Following the icy start of the Spring 2026 semester, I want to take a moment to recognize the resilience and commitment our community has shown. I know how much we value in-person instructional time whether it happens in the classroom, the studio, the lab, on a stage, in the field, or out in the community. This time together feels especially important at the beginning of the semester as students and faculty settle into new courses and get to know each other. I also recognize the challenges of working from home and the considerable effort required to pivot to virtual instruction on short notice. I am sincere in my appreciation of your patience, flexibility, and dedication to your students as we navigate the aftermath of a bout of particularly bad weather.
This edition of the Dean’s Office Digest includes exciting progress on the Alumni Hall Renovation, five faculty book publications spanning disciplines, and information on upcoming First Year Seminar workshops with the CAT and Quality Circles for grant applications hosted by the CULTIVATE program. Please note that some selected events have changed their dates and times due to the weather.
Sincerely,
Jackie Krasas, Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dean’s Office Announcements
ALUMNI HALL RELOCATION PROGRESS
Rodgers Builders continues to make significant progress on the Alumni Hall Renovation. All walls have been framed, and portions of the first of five construction sequences are receiving paint and accent colors. Furniture is now on order. Faculty and staff are currently in their second purge-and-pack period to be ready to vacate their current spaces in late May, with the move into the renovated building planned for the second week in July.
VIRTUAL SENIOR COLLOQUIUM ON FEB. 4
Given the forecast for possible sleet and freezing rain on Wednesday evening, this year’s Senior Colloquium will be moved to an online format on Wednesday, Feb.4 at 5 p.m. Please visit the Senior Orations website to access the webinar link. We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and look forward to celebrating Senior Orations safely.
COLLEGE FACULTY MEETING
The next College Faculty Meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 9, at 3:30 p.m. with a hybrid format in Broyhill Auditorium and online via the Zoom link that will be sent prior.
NEW DATE: TOPICAL TOWN HALL ON ADVISING
The Town Hall on “Envisioning Faculty Roles in Pre-Major Advising” with the Dean’s Office will be on Monday, Feb. 16, from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Green Room, Reynolda Hall.
This town hall will provide faculty the opportunity to come together to discuss a future vision for faculty engagement in mentoring students throughout their first two years at Wake Forest.
A Google Calendar invitation will be sent to all permanent faculty. Please RSVP to the calendar invite by Feb. 11.
For Faculty & Staff
QUALITY CIRCLES FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS
The CULTIVATE program is hosting a series of Quality Circles this spring for faculty in any discipline working on external funding applications. Quality Circles provide faculty with a mock panel experience, broad exposure to grant writing, and direct feedback from successfully funded colleagues. Please complete the online interest form by Friday, Feb. 6.
Contact Erin Henslee, Associate Professor of Engineering, hensleea@wfu.edu, or Mary Muchane, Assistant Provost for Scholarly Development, muchanm@wfu.edu, with questions.
REMINDER: FYS SUBMISSION DEADLINE & WORKSHOPS
The deadline for new First Year Seminar proposals for Fall 2026 is Friday, Feb. 13. Visit the College website for the proposal form and submission guidelines.
The CAT is hosting two upcoming FYS workshops. See below for more details.
WE ARE WAKE FACULTY SUMMIT
The We are Wake team is pleased to host a We Are Wake Faculty Summit on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Benson 410. The summit will engage faculty in shaping the future of the We Are Wake initiative by sharing current progress and gathering input to help ensure the initiative continues to meet the needs of our campus community. The event will include a catered lunch, a brief presentation, and opportunities for discussion and feedback. The summit will be facilitated by Dr. Warrenetta Mann, Assistant Vice President for Health and Wellbeing, and Dr. Matt Clifford, Dean of Students.
Please RSVP online by Monday, Feb. 23.
FACULTY: REMIND STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR PAGE ACREE SCHOLARSHIP
The Page Acree Humanities in the Sciences Scholarship provides support for undergraduate students majoring in the sciences who have demonstrated career objectives in medicine or science-related fields that require human service. Preference for funding will be for students who are currently juniors or seniors. Applications are due by Thursday, Feb. 26.
More information about the scholarship and application requirements are available online.
DEADLINE: ORSP PILOT RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATIONS
After placing it on hold pending anticipated federal funding changes, the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) has decided to offer the Spring internal ORSP pilot funding competition. This semester, the ORSP will consider only Pilot Research Grant (PRG) applications. The deadline is Monday, Feb. 16.
Visit the ORSP website for more information.
ZSR FIRST FIVE: EARLY CAREER FACULTY WORKSHOP SERIES
Are you in your first five years at WFU? Join ZSR Library for one of the upcoming workshops, listed below, to connect with colleagues and learn more about how librarians can support your research. Lunch is provided.
- Conducting Qualitative Research at Wake on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., ZSR 665
- Zotero Power Moves: Smarter Workflows for PDFs, Notes, and Citation, on Wednesday, April 8, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., ZSR 665
Learn more and register online.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: THE BLAISDELL FUND
Wake the Arts Center invites faculty to apply for the Blaisdell Fund, which seeks to promote interdisciplinary academic and scholarly work across Wake Forest’s undergraduate divisions, with a focus on collaboration between arts and non-arts departments. The fund supports course development, course enhancements, creative research, visiting artists, and other forms of scholarship.
Blaisdell Fund proposals have a rolling deadline, with funding decisions made at the discretion of the Dean of the College. For AY26-27 course enhancements, proposals should be submitted by Friday, March 6.
For more information or to submit your proposal, please contact Christina Soriano, sorianct@wfu.edu, or Chris Zaluski, zaluskcm@wfu.edu.
Technology
TECH TIPS FOR IMPROVING DIGITAL AND AI-DRIVEN WORKFLOWS
Combining multiple AI tools together using prompt chaining
If you like to use multiple AI tools but have found that some are better suited for specific tasks, you can combine multiple AI tools together using prompt chaining. Check out ITG Tyler Pruitt’s Tech Tip to boost your AI savvy with a few simple terms and examples of how to combine text and image generators.
Stop Sorting, Start Searching
In the fast-paced environment of our campus, managing a high volume of correspondence can often feel like a full-time job in itself. Check out ITG Jeff Muday’s Tech Tip that will maximize your email efficiency. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to Jeff or any ITG for all of your technology needs.
AI CAFÉ: IN-PERSON SESSION IN FEBRUARY
Join Information Systems on Friday, Feb. 27, at 9 a.m. in the ZSR Library (6th floor, Center for Advancement of Teaching Lounge) for the next AI Café, a casual monthly meetup where faculty and staff explore artificial intelligence together. Whether you’re an AI wiz or just curious to learn, this is a space to share ideas, seek advice, and discover new possibilities across departments.
AI Café meets on the fourth Friday of each month, alternating between Zoom and in-person gatherings. Come as you are. Curiosity is welcome.
Visit the Information Systems website to learn about upcoming AI Café events.
THE 2025 INFORMATION SYSTEMS YEAR IN REVIEW
In a period of extraordinary technological acceleration, particularly in artificial intelligence, Wake Forest continues to pair innovation with purpose. Read the Shared Discoveries: 2025 Information Systems Year in Review to learn how Information Systems is partnering with faculty to expand teaching, learning, and research in a way that ensures technology serves people.
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: AI FEST 2025 RECORDINGS AND RESOURCES
Following December’s AI Fest 2025, Information Systems has curated a suite of on-demand resources for faculty and staff to support ongoing conversations regarding AI, technology, and teaching at Wake Forest. Access the full event playlist on Kaltura with your faculty/staff login credentials.
Additional Resources
- AI Summary Demonstration: A “slide deck” summary of the event was generated using NotebookLM to demonstrate how current AI tools can synthesize complex event information.
- Community Notes: The collaborative AI Fest Google Doc remains available for review and quick resources.
Information Systems welcomes feedback from the entire WFU community— including those who were unable to attend AI Fest ‘25. Please use this anonymous survey to share your thoughts on the recent AI Fest and help guide future programming.
CAT Resources
CAT OFFERS FYS FACULTY WORKSHOPS
Both workshops will be facilitated by Kristi Verbeke & Melissa Maffeo
FYS Design Sprint: Crafting a Strong FYS Proposal
Moving from a disciplinary topic to a First Year Seminar requires more than just repackaging content; it requires intentional alignment with the college’s four critical outcomes. In this workshop, you will analyze common proposal pitfalls, troubleshoot design challenges with colleagues, and structure your course to meet specific review criteria. Participants will leave with a clear, aligned framework and a solid proposal draft ready for submission. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m. in ZSR Classroom 664 (in the Faculty Commons Suite, 6th floor Wilson Wing). Register on the CAT website.
Please Note: This session is intended for faculty who are submitting a FYS proposal for a new class.
Updating Your FYS for Today’s Students
Are you looking to refresh your current FYS? Join the CAT to explore strategies for enhancing discussion and reimagining assignments to align with FYS core competencies in the current landscape (including the impact of AI). You will have time to talk through current challenges and opportunities with colleagues to generate concrete ideas and revisions that strengthen your course and create engaging, relevant learning experiences. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, March 25, at 1 p.m. in ZSR Classroom 665 (in the Faculty Commons Suite, 6th floor Wilson Wing). Register on the CAT website.
Please Note: This session is intended for faculty who are looking to refresh an already-existing FYS.
SAVE THE DATE: 2026 TEACHER-SCHOLAR FORUM
Save the date for the 2026 Teacher-Scholar Forum on Friday, May 1, in Farrell Hall and Sutton Center C407. This annual event will bring together faculty from across our schools to learn together and celebrate the teacher-scholar ideal. Multiple sessions will be offered throughout the day, followed by a reception. Details and registration will be announced in the coming weeks.
Research Funded
Dr. David Carroll, Professor of Physics, received funding from Quoherent for “Critical Path for Quoherent.”
Dr. Lindsay Comstock-Ferguson, Associate Professor of Chemistry, received funding from NIH/The Ohio State University for “Mechanisms and Biological Functions of SPOUT Methyltransferases.”
Dr. Luis Fernandez, Research Associate Professor of Biology, received funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for “Protecting People and Forests: Science-Based Strategies Against Mercury and Illicit Gold Mining.”
Dr. Staci Hepler, Associate Professor of Statistical Sciences, received funding from NIH/WFU Health Sciences for “Spatio Temporal Methods Project.”
Christina Soriano, Vice Provost for the Arts and Interdisciplinary Initiatives and Professor of Dance, received funding from NIH/WFU Health Sciences for “Establishing the Optimal Frequency of Dance Movement for Neurocognitive and Physical Outcomes in People at Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.”
For more faculty funding, visit Inside WFU.
Books Published
Dr. Andrea Gómez Cervantes, Assistant Professor of Sociology. Illegality in the Heartland: Latinidad, Indigeneity, and Immigration Policies during Times of Hate. University of California Press, 2025.
Dr. Jefferson Holdridge, Professor of English. The Bonds of Nest and Urn: Poems. Resource Publications, 2025.
Dr. Adam Kadlac, Teaching Professor of Philosophy. The Magic Kingdom and the Meaning of Life: A Philosopher Visits Disney World. Polity, 2025.
Dr. Randi Saloman, Teaching Professor of English. (Editor) A Room with a View (Critical Edition). Broadview Press, 2025.
Dr. Mark Vail, Worrell Chair and Professor of Politics and International Affairs. The Hobbled State. Agenda Publishing, 2026.
In the News
DR. CLAYTON NAMED 2026 AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS FELLOW
Dr. Tricia Clayton, Associate Professor of Engineering and Associate Chair of the department, was named a 2026 Fellow by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The title of ASCE Fellow is held by just 3 percent of the organization’s members and recognizes Dr. Clayton’s years of service dedicated to shaping civil engineering education at the national level. Read the full announcement on the College website.
DR. CURRY NAMED 2025 TWIN CITY TRACK CLUB VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Dr. J.K. Curry, Professor of Theatre, was named Volunteer of the Year by the Twin City Track Club (TCTC). Dr. Curry’s contributions spanned everything from multiple Hanes Park cleanups to race-day support at Frosty Fifty, Ultimate Runner, Beat the Heat, Hobby Trails, and Salem Lake. Her dedication to the TCTC contributes to the tight-knit community of runners in Winston-Salem. Read more about Dr. Curry’s contributions online.
DR. JAYAWICKREME TO RECIEVE HONORARY DOCTORATE
On March 26, 2026, Dr. Eranda Jayawickreme, Harold W. Tribble Professor of Psychology, will receive an honorary doctorate from Rector Magnificus Wilco Hazeleger of Utrecht University in recognition of his exceptional contributions to science and society.
“I experience the honorary doctorate as recognition not only for my team’s work, but of an approach to scholarship: taking widely accepted ideas seriously enough to test them carefully, refine them and (when necessary) challenge them in the service of better science and better care for the community,” said Dr. Jayawickreme. Read the full announcement online.
DR. LOTSPEICH WINS 2026 BIOSTATISTICS AWARD
Dr. Sarah Lotspeich, Assistant Professor of Statistics, was awarded the 2026 ENAR Dionne Price Early Career PIONEER Award in Biostatistics. This award recognizes early-career professionals who have demonstrated exceptional innovation in mentoring, dedicated service to the biostatistics community, and significant impact in their field.
DR. MASICAMPO TALKS PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
Dr. E.J. Masicampo, Associate Professor of Psychology, was recently featured on the “On Topic: Faculty Experts” series. Watch the video on the Wake Forest News website to learn more about keeping New Year’s resolutions with research-backed tips on setting and achieving goals. Dr. Masicampo’s insights are also featured in The Guardian article, “AI as a Life Coach: Experts Share What Works, What Doesn’t and What to Look Out For.”
Selected Events
HANES ART GALLERY TO HOST TIMELY CONVERSATIONS OPENING RECEPTION
Join the Hanes Art Gallery for the opening reception of Timely Conversations on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. On view from Feb. 5 through March 26, 2026, the exhibition brings together paintings, photographs, and mixed media works by artists whose practices engage critically with the past while addressing urgent issues of the present.
RSVP for the opening reception on the Hanes Gallery website.
WFU THEATRE TO PRESENT OLD TIMES
WFU Theatre will present Old Times, written by Harold Pinter and directed by Dr. Cindy Gendrich, Professor of Theatre. Described by the department as “gripping, elusive, funny, and elemental,” this three-person masterpiece is about jealousy, sex, and the power of memory.
Showtimes are Feb. 11-14 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 14 & 15 at 2:00 p.m. in the Ring Theatre, Scales Fine Arts Center. There will be a Post-Performance Discussion on Friday, Feb. 13, featuring Dr. Katy Lack, Teaching Professor of Biology, and Assistant Director Ziqi Huang (’27), focused on memory and Old Times.
Purchase tickets online.
PRO HUMANITATE THROUGH ART: JORGE AND DARLENE PÉREZ ON COLLECTING, PURPOSE, AND COMMUNITY
Wake Forest is thrilled to welcome Darlene and Jorge Pérez (P ’26) as the Acquavella Distinguished Lecturers in Arts Management on Thursday, Feb.12, at 5 p.m. in Broyhill Auditorium, Farrell Hall. This is an exceptional opportunity for our students and community to be inspired by their perspectives and experiences as admired figures and philanthropists in the dynamic intersection of art, artists, and commerce. RSVP online.
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February 3, 2026
Cleveland, OhioWake Forest University Men's Tennis vs Cleveland Challenger. -
February 3, 2026 | 10:00am
Lam Museum of AnthropologyThis exhibition highlights the global significance of archery, focusing on its traditional uses across cultures. From hunting tools and weapons of war to ceremonial objects and artistic works, the bow and arrow occupy many roles in cultures around the world. The objects on display reveal how materials, environments, and values … -
February 3, 2026 | 10:00am
Lam Museum of AnthropologyThe Lam Museum of Anthropology is excited to showcase a selection of newly acquired objects from the closed Museum of World Cultures at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. This partnership brings back into public view nearly 300 ethnographic, historical, and archaeological pieces from around the world, and adds significant depth to … -
February 3, 2026 | 10:00am
Lam Museum of AnthropologyMany objects in museum collections around the world were taken unethically from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. Though some objects have been returned in order to address colonial histories and honor cultural practices today, neither museums nor indigenous communities are able to repatriate everything–nor do … -
February 3, 2026 | 10:00am
Lam Museum of AnthropologyRug weaving is one of the oldest and most well-known Tibetan arts. This exhibit draws from that ancient tradition to examine a selection of saddle rugs from the Nicholas Salgo Collection. Visitors will learn how the imagery, colors, and forms used in these rugs reflect Tibetan cultural values, religious beliefs, … -
February 3, 2026 | 11:00am
Davis ChapelCommunity Chapel: Faith for a Fractured World Location: Davis Chapel Time: 11:00 a.m. | Complimentary lunch to follow in the Lower Auditorium Each week, the Wake Forest University School of Divinity gathers for Community Chapel, a time of worship, reflection, and shared imagination. This year’s theme—Faith for …
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