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Timothy Eatman, Educational Sociologist, Publicly Engaged Scholar and Inaugural Dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community and Professor of Urban Education at Rutgers University-Newark, will be the event's morning keynote speaker.

Sponsored by the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI), the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research's Interdisciplinary Research Institutes, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity.

2024 IFSE Workshop Resources

2024 Agenda

Time	Event	Description
8:00	Coffee and Registration
8:30	Welcome	Welcome by Deborah Ehrenthal, Director, Social Science Research Institute
8:45	Introduction of Keynote	Intro of Keynote: Dr. Nicole Webster, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Penn State
9:00	Keynote Address	Keynote Presentation: Publicly engaged scholarship in the 21st Century Academe: Beware the shrinking imagination Dr. Timothy Eatman, Educational Sociologist, Publicly Engaged Scholar and Inaugural Dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community and Professor of Urban Education at Rutgers University-Newark
10:15-10:30	Break
10:30-11:30	Panel Discussion	Panel Discussion- Empowering Leadership: Shaping Your Future in academia and at Penn State The panel will explore the concept that leadership is not determined by one's academic title or position, but rather by building relationships, communicating effectively, and influencing others. Regardless of your role at the university, you have the power to use your voice to shape your own career and influence the future of Penn State. This session will define leadership, discuss opportunities for faculty members to enhance their leadership skills, and offer strategies to enact effective leadership. Facilitator: Zoubeida Ounaies, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Penn State Panel: Dr. Timothy Eatman, Educational Sociologist, Publicly Engaged Scholar and Inaugural Dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community and Professor of Urban Education at Rutgers University-Newark Dr. Camelia Kantor, Associate Research Professor and Associate Director, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences- Strategic Initiatives, Penn State Dr. Marcela Borge, Associate Professor, Learning, Design, and Technology, Center for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE), Penn State  Dr. Jeff Catchmark, Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Bioethics, Affiliated Faculty of the Rock Ethics Institute. Penn State Dr. Scott Medina, William and Wendy Korb Early Career Professor, Huck Leadership Fellow, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State Dr. Nicole Webster, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Penn State
11:30	Break	Transition to Lunch
11:45-1:00	Networking Lunch	Lunch conversations
1:00-2:30	Concurrent Workshops	LGBTQ+ Identities: Supporting those holding diverse genders and/or sexualities at Penn State and beyond Facilitator: Sonya Wilmoth-Director at the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity This workshop will explore the different identities that make up the vibrant LGBTQ+ community and share ways to support and advocate as an ally. Terms and definitions, issues facing the community, and inclusive language will be just three of the areas highlighted.
		Building Culturally Conscious Spaces in Higher Ed Facilitators: LaWanda Ward, Associate Professor of Education and Associate Director, Center for Higher Education, Penn State and Nicole Webster, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Professor of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, College of Health and Human Development, Penn State
		Maintaining Effective Communication with Your Faculty Mentees Description: Good communication is a key element of any relationship and a mentoring relationship is no exception. As research mentors, it is not enough to say that we know good communication when we see it. Rather, it is critical that mentors reflect upon and identify characteristics of effective communication and take time to practice communication skills in the session and with their mentees. Workshop Learning Objectives – At the end of the workshop, mentors will have the knowledge and skills to: Learn to identify different communication styles. Communicate effectively across diverse dimensions including various backgrounds, disciplines, generations, ethnicities, and positions of power. (The material in this workshop is adapted from the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) Entering Mentoring curriculum. https://cimerproject.org/) Facilitators: Michelle Vigeant-Haas, Associate Professor of Acoustics & Architectural Engineering, Penn State Eric Hudson, Associate Professor of Physics & Associate Head for Diversity and Equity, Department of Physics, Penn State Alan Rieck, Associate Vice Provost and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Penn State
		Story Circles, The Transforming Power of Story The power of story to support faculty as co-learners to strengthen approaches to publicly engaged scholarship (PES). Facilitated by Dr. Timothy Eatman, Sociologist, Publicly Engaged Scholar and Inaugural Dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community and Professor of Urban Education at Rutgers University-Newark
		Next STEPS Training in Equitable Faculty Search (Part 1) When hiring for faculty positions, Penn State is competing for the best talent with many other institutions. A well-designed recruitment process intentionally blunts existing biases and helps all job candidates portray themselves in the most favorable light, while also putting Penn State’s best foot forward as a supportive work environment. This workshop outlines best practices for the entire hiring process, from composing a job advertisement to following up after a job offer is made. Facilitators: Dr. Dave Hunter, Professor of Statistics, Penn State Dr. Emily Ansell, Associate Professor, Biobehavioral Health, Penn State Dr. Moriah Szpara, Professor of Biology, Penn State
2:30-2:45	Break
2:45-4:15	Concurrent Workshops	LGBTQ+ Identities: Supporting those holding diverse genders and/or sexualities at Penn State and beyond Facilitator: Sonya Wilmoth-Director at the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity This workshop will explore the different identities that make up the vibrant LGBTQ+ community and share ways to support and advocate as an ally. Terms and definitions, issues facing the community, and inclusive language will be just three of the areas highlighted.
		Building Culturally Conscious Spaces in Higher Ed (Teaser) - Webster/Ward Facilitators (REPEAT)
		Aligning Expectations with Your Faculty Mentees Description: One critical element of an effective mentor-mentee relationship is a shared understanding of what each person expects from the relationship. Problems between mentors and mentee often arise from misunderstandings about expectations. Importantly, expectations change over time, so frequent reflection and clear communication about expectations are needed regularly. Workshop Learning Objectives – At the end of the workshop, mentors will have the knowledge and skills to: Listen to and consider the expectations of their mentee in the mentoring relationship. Consider how personal and professional differences may impact expectations. Clearly communicate expectations for the mentoring relationship. Align mentee and mentor expectations. The material in this workshop is adapted from the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) Entering Mentoring curriculum. https://cimerproject.org/ Facilitators: Michelle Vigeant-Haas, Associate Professor of Acoustics & Architectural Engineering, Penn State Eric Hudson, Associate Professor of Physics & Associate Head for Diversity and Equity, Department of Physics, Penn State
		Story Telling Circles, Facilitated by Dr. Tim Eatman (REPEAT)
		Next STEPS Training in Equitable Faculty Search (Part 2)
4:15	Break
4:30-5:30	Networking Cocktails	Closing Remarks Zoubeida Ounaies, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Penn State Reception follows

Time

Event

Description

8:00

Coffee and Registration

8:30

Welcome

Welcome by
Deborah Ehrenthal, Director, Social Science Research Institute

8:45

Introduction of Keynote

Intro of Keynote: Dr. Nicole Webster, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Penn State

9:00

Keynote Address

Keynote Presentation: Publicly engaged scholarship in the 21st Century Academe: Beware the shrinking imagination
Dr. Timothy Eatman, Educational Sociologist, Publicly Engaged Scholar and Inaugural Dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community and Professor of Urban Education at Rutgers University-Newark

10:15-10:30

Break

10:30-11:30

Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion- Empowering Leadership: Shaping Your Future in academia and at Penn State
The panel will explore the concept that leadership is not determined by one's academic title or position, but rather by building relationships, communicating effectively, and influencing others. Regardless of your role at the university, you have the power to use your voice to shape your own career and influence the future of Penn State. This session will define leadership, discuss opportunities for faculty members to enhance their leadership skills, and offer strategies to enact effective leadership.
Facilitator:
Zoubeida Ounaies, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Penn State
Panel:
Dr. Timothy Eatman, Educational Sociologist, Publicly Engaged Scholar and Inaugural Dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community and Professor of Urban Education at Rutgers University-Newark
Dr. Camelia Kantor, Associate Research Professor and Associate Director, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences- Strategic Initiatives, Penn State
Dr. Marcela Borge, Associate Professor, Learning, Design, and Technology, Center for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE), Penn State 
Dr. Jeff Catchmark, Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Bioethics, Affiliated Faculty of the Rock Ethics Institute. Penn State
Dr. Scott Medina, William and Wendy Korb Early Career Professor, Huck Leadership Fellow, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State
Dr. Nicole Webster, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Penn State

11:30

Break

Transition to Lunch

11:45-1:00

Networking Lunch

Lunch conversations

1:00-2:30

Concurrent Workshops

LGBTQ+ Identities: Supporting those holding diverse genders and/or sexualities at Penn State and beyond
Facilitator: Sonya Wilmoth-Director at the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
This workshop will explore the different identities that make up the vibrant LGBTQ+ community and share ways to support and advocate as an ally. Terms and definitions, issues facing the community, and inclusive language will be just three of the areas highlighted.

Building Culturally Conscious Spaces in Higher Ed
Facilitators:
LaWanda Ward, Associate Professor of Education and Associate Director, Center for Higher Education, Penn State and Nicole Webster, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Professor of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, College of Health and Human Development, Penn State

Maintaining Effective Communication with Your Faculty Mentees
Description: Good communication is a key element of any relationship and a mentoring relationship is no exception. As research mentors, it is not enough to say that we know good communication when we see it. Rather, it is critical that mentors reflect upon and identify characteristics of effective communication and take time to practice communication skills in the session and with their mentees.

Workshop Learning Objectives – At the end of the workshop, mentors will have the knowledge and skills to: Learn to identify different communication styles.
Communicate effectively across diverse dimensions including various backgrounds, disciplines, generations, ethnicities, and positions of power.
(The material in this workshop is adapted from the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) Entering Mentoring curriculum. https://cimerproject.org/)

Facilitators:
Michelle Vigeant-Haas, Associate Professor of Acoustics & Architectural Engineering, Penn State
Eric Hudson, Associate Professor of Physics & Associate Head for Diversity and Equity, Department of Physics, Penn State
Alan Rieck, Associate Vice Provost and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Penn State

Story Circles, The Transforming Power of Story
The power of story to support faculty as co-learners to strengthen approaches to publicly engaged scholarship (PES).
Facilitated by Dr. Timothy Eatman, Sociologist, Publicly Engaged Scholar and Inaugural Dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community and Professor of Urban Education at Rutgers University-Newark

Next STEPS Training in Equitable Faculty Search (Part 1)
When hiring for faculty positions, Penn State is competing for the best talent with many other institutions. A well-designed recruitment process intentionally blunts existing biases and helps all job candidates portray themselves in the most favorable light, while also putting Penn State’s best foot forward as a supportive work environment. This workshop outlines best practices for the entire hiring process, from composing a job advertisement to following up after a job offer is made.
Facilitators:
Dr. Dave Hunter, Professor of Statistics, Penn State
Dr. Emily Ansell, Associate Professor, Biobehavioral Health, Penn State
Dr. Moriah Szpara, Professor of Biology, Penn State

2:30-2:45

Break

2:45-4:15

Concurrent Workshops

Building Culturally Conscious Spaces in Higher Ed (Teaser) - Webster/Ward Facilitators (REPEAT)

Aligning Expectations with Your Faculty Mentees
Description: One critical element of an effective mentor-mentee relationship is a shared understanding of what each person expects from the relationship. Problems between mentors and mentee often arise from misunderstandings about expectations. Importantly, expectations change over time, so frequent reflection and clear communication about expectations are needed regularly.

Workshop Learning Objectives – At the end of the workshop, mentors will have the knowledge and skills to:
Listen to and consider the expectations of their mentee in the mentoring relationship.
Consider how personal and professional differences may impact expectations.
Clearly communicate expectations for the mentoring relationship.
Align mentee and mentor expectations.
The material in this workshop is adapted from the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) Entering Mentoring curriculum. https://cimerproject.org/

Facilitators:
Michelle Vigeant-Haas, Associate Professor of Acoustics & Architectural Engineering, Penn State
Eric Hudson, Associate Professor of Physics & Associate Head for Diversity and Equity, Department of Physics, Penn State

Story Telling Circles, Facilitated by Dr. Tim Eatman (REPEAT)

Next STEPS Training in Equitable Faculty Search (Part 2)

4:15

Break

4:30-5:30

Networking Cocktails

Closing Remarks
Zoubeida Ounaies, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Penn State Reception follows

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2024 Agenda