Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) Newsletter - Vol. 01, No. 01 - Fall 2010

              Center for Academic Excellence
Fall 2010 Volume 1, Number 1
In This Issue
Update: What’s happening?
Scheduled Offerings
Opportunities for Faculty
Teaching Resources & Tips
Core Integration
Online:
Core Integration Activities
Learn more about Core activities
Core Pathways brochure
Learn more about the Pathways
and view the brochure ( .PDF)
Core Mission
Learn more about the mission of the
Core and requirements
FPLCs Program:
FPLCs @ Fairfield
Learn more about the FPLC program
at Fairfield (established in 2007) 
CAE Newsletter
Since 2003, the Center for Academic Excellence has supported innovation and scholarship in teaching
and learning across Fairfield University. We are eager to support individual, department, program, or
unit work targeting the University’s strategic goals: Core Integration, Living & Learning, the Jesuit
mission, and diversity. The CAE is working intensely with many collaborators across campus on these
efforts. To ensure this work reaches the entire campus, we are launching a newsletter to be issued at
the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. Within this first issue you will find news, information
on CAE offerings and other campus resources, as well as opportunities to engage in various activities
(so mark your calendars!). We look forward to working with you in 2010 – 2011.
“What’s happening?”
CAE Under New Directorship
Dr. Kathy Nantz, Director of Core Integration and Associate Professor of Economics,
will be the Interim Director of the Center of Academic Excellence during the 2010‐
2011 academic year while Dr. Laurence Miners, Co‐Founder of the CAE and
Professor of Economics, is on sabbatical.
Core Pathways Project Takes Root!
The Core Integration Initiative (CII) made great strides in 2009‐2010 with the
launch of the Core Pathways Project. In Spring 2010, the “Meet the Pathways”
event introduced the campus community to the six Pathways and their faculty‐developed
definitions and learning objectives. During this interactive event, faculty
and professional staff alike explored a timeline spanning centuries, interacted with
Core Directors and engaged with active displays, sampled ways to incorporate the
Pathways into daily practice, and took away a brochure of objectives and a printed
coffee mug. View the Pathways brochure to learn why the Pathways were
formulated, and discover their practical learning objectives.  Stay tuned for more
ways to branch out in the coming months.
Faculty Plant Seeds of Integrative Teaching & Learning
In May and June 2010, over 70 faculty participated in the CAE’s first round of
Summer Institutes on Integrative Learning. During the 3‐day sessions, teams
worked intensely brainstorming ways to integrate student learning across the core
and within majors, setting learning objectives, developing reflective tools, and
redesigning syllabi and assignments. Faculty “appreciated the time to reflect” and
“the opportunity to connect with colleagues in other disciplines.” Participants
commented on the “enthusiasm” and “level of faculty engagement,” and said the
“enriching experience” provided “new ideas” and new “possibilities for
collaboration.”  Coming Soon: 2011 Summer Institute call for participation!
4th Year of Fairfield FPLCs Ready for Takeoff
In 2010 – 2011, the CAE will support two Faculty and Professional Learning
Communities (FPLCs): (1) Glocal (Global‐Local) Learning, facilitated by David
McFadden, Professor of History; and (2) Capstone and Reflective Experiences,
facilitated by Roben Torosyan, Associate Director, CAE and Assistant Professor,
GSEAP. Watch for the Call for Participation and a Spring 2011 FPLC Open House.