I received my author’s copy of a new book on aging today and got in touch with Phil, our assoc. dean of Lienhard School, since we discussed the idea of gathering an interdisciplinary group of colleagues interested in aging as a way to explore faculty development in research and scholarship. Also collaborated with Grants Office on a workshop and involved faculty and staff in grants writing. While waiting to hear about my budget request for a proposed faculty leadership institute, I’d like some discussion to be started with an advisory board to gather input and also achieve some results. In planning for the Faculty Institute to be held in May 2011, I’ve proposed to add a panel on research and scholarship and a call for papers/presentations will be issued by CTLT soon. I’m pleased that Pace has successfully maintained doctoral research university (DRU) status in Carnegie classifications. An emphasis on research is imperative for both faculty development and student learning to make the University an outstanding community of scholars.
Test run of blog
I’m glad Drupal will roll out soon as our new CMS since I’ve been waiting to get various websites including my blog fixed. The beginning of the new semester is exciting (despite the heavy snow) since our development team has also come up with a draft template for the Pace Academic Commons (originally I called it Scholars’ Commons). Starting teaching Monday evening put me in direct contact with students in the classroom and online again (I’m teaching a hybrid course on Organizational Theory & Management at the Graduate Center this semester). It’s equally refreshing to attend today’s new faculty lunch meeting organized by CTLT to listen to their initial experiences at Pace including gratification, concerns, and aspirations. I’m sure this will be another productive semester, and I’ll use this blog to share some of the excitements and my own thoughts as we forge ahead with our strategic goals. Stay tuned! (BTW, Chinese New Year is next Thursday and I invite you to enjoy this Chinese New Year song).