The latest pandemic pivot just feels different. University faculty facing the omicron wave share fears, hopes, research-driven recommendations, and a few laughs. With Drs. Lacie Barber, Joanna Brooks, Michael Borgstrom, and Paula Peter. Hosted by Dr. D.J. Hopkins.

Links to resources for faculty in higher ed:
Tools and strategies are available at key SDSU websites: The Center for Teaching and Learning (ctl.sdsu.edu), the Center for Inclusive Excellence (cie.sdsu.edu), and Instructional Technology Services (its.sdsu.edu). Additional resources are available at the CTL Canvas site.

From ITS:  The Flexible Course Design Toolkit offers 18 modules to assist faculty with online, hybrid, and blended teaching skills and knowledge. Topics include fostering social presence within the online modality, promoting student engagement with in-video quizzing, collaborating with Google Workspace, utilizing an array of Canvas features, and other related tools and topics. The Flexible Course Design Institute (Flex-CDI) offers the toolkit content, which is available as a resource that you can move through at your own pace. To preview the content of the Canvas course, please use the toolkit course link. To add this course to your Canvas account, please use the toolkit enroll link here:  https://sdsu.instructure.com/enroll/WM98NC

Bios
Dr. Lacie Barber
https://psychology.sdsu.edu/people/larissa-barber/

Dr. Michael Borgstrom
https://literature.sdsu.edu/people/borgstrom

Dr. Joanna Brooks
https://literature.sdsu.edu/people/brooks

Dr. Paula Peter
https://business.sdsu.edu/about/directory/ppeter

Dr. D.J. Hopkins
https://ttf.sdsu.edu/faculty/theatre_faculty_profiles/d.j-hopkins

2.1. “I’m. Super. Over it.”: Faculty talk about how COVID semester 5 feels

Full and part-time faculty share the distinct experience of adjunct faculty in the fifth semester in which higher ed is impacted by the pandemic.

This semester just seems different, especially for our adjunct colleagues. A sequel episode about this latest COVID wave — full and part-time lecturers share their experiences, expertise, and a few aspirations toward labor equity. With SDSU faculty members Ken Arnold, Tishna Asim, and Katie Turner. Hosted by Dr. D.J. Hopkins.

Note for listeners: On our campus, “lecturer” is the term used for full- or part-time adjunct instructors. When our guests say “lecturer,” they’re referring to adjunct faculty.

Bios
Tishna Asim is a lecturer in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at SDSU. A former trial attorney, Asim teaches law and crime texts, detective fiction, Gothic and horror, and children's literature.

Dr. Katie Turner is a lecturer and the Undergraduate Advisor in Theatre at SDSU.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yfOkY6TPr9BmAilNy2W1MUws6kOokyhC-X-MJwRqMG8/edit?usp=sharing

Ken Arnold is a lecturer in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at SDSU, an engineering consultant, author, entrepreneur, and founder & head of HTE consulting services.
www.linkedin.com/in/kenarnoldentrepreneur

Dr. D.J. Hopkins
https://ttf.sdsu.edu/faculty/theatre_faculty_profiles/d.j-hopkins

2.2:  "I’m. Super. Over it." 2: The Adjunct Experience

Psychology professors discuss the mental health challenges faced by faculty in higher ed.

A panel of PhD-holding psychologists discusses responses to the mental health challenges faced by faculty in higher ed, especially in these latter days of the COVID-19 pandemic. With SDSU professors Dr. Lisa Kath, Dr. Allison Vaughn, and Dr. Feion Villodas. Hosted by Dr. D.J. Hopkins.

San Diego State University’s guidance for “Faculty Well-Being”:
https://fa.sdsu.edu/resources/work_life

San Diego State University’s Women of Color Empowerment Group:
https://fa.sdsu.edu/woc

Special thanks to Dr. Joanna Brooks, SDSU Associate Vice-President for Faculty Advancement and Student Achievement and founder of the Faculty Futures Lab podcast.

Bios
Dr. Lisa Kath is an associate professor of industrial-organizational psychology at San Diego State University, specializing in occupational health psychology. Visit https://lisakath.com/.

Dr. Allison Vaughn is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University and the Associate Director for the SDSU Center for Teaching and Learning.
https://psychology.sdsu.edu/people/allison-vaughn/

Dr. Feion Villodas is a Clinical Psychologist, a Faculty member in the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University, and SDSU’s Executive Director of Graduate Life and Diversity.
https://sacd.sdsu.edu/gradlife/team

Dr. D.J. Hopkins is a professor at San Diego State University. He specializes in Shakespeare in performance. His current research includes immersive theatre and virtual reality. @_DJHopkins 
https://ttf.sdsu.edu/faculty/theatre_faculty_profiles/d.j-hopkins

2.3: Faculty Mental Health

On April 19, 2022, the SDSU Women Faculty of Color Empowerment Group convened with the support of the CSU a systemwide webinar for women faculty of color, led by Dr. Lande Ajose, Vice President of the Public Policy Institute of California.  Listen in to feel a sense of commonality and community with other women faculty of color, or to learn more about the experiences of your colleagues.  Facilitated by SDSU faculty Drs. Feion Villodas, marcela polanco, and Nola Butler-Byrd, with support from SDSU graduate student Yasmin Willis.

2.4:  For CSU Women Faculty of Color — Dr. Lande Ajose

This episode of Faculty Futures Lab is the first in a new series, “How to Professor,” in which FFL host D.J. Hopkins talks to professors about how they got good at the things they do. This episode is about teaching, and the guest is Dr. Elizabeth Pollard. 

Dr. Elizabeth Pollard is a Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence at San Diego State University, where she teaches courses in Roman History, World History, and witchcraft studies. More recently, Dr. Pollard has co-founded San Diego State’s brand-new Center for Comics Studies. https://history.sdsu.edu/people/pollard

Dr. D.J. Hopkins is a professor in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University. He specializes in Shakespeare in performance. His current research includes immersive theatre and virtual reality. On Twitter @_DJHopkins 
https://ttf.sdsu.edu/faculty/theatre_faculty_profiles/d.j-hopkins

2.5 How to Professor: Teaching

This episode of Faculty Futures Lab is part of a new series, “How to Professor,” in which FFL host D.J. Hopkins talks to professors about how they got good at the things they do. This episode is about incorporating the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into teaching, service, and especially research. Guests: Dr. Lori Barker (Cal Poly Pomona)and Dr. Allison Vaughn (San Diego State). Lori was Allison’s mentor when Allison was an undergraduate student, and they’ve stayed in touch ever since... Hosted by Dr. D.J. Hopkins (SDSU).

Dr. Lori Barker is a professor in the department of psychology at Cal Poly Pomona and a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in multicultural psychology. 
https://experts.cpp.edu/member/lori-a-barker/

Dr. Allison Vaughn is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University and the Associate Director for the SDSU Center for Teaching and Learning. https://psychology.sdsu.edu/people/allison-vaughn/

Dr. D.J. Hopkins is a professor in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University. He has published on Shakespeare in performance, among other subjects. He is a 2022 Darlene Shiley Honors College Faculty Fellow. D.J.’s current research includes immersive theatre and Virtual Reality. @_DJHopkins 
https://ttf.sdsu.edu/faculty/theatre_faculty_profiles/d.j-hopkins

Special thanks to Allison for suggesting this episode!

FFL 3.1 How to Professor: Inclusive Research and Teaching

Dean of Communications at Cal State Fullerton, Dr. Bey-Ling Sha, talks about her path to academic leadership and what Inclusive Academic Leadership means to her in 2022. Hosted by Dr. D.J. Hopkins.


Bios
Dr. Bey-Ling Sha is a public relations teacher-scholar, a higher-education leader, a social-justice activist, and the co-parent of two young men. She joined Cal State Fullerton in 2019 as dean of
the College of Communications after 15 years at San Diego State University, where she was a public relations professor, then director of the School of Journalism and Media Studies, and acting associate dean of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. Link to Dr. Sha’s bio:
https://communications.fullerton.edu/faculty/bey_ling_sha/bey_ling_sha.php

Dr. D.J. Hopkins is a professor at San Diego State University. His research includes Shakespeare in performance and theatre in urban contexts. His current research includes immersive theatre and virtual reality. @_DJHopkins 
https://ttf.sdsu.edu/faculty/theatre_faculty_profiles/d.j-hopkins

FFL 3.2 How to Professor: Inclusive Academic Leadership

Faculty Futures Lab returns for a new academic year. Listen to the trailer for Season 4, Episode 1. Featuring Dr. E.J. Sobo, with hosts Dr. D.J. Hopkins and Dr. Pamella Lach. Produced by the San Diego State University Center for Teaching and Learning. Learn more at ctl.sdsu.edu.

TRAILER: AI in the Classroom (Faculty Futures Lab 4.1)

Season 4 of FFL kicks off with a lively discussion of the impact of generative AI on higher education, with a focus on ChatGPT and writing. With guest Dr. E.J. Sobo, author of “Could ChatGPT Prompt a New Golden Age in Higher Education?” Hosts: Dr. D.J. Hopkins and Dr. Pam Lach

The Faculty Futures Lab podcast is a faculty-led effort to consider the challenges facing institutions of higher education in complex and uncertain times. All guests speak from their own expertise and experience. Produced by the San Diego State University Center for Teaching and Learning. Learn more at ctl.sdsu.edu. 

BIOS
Dr. Elisa J. Sobo, a professor at San Diego State University, is the Director for Undergraduate Research in the College of Arts and Letters and a Faculty Fellow in the division of Instructional Technology Services. A Medical Anthropologist, EJ’s research has focused on non-biomedical or alternative approaches to health, including through vaccination selectivity. She is currently investigating yogic sound bath therapy. https://anthropology.sdsu.edu/people/sobo

Dr. D.J. Hopkins (he/him) is a professor at San Diego State University. His publications focus on Shakespeare in performance and theatre in urban contexts. His current research includes immersive theatre and Virtual Reality. He is the Director of SDSU’s Center for Teaching and Learning. https://ttf.sdsu.edu/faculty/theatre_faculty_profiles/d.j-hopkins

Dr. Pamella Lach (she/her) is the Digital Humanities Librarian at San Diego State University and Director of the Library’s Digital Humanities Center (https://library.sdsu.edu/dh), a values-oriented space designed to blur and disrupt disciplinary boundaries. She is co-director of SDSU’s Digital Humanities Initiative (https://dh.sdsu.edu/). https://library2.sdsu.edu/people/pamella-lach

Special thanks to Patrick Flanigan, the SDSU Digital Humanities Center Programs & Operations Specialist. Thanks for making us sound great!

CITATIONS and LINKS
Stein, Jordan Alexander. “Instead of Policing Students, We Need to Abolish Cheating.” Chronicle of Higher Education. 7 Sept. 2023. https://www-chronicle-com.libproxy.sdsu.edu/article/instead-of-policing-students-we-need-to-abolish-cheating?cid=gen_sign_in

Sobo, E.J. “Could ChatGPT Prompt a New Golden Age in Higher Education?” Teaching and Learning Anthropology Journal 6.1 (2023). https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5p3048f2

“Suspicion, Cheating, and Bans: A.I. Hits America’s Schools.” The Daily (podcast). 28 June 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily

AI in the Classroom

FFL 4.1 "AI in the Classroom"

In the first episode of season six, host D.J. Hopkins sits down with Dr. Joanna Brooks to ask her: “What’s a university for…?” Along with co-host Pam Lach, they explore the role of universities in periods of crisis and political upheaval. Brooks talks about her concept of “emergent humanities,” a generative, solution-based approach that encourages faculty to actively address contemporary challenges. The conversation feels particularly urgent in the current political climate, as universities face unprecedented attacks.

BIOS
Guest
Dr. Joanna Brooks is an award-winning author and editor of ten books on race, religion, gender, social movements, and American culture. She has appeared in global media outlets including the BBC, NPR, The Daily Show, CNN, MSNBC, and The Washington Post. In her role as Associate Vice President for Faculty Advancement and Student Success at San Diego State University, she leads faculty development and student academic support efforts. She holds a PhD in English from the University of California, Los Angeles. Brooks blogs about faculty research and higher education at Emergent Humanities https://emergenthumanities.substack.com/

Hosts
Dr. D.J. Hopkins (he/him) is a professor at San Diego State University where he serves as a Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Director of the Center for the Study of Media and Performance. His current research includes Shakespeare, immersive theatre, virtual reality, and AI literacy. His latest monograph is available from Cambridge: https://go.shr.lc/4gKxC0w

Dr. Pamella Lach (she/her) is the Digital Humanities Librarian at San Diego State University and Director of the SDSU Library’s Digital Humanities Center, a values-oriented space designed to blur and disrupt disciplinary boundaries.She is co-director of SDSU’s Digital Humanities Initiative. https://library.sdsu.edu/dh and https://dh.sdsu.edu/

FFL 6.1: Joanna Brooks on the value of universities in complex and uncertain times

Faculty Futures Lab is a faculty-led podcast that considers the challenges facing institutions of higher education in complex and uncertain times. All guests speak from their own expertise and experience. Produced by the San Diego State University Center for Teaching and Learning.

FFL 6.1: Joanna Brooks on the value of universities in complex and uncertain times

Faculty Futures Lab

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