First, we recommend attending one of April's two UNV 101 information sessions. We send out postcards to all faculty and staff, inviting anyone interested. We ask everyone to submit an application along with the required documents.
We talk about student development theories and teaching methods, and we also talk about support resources for our instructors.
We cover the Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) and National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), which tell us who our students are and where they're heading.
Recent faculty have learned:
"The format of the workshop, having the participants actively engage as our students will, is brilliant. The 'hands-on' experience taught me so much more than just listening to a speaker would have."
“How to create an atmosphere that invites conversation and active learning so that faculty can enhance students’ learning experience.”
“How to create an engaging environment in the classroom.”
“The importance of building community within UNV 101 – between students in the classroom, between instructors, etc.”
“Letting students know they can rely on you to help adjust to and make the most of their college experience while potentially building a lifelong contact to turn to for assistance, references, professional support, etc.”
"What freshmen expect they will be doing in their first year is not what they reported they do; first-generation college students have different challenges than other students; building a network is essential for freshman success."
We have a Canvas site with all sorts of teaching ideas, worksheets, lesson plans, and a faculty manual.
We also have an advisory committee of eight veteran instructors who develop our annual training and mentor new instructors. They evaluate our student learning outcomes, goals, and purpose of the class.
Requiring Faculty Attendance
For professional development, UNV 101 faculty must attend at least four First-Year Seminar Workshops and the annual First-Year Seminar Retreat to maintain teaching credentials each year.
Faculty development opportunities will be posted here as they become available. Please check back, as the list will update throughout the year.
August 10, 2023
Faculty from the Fall 2023 UNV 101 courses will meet their Peer Coach and do a team building activity and discuss the upcoming semester.
September 6, 2023
A session designed around teaching content with a guest speaker. Content will be announced soon.
October 4, 2023
A session designed around teaching content with a guest speaker. Content will be announced soon.
November 8, 2023
A session designed around teaching content with a guest speaker. Content will be announced soon.
December 15, 2023
An end-of-the-semester discussion around finals, grade submission, and team-building activities. A holiday theme will be utilized.
January 9, 2024
Faculty from Fall 2023 UNV 101 courses will meet and discuss the utilization of previous content in the new content structure, how the Fall 2023 semester went, evaluate the Major Career Project, and discuss interest in the upcoming semester.
February 7, 2024
A session designed around teaching content with a guest speaker. Content will be announced soon.
March 13, 2024
A session designed around teaching content with a guest speaker. Content will be announced soon.
April 3, 2024
A session designed around teaching content with a guest speaker. Content will be announced soon.
May 7-8, 2024
A two-day training session designed around teaching content, being a first-year seminar instructor, and working with peer coaches. There will be guest speakers. Content will be announced soon.
February 15, 2023
Faculty from Fall 2022 UNV 101 courses will meet and discuss the utilization of previous content in the new content structure, how the Fall 2022 semester went, evaluate the Major Career Project, and discuss interest in the upcoming semester.
March 2023
Faculty will learn about how to use Navigate resources in their course. This will be partnered with how to use functions of the Student Administration Tab in myNKU.
April 2023
Faculty will learn about the new UNV 101 content and its uses in the course. They will be given access to the MindTap course content and designate their upcoming fall 2023 schedule and course assignments.
May 2023
This training is required to teach in the Fall 2023 semester. This training will cover the remodeled course, the updated content, and expectations.
May 2023
This workshop is a follow-up to the Tools for Success. This is required of all new instructors. Those returning who wish to participate may. This workshop will cover common teaching questions, and student scenarios, and help new instructors be prepared for their first time teaching.
June 2023
This workshop will help faculty design their course and have Canvas questions answered with a trained CITE instructor leading the conversation.
July 2023
This will have Fall 2023 faculty coming together to discuss any last minutes questions about the upcoming semester. We will work through any new instructors' questions and gear up for the new content.
For the Fall 2022 UNV 101 courses, we ask faculty to adopt Cornerstones for College Success by Robert Sherfield and Patricia Moody. This book is motivational and also stresses the importance of having a focus and maintaining self-discipline within an academic setting.
Our online learning system, Canvas, has a UNV 101 Instructors site that includes a resource manual, many successful assignments, and key contacts across campus. UNV 101 faculty are given access to these resources once a section of the course is assigned to them.
The Office of First-Year Experience has a variety of books, videos, and learning tools that regard student development and freshman-friendly pedagogy.
Please RSVP to First-Year Conversations at least two weeks before UNV 101 Conversation.
Northern Kentucky University
Nunn Drive, UC 122
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: 859-572-7876
E-mail: fye@nku.edu
Northern Kentucky University
University Center, 210
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: 859-572-6900
E-mail: fyssh@nku.edu
