October seems to come earlier every year, and it’s hard to believe we are already on the downslope of the semester. It has been a busy stretch, but a rewarding one. We had a great CBOV meeting where the College Board of Visitors spent time with students, faculty, and staff and learned about experiential learning and the Scholars Office. Earlier this month, we celebrated the opening of Alumni Hall. If you haven’t had a chance to spend some time there, please do. It is an amazing space that is already enriching our campus community, from its inviting third spaces to its flexible classrooms. Yesterday’s Topical Town Hall on Envisioning Faculty Roles in a Revised Honor System sparked thoughtful discussion, and last week’s Major/Minor Fair was another highlight of the month. I’m grateful to everyone who took part.
In the Dean’s Office Announcement section below, you’ll find information on the Summer Session 2027 course schedule build. If you are interested in teaching during Summer Session, please consult with your department chair. You may notice the Writing Program listed seperately from the English department. I am grateful for the work of both units and for their distinct course offerings for our students.
Also in this edition, you’ll find details on the upcoming New Faculty in the Forest Social on November 4 at 4 p.m; a call for the 2027 Senior Oration nominations; and a call for nominations for the new President’s Awards for Excellence, recognizing faculty and staff who bring Wake Forest’s mission to life. We also celebrate recently published faculty books and articles in The Conversation, along with new videos in the On Topic: Faculty Expert Series featuring Professor of Politics Dr. John Dinan, Professor of Psychology Dr. Wayne Pratt, and Associate Teaching Professor of Psychology Dr. Melissa Maffeo.
Sincerely,
Jackie Krasas
Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dean’s Office Announcements
NEW FACULTY IN THE FOREST SOCIAL ON NOV. 4
Faculty in years 1-3 of their permanent appointments are invited to attend the New Faculty in the Forest Social on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. in Benson 401. Dr. Wayne Pratt will present on the URECA Center. New Faculty should register online.
COLLEGE FACULTY MEETING
The next College Faculty Meeting will be on Monday, Nov.9, at 3:30 p.m. with a hybrid format in Broyhill Auditorium and online via the Zoom link that will be sent prior.
OLEC DEADLINE FOR SUMMER 2027 ONLINE COURSES: FRIDAY, OCT. 30
All instructors planning to offer a new course in an online or blended format in Summer 2027 must submit an initial application by Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.
All instructors who have offered an online or blended course, but have not yet received long-term approval from OLEC must complete the renewal application by Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.
Details regarding the new course approval process; the renewal application process; links to the application forms; and a list of OLEC Approved Courses can be found on the OLEC website.
Please reach out to OLEC chair Jarrod Atchison, , if you have any questions.
SENIOR ORATION NOMINATIONS DUE NOV. 4
Faculty are encouraged to nominate students who are eligible to graduate in May 2027, or who graduated in August or December 2026, to prepare orations for the 2027 Senior Colloquium competition. Nominations are due by Wednesday, Nov. 4 via Google Form, also found on the Senior Colloquium website. The competition will take place Wednesday, Feb. 3.
For Faculty & Staff
FIRST FIVE: ZSR EARLY CAREER FACULTY WORKSHOP SERIES
ZSR Library invites you to First Five, a workshop series for early-career faculty. Workshops are open to faculty at all ranks who are in their first five years at WFU. The next workshop is:
- “Designing Research Assignments with AI in Mind,” held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in ZSR 665
Lunch will be provided. Register and view the full workshop schedule on the ZSR website.
CONSENT CON: A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
Last spring, Wake Forest students participated in the second administration of the Campus Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey, an important tool for measuring progress and informing our campus interpersonal violence prevention efforts.
This fall, survey results will be shared with the campus community during the biennial ConsentCon: A Community Conversation on Wednesday, Nov. 11. RSVP online.
SUBMIT SPRING 2027 COURSE ADOPTIONS BY NOV. 15
So far, 38% of course sections have submitted their adoptions for Spring 2027. The goal is 100% by Nov. 15, as the Bookstore and Follet prepare for the launch of the Deacon Book Bundle.
The annual automatic renewal has already run, carrying forward Spring 2026 course material selections. Faculty should review their adoptions in Discover to confirm everything is accurate for the upcoming semester. This helpful guide walks faculty through accessing Discover through Canvas, submitting or updating selections, and includes instructions for Academic Coordinators.
SAFE ZONE TRAINING UPCOMING DATES
Safe Zone is an interactive, 2-hour educational workshop designed to introduce LGBTQ+ identities, examine prejudice, and build active allyship skills. Participants will gain foundational terminology and practical tools for inclusive communication.
The last session for faculty and staff this semester is available for registration through Workday Learning. After completing the session, participants will receive a digital Safe Zone badge for their email signature and a physical sticker for their door or office space.
Training Date:
CALL FOR LIFELONG LEARNING CLASS PROPOSALS
Wake Forest faculty are invited to submit proposals for courses in the University’s Lifelong Learning Program. Proposals are welcome in any field of study across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, as well as business, law, divinity, and medicine. Faculty who have never taught in this program are especially encouraged to apply. Classes meet at various times, including some evenings, and in-person courses are taught at the Brookstown Campus.
Proposals are now being accepted for Fall 2027, Spring 2028, Summer 2028, and later semesters. To submit a proposal and for more information, visit the Lifelong Learning website.
FACULTY TOWN HALLS ON AI
Join members of the AI Task Force, chaired by Associate Provost for AI Initiatives Dr. Will Fleeson, and the Faculty Senate for an open conversation about artificial intelligence in teaching, learning, and research at Wake Forest. The Task Force will share early thinking on an overall academic strategy and guiding principles, but the main purpose is to listen. Whether you’re eager for more direction, wary of it, or still figuring out where you stand, we want to hear your questions, concerns, and ideas, and how AI is showing up in your work. Your input will help shape the strategy as it develops over the year. These sessions are designed with faculty in mind, and staff are warmly welcome.
- Monday, Nov 2, from 4 – 5 p.m., Tribble A110 (DeTamble)
- Monday, Nov 16, from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Benson 409
- Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 2 – 3 p.m., Carswell 111, Annenberg Forum
Use this Google Form to apply. Contact Mary Muchane with questions.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: NHC SUMMER RESIDENCY
Wake Forest will nominate one faculty member for a month-long Summer Residency at the National Humanities Center from June 7 to July 2, 2027. Institutional nominations are due to the NHC (which will make the final selections of summer residents) in mid-November.
If you would like to be considered for the nomination, please submit the following materials via this Google Form by Monday, Nov. 2, 2026:
- Project description (no more than 1,000 words, jargon-free, and focused on objectives, scholarly significance, and originality)
- Work plan (no more than 500 words, detailing the project’s fit into your career trajectory and a brief, realistic timeline for the residency)
- CV (4 pages max)
These materials will be evaluated by the Humanities Institute Faculty Executive Committee, and the nominee will be chosen in consultation with the offices of the Dean of the College and the Provost.
Reach out to Humanities Institute Director Dr. Jennifer Greiman, , with questions.
JUST WRITE CONTINUES ON FRIDAYS THROUGHOUT FALL SEMESTER
Do you need a change of scenery from your campus and/or home office? Are you looking for a writing community, but not another critique group? Are you looking, in other words, for a space to “just write”?
If so, join us for Just Write throughout the Fall 2026 semester on Fridays, from 2 to 5 p.m.
This fall will include a virtual accountability option. If you cannot attend in person but would like to check in via Zoom, you can register here.
Note: Just Write will only be offered on Zoom this Friday, Oct. 30.
NOMINATIONS OPEN: PRESIDENT’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
Nominations are now open for the new President’s Awards for Excellence, recognizing faculty and staff who bring Wake Forest’s mission to life. Awards honor excellence in Leadership and Mentorship, Collaboration and Teamwork, and Innovation and Impact (individual awards), and Workplace Recognition (division/team award). Nominations are due Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2026; recipients will be honored at Founders Day Convocation on Feb. 18, 2027. Nominate and see criteria on the HR website.
Technology
ITG TECH TIP: CREATE OR EDIT VIDEO IN GOOGLE VIDS
Google Vids is an AI-powered, browser-based video creation and editing application built for the Google Workspace suite. It is available to everyone at Wake Forest in the Google app launcher. Visit the ITG website to read Jo Lowe’s blog post introducing Google Vids.
STRENGTHEN YOUR DIGITAL SECURITY: WHY PASSKEYS ARE YOUR BEST DEFENSE
More than 86 faculty, staff, and student accounts have been compromised in 2026.
Passkeys are the most phishing-resistant form of security for your Google account, and everyone at WFU is encouraged to enable them on trusted devices.
Find instructions on the Information Systems website. Need help? Reach out to The Bridge service desk at , (336) 758-4357, or visit one of our upcoming drop-in support sessions.
Publications
Dr. Robert M. Whaples, Professor of Economics. The Independent Review: The Best of the First 30 Years. Editor. Independent Institute, 2026.
Dr. Jarrod L. Whitaker, Professor and Chair of the Department for the Study of Religions. The Power of Hate Speech in Ancient India: Beasts, Demons, and Scorched-Earth Poetry. Bloomsbury Academic, 2026.
Dr. Tess Wise, Assistant Professor of Politics and International Affairs. White Knuckling: Holding On in America’s Racialized Political Economy. Cambridge University Press, 2026.
Article Published
Assistant Professors of Chemistry, Dr. Cedric Schaak and Dr. Mallory Green recently published an article in The Conversation: “A Molecule’s ‘Handedness’ Can Determine Whether it’s an Effective Drug – 4 Examples of Pharmaceuticals Where Chirality Matters.” Dr. Schaak and Dr. Green provide a clear and fascinating explanation of the importance of chirality, a topic in the news after the 2026 Nobel Prize in chemistry went to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai for their work on how chemistry can favor one chiral version, or “hand,” over the other.
Faculty who publish in The Conversation help people better understand complex issues through research-based insights. Every share, repost, mention or conversation extends the reach of that work. Visit The Conversation for the full list of Wake Forest faculty-authored articles.
In the News
DR. PRATT, DR. DINAN, AND DR. MAFFEO FEATURED IN ON TOPIC: FACULTY EXPERT SERIES
Dr. Wayne Pratt, Professor of Psychology, shares his research on the neuroscience behind food motivation and its implications in the era of GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Dr. Pratt explains that while GLP-1 drugs have become popular in recent years, it is not the only peptide, or signaling molecule, that helps the brain communicate with the gut.
Dr. John Dinan, Department Chair and Professor of Politics and International Affairs, explains what North Carolinians will see on the ballot, the importance of key candidate contests, and the potential ripple effects on the state and federal levels.
Dr. Melissa Maffeo, Associate Teaching Professor of Psychology and Associate Director of the Neuroscience Program, talks paranormal experiences and neuroscience. Referencing her 2025 book, “Science of the Supernatural: Critical Thinking for the Mind and Brain,” Dr. Maffeo explores several key neurological and psychological factors that can explain why we see ghosts.
Visit the Wake Forest News website to learn more about their research.
DR. HAYDEN APPOINTED EDITOR OF THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
Dr. Seth Hayden, Professor of Counseling, has been appointed editor of The Career Development Quarterly, the journal of the National Career Development Association. His three-year term began earlier this month. Read the full announcement online.
Selected Events
WGSS FALL COLLOQUIUM TO DISCUSS FILTHY FEMINISM: ON RACE, MEDIA REPRESENTATION, AND RESISTING BEING CLEAN
All are invited to attend the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Fall Colloquium, featuring Dr. Robin Boylorn. Dr. Robin M. Boylorn is the inaugural Holle Endowed Chair of Communication Arts, the founding Executive Director of the Holle Center for Communication Arts, and Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Communication Studies in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at The University of Alabama.
Her book, Filthy Feminism: On Race, Media Representation, and Resisting Being Clean considers how the ubiquitous digital landscape influences racial representation by locking Black women into predictable and stereotypical roles. Dr. Boylorn argues that Black feminism and a lens of Black-lived experience can offer a more critical and nuanced perspective of representation that complicates notions of respectability, identity, and perception.
The lecture will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. in ZSR Auditorium, followed by a book signing and reception. Visit the WGSS website for more information.
INAUGURATION OF WFU’S 15TH PRESIDENT: DR. PETER RODRIGUEZ
The Wake Forest Board of Trustees invites you to the inauguration of our 15th president, Dr. Peter Rodriguez. On Friday, Oct. 30, the Wake Forest community will gather at 3 p.m. in Wait Chapel for the installation of President Rodriguez. Academic delegates, faculty, students, staff, and alumni from across the Wake Forest community will join together to honor Wake Forest’s vibrant history and exciting future.
Following the ceremony, guests are invited to return to Hearn Plaza for an elevated evening of joy and celebration at 6:30 p.m. Register online.
CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP HOSTS FACULTY STARTUP ACCELERATOR OPEN HOUSE ON NOV. 5
Wake Forest University’s Center for Entrepreneurship is launching the Faculty Startup Accelerator, a new initiative designed to help faculty turn innovative research, ideas, and discoveries into ventures with real-world impact.
Building on the success of Deacon Springboard and Startup Lab, the Faculty Accelerator will provide hands-on support to help faculty explore the commercial potential of their ideas, develop business strategies, navigate intellectual property, and connect with experienced entrepreneurs, alumni, industry leaders, and investors.
The Open House will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 4:30 – 6 p.m. in Alumni Hall. This informal gathering is an opportunity to learn more about the program, meet the people involved, ask questions, and explore how we can help bring your ideas to life. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Register online.
WGSS HOSTS N.C. POET LAUREATE JAKI SHELTON GREEN
On Wednesday, Nov.12, at 4:30 p.m. in the Wellbeing Center, A330, Jaki Shelton Green, North Carolina’s Poet Laureate and internationally respected literary voice, will facilitate a deeply reflective creativity salon centered on the excavation of our human museums: the lived experiences, memories, and inner landscapes that shape who we are and how we create. Green’s work bridges the personal and the communal, inviting participants to explore how creativity and identity emerge from our deepest interior spaces and shared stories.
In a world increasingly influenced by technology, this salon asks: How do we extrapolate the public and private spheres of creativity, intimacy, spirituality, masks, dreams, veils, and spells?
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