2024 Professional Development Days The annual “Professional Development Day” (also known as Faculty...
WKU Faculty Professional Development Activities: From Promotion Strategies to Leadership Development
On March 10, 2025, we were pleased to have Dr. Laura Baecher, Associate Provost for Faculty Development, lead two faculty development workshops. With around 40 faculty members participating in the workshops, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Laura Baecher for her valuable insights and all the faculty members who attend.
Group Photo of the “Crafting a Strong Tenure & Promotion Portfolio – Strategies for Success” Workshop
Dr. Laura Baecher (on the left), Dr. Eric Yang (on the right)
The "Crafting a Strong Tenure & Promotion Portfolio – Strategies for Success" workshop was a fantastic opportunity for faculty to gain practical insights and hands-on strategies for navigating the tenure and promotion (T&P) process. Dr. Laura Baecher offered targeted strategies addressing technical logistics, content development, and process considerations to enhance the quality and impact of faculty portfolios.
She shared helpful tips on the technical side of submitting materials—where to upload them and who to contact for support. She also walked participants through key portfolio components, including three statements, peer teaching observations, and faculty activity reporting. On the process side, she encouraged faculty to think about who their audience is, why it matters, and how to effectively structure their materials.
Professors engaged in discussions and interactive activities.
Throughout the session, faculty explored best practices for crafting compelling narratives, showcasing excellence in teaching, research, and service, and making the most of available resources. Dr. Baecher also highlighted the importance of setting aside dedicated time to refine materials and seeking support from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), tutor teams, and writing centers.
We are truly grateful to Dr. Baecher for sharing her expertise and insights to support faculty development. We also appreciate the engaging and interactive discussions from our wonderful colleagues who participated and contributed their unique ideas.
Click here to read the full PPT file shared by Dr. Laura Baecher
Led by Dr. Laura Baecher, participants formed a circle
The second workshop, "Leadership Foundations - Essential Skills for Department Directors" provided a valuable opportunity for department chairs to come together, engage in discussions, and exchange ideas on various topics. The session sparked dynamic idea exchanges and enthusiastic discussions, continuing right up until the afternoon session was about to begin—so much so that participants even forgot about their lunch break. It was a meaningful moment where department chairs could connect, share diverse perspectives on concerns, actions, and departmental developments, and learn from one another.
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"Leadership Foundations - Essential Skills for Department Directors" workshop
To better support faculty in their teaching development and enhance CTL’s event-hosting experience, we are conducting this survey to explore potential collaborations and services. We sincerely hope you can take a moment (about one minute) to participate in our questionnaire. Your feedback is very important to us! Thank you for your time and support!
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To read our previous newsletters, please visit our official website: https://ctl.wku.edu.cn/en-us/newsletter
Author: Duo (Dolores) Liu
Chief Editor: Yirui (Sandy) Jiang