April 2018

Dear colleagues, Spring is here (in a sense—I hope it is warmer on the day you receive this than on the day it was written)! As we head into the final weeks of the semester, I wanted to take a moment to wish you well and thank you for all you do for Marquette. The end of the year can be trying, but it is also the time we celebrate the successes of our students and are reminded of the reasons why we devote ourselves to this work.

 

In this sixth edition of the POST, we share information on a new NEH grant to create a faculty institute as part of the Core Curriculum implementation, the Marquette Forum topic for next academic year, as well as an update on the Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiative.

We also highlight several other important initiatives that will propel the university forward. We have a lot to be proud of right now at Marquette, and I’m in awe of what we have accomplished together this past year.

I hope you continue to find these “short takes” helpful and informative. Please be in touch if there is anything else you'd like to see in this newsletter.

Thank you,

-Dan Myers, Provost

Marquette Core Curriculum

With the support of a National Endowment for the Humanities Connections Planning Grant, the Core Curriculum Implementation Committee is creating a Faculty Institute to support efforts to revise and develop courses. Additional faculty development funds are available for departments and individual faculty who are revising courses and assignments for the new curriculum. Details on the institute and fund availability will be shared with department chairs and on the Core Revision website. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Sarah Feldner, director of the Marquette Core Curriculum.

Marquette Forum: “Democracy in Troubled Times”

Building on the success of the past two years, the Marquette Forum will engage in a year-long series of conversations in academic year 2018-19 that focus on the theme of “Democracy in Troubled Times.” Across the globe, the very idea of democracy is being challenged, as we witness what is being called a “backlash to liberal democracy” on a range of economic, military and social issues. Key questions for the forum will include: What is the role of the university in a democratic society? How does Marquette develop and deepen partnerships across Greater Milwaukee to promote difficult dialogues on politically charged issues?  If you are interested in participating or developing events related to the forum, please contact John Su, vice provost for academic affairs.

Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies

The Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies has announced a request for proposals for the CGSS Women and Girls of Color Research Initiative Grant. CGSS requests proposals from Marquette faculty and faculty-led teams in conjunction with staff, students and local community members that examine issues and concerns facing women and girls of color in the United States, and in particular, the Midwest. Applications are due May 7, 2018. More information is available online.

Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Initiative

The HSI Steering Committee continues to evaluate goals, strategies and progress toward further diversifying the campus and enhancing the campus experience for all students. Faculty engagement is critical to this effort; so, if you are interested in taking a more in-depth look at the HSI initiative, getting questions answered and providing feedback, please reach out to Jacki Black, associate director for Hispanic initiatives, who would be happy to attend a standing department meeting, as well as respond to individual queries.

Digital “badges”

Over the past year, Marquette faculty have developed a policy for approving “digital badges,” which was approved by University Academic Senate and will go into effect fall semester 2018. Badges are electronic images that provide verified recognition of skills and competencies not explicitly identified on transcripts. They provide the opportunity for Marquette to highlight transformative learning experiences that combine curricular and co-curricular elements. Students who acquire badges can post them on their personal websites, social media and digital portfolios. Digital badges also provide the metadata associated with the skill or competency, so that potential employers can directly access credible evidence and assessment of accomplishment.

• The current policy identifies three categories of badge: educational enhancement, stackable (badges that mark increasing levels of proficiency) and professional development. They can be designed for undergraduates, graduate and professional students, as well as nontraditional learners, and the Center for Teaching and Learning will provide assistance to faculty and staff interested in developing them.
• National leaders in badges/digital credentialing include Georgetown, Harvey Mudd College, Purdue, Notre Dame and the University of Michigan.
• If you are interested in learning more and/or exploring whether to develop a digital badge, please contact John Su, vice provost for academic affairs.

Enhancing career readiness

A Career Services Council Planning Group has been formed to explore how to enhance career readiness for all students across campus. Building on the fall 2017 Talent Development Task Force, the current initiative will focus on processes from matriculation to graduation to ensure that students are prepared to seek out competitive employment and/or other post-graduation opportunities. An initial group charter has been prepared and is available. Input is being sought from students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers and other stakeholders.

• To coordinate with initiatives surrounding the launch of the Office of Corporate Engagement, the preliminary findings for the Career Services Council Planning Group will be made by June 15, 2018.
• If you have ideas for improving career readiness opportunities on campus, please contact John Su, vice provost for academic affairs.

Office of Research and Innovation

John Blum has recently joined the Office of Research and Innovation as a grant writer/editor.  John comes to Marquette with extensive experience in higher education, nonprofit and corporate sectors. He will be working closely with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to assist faculty with grant writing activities. If you have a project that you would like to discuss, please contact John Blum.