This spring brings numerous professional development opportunities for faculty to invest in their research and teaching while building relationships across the College.
This week, the Office of the Dean of the College partnered with the School of Business and the Provost’s Office to kick off the first of four Town Halls on Experiential Learning. These sessions give faculty the opportunity to discuss the state of experiential learning at Wake Forest, the new Prepare-Engage-Reflect model, and future plans underway. The next Town Hall will be on Monday, March 2, at 4 p.m. in Farrell Hall A43.
Earlier this month, the CAT’s first FYS workshop was a great success, sparking conversations among faculty about course design for first-year students and how to align that work with the College’s critical outcomes. The next workshop in the series, geared toward faculty looking to refresh an existing FYS, will be held on March 25.
Looking ahead, the professional development opportunities also include staff with HR’s Leading Effectively Across the Forest program; writing workshops with an editor from The Conversation; and ZSR’s Early Career Faculty workshop series.
Details and registration links for these workshops and others can be found in this edition.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dean’s Office Announcements
SUMMER SESSION 2026 REGISTRATION
Please help spread the word to your students and advisees that registration for Summer Session 2026 opens on Monday, March 16. To ensure a smooth registration process, please keep the following details in mind for your upcoming advising sessions:
- How to Register: Students should register for summer courses through Workday.
- Deadline: Registration will remain available through the “last day to add” for each respective session. See the Summer Session calendar for more details.
- Visiting Students: We are once again welcoming students from other institutions! If you know of friends or family members looking to earn credits at Wake Forest this summer, please encourage them to apply.
- Course Listings: Full details and course schedules are available on the Summer Session website.
ALUMNI HALL RENOVATION PROGRESS
Contractor Rodgers Builders continues to make significant progress on the Alumni Hall Renovation, one of the first milestones of the Near-Term Space Plan. Recent work includes the installation of gypsum board walls and ceilings, roof replacement, and the start of construction of three large skylights that will fill common spaces with natural light. Work will continue into early July in preparation for the Entrepreneurship Program and the departments of Education, Computer Science, and Philosophy to move in. Visit the Alumni Hall Relocation Guide on the College website to follow along with the latest renovation updates.
DR. CHRISTA COLYER TO GIVE 2026 POTEAT LECTURE
Dr. Christa Colyer, James and Courtenay Harton Faculty Fellow for Chemical Industry, Professor of Chemistry, & Worrell House Program Director, has been selected to give the 2026 Hubert McNeill Poteat Lecture. The lecture, “Beyond Measure: Chemical Analysis in a Complex World,” will be held on Thursday, April 2, at 4 p.m. in the ZSR Auditorium. Light refreshments to follow.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: CBOV LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The College Board of Visitors sponsors an annual award to recognize outstanding academic leadership by faculty and staff.
Each year, this award recognizes one faculty member and one staff member who are committed to our institutional vision, which includes a dedication to academic and inclusive excellence, workplace innovation, and educating the whole student. Learn more about the nomination guidelines on the College website.
Nominations for both awards are due to Sandy Kokkonos by Friday, May 29, 2026.
UPCOMING TOWN HALLS: EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
The next two of the four Faculty Town Halls on Experiential Learning will be on Monday, March 2, at 4 p.m., Farrell Hall A43 and Tuesday, March 17, at 4 p.m., Benson 401C.
The Town Halls are hosted by the Office of the Dean of the College, the School of Business, and the Provost Office and will provide faculty the opportunity to discuss the state of experiential learning at Wake Forest, the new Prepare-Engage-Reflect model for faculty, and future plans underway.
COLLEGE FACULTY MEETING
The next College Faculty Meeting will be on Monday, March 16, at 3:30 p.m. with a hybrid format in Broyhill Auditorium and online via the Zoom link that will be sent.
REMINDER: DINE WITH YOUR PROFESSOR PROGRAM NO LONGER RUNNING
The Provost’s Faculty-Student Lunch Program, Dine with Your Professor, has been discontinued. For faculty interested in hosting undergraduate students outside the classroom, please see details regarding the Faculty-Student Engagement Fund.
For Faculty & Staff
FACULTY: REMIND STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR PAGE ACREE SCHOLARSHIP
The purpose of the Page Acree Fund is to provide scholarship 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.
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.
WRITING FOR THE CONVERSATION: UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Learn How Your Research Can Help Inform the Public
If you are interested in learning more about sharing your expertise and research with a wider audience, the Wake Forest news team and the Provost’s Office will host a senior editor from The Conversation to work with you to develop article ideas based on your scholarship.
The Conversation, a non-profit news outlet, gives faculty an opportunity to provide informed perspectives on important and interesting topics in articles that are often republished in major news outlets, including the Washington Post, CNN, and Fast Company. Fifty-two Wake Forest faculty have written articles viewed by more than three million readers.
Maggie Villiger, a senior editor at The Conversation, will be at Wake Forest on Tuesday, March 31, and Wednesday, April 1. Join one of the group workshops or sign up for office hours to brainstorm article ideas on scholarly work from any discipline.
Email media@wfu.edu for a full schedule and sign-up information.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
Join the Human Resources Learning and Development team for Leading Effectively Across the Forest, an in-person leadership development program that promotes personal awareness and fosters critical leadership strategies. Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by a divisional or department leader. Nominations are due by 12 p.m. on Friday, March 6. Visit the Human Resources website for more information about the nomination process and application.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR ANNUAL THRIVE AWARDS
Nominations are now open for the Annual Thrive Dimension Champion Awards. The Thrive Awards honor faculty and staff who exemplify dedication to one of the Eight Dimensions of Wellbeing — social, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, spiritual, environmental, and emotional. These awards recognize excellence demonstrated through programming, teaching, or other collaborative efforts within the Wake Forest community. Please submit your nominations by Monday, March 9, and save the date for our campus-wide Thrive Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 15, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nominate faculty or staff via this Google Form.
WAKE WASHINGTON HOUSING AVAILABLE SUMMER 2026
Please remind your students that Wake Washington will be opening its apartments to any continuously enrolled Wake Forest student — undergraduate, graduate, law, business, etc. — who will be interning on their own in Washington, D.C. this summer. Students may visit the Wake Washington Center website for the dates, rates, and the housing application. Review of applications has begun and will continue on a rolling basis until all 12 beds are filled. Reach out to Jenna Radford, radforjl@wfu.edu, with questions.
ZSR FIRST FIVE: EARLY CAREER FACULTY WORKSHOP SERIES
Are you in your first five years at WFU? Join ZSR Library the upcoming workshop listed below, to connect with colleagues and learn more about how librarians can support your research. Lunch is provided.
- 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.
CALL FOR LIFELONG LEARNING CLASS PROPOSALS
The Lifelong Learning team invites all Wake Forest faculty 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. They are currently accepting proposals for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Summer 2027, and following semesters. All in-person courses are taught at WFU’s historic Brookstown Campus. Visit the Wake Forest website for more information or email lifelonglearning@wfu.edu with questions.
CLASS UPDATES: ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND TESTING
Resources for Student Success
Do you have students struggling with time management, test anxiety, or study skills? If you have students who would like to improve their midterm performance, now is a great time to schedule a peer tutoring session or meet with an academic coach. Academic coaching includes time management support, note-taking, reading strategies, planning, organizational support, and student accountability. Please direct students to the CLASS website to sign up for a peer tutor or academic coaching. CLASS is happy to partner with you to support student success!
Testing Center Updates
CLASS recognizes the growing number of students with accommodations and the challenges this creates for faculty. When in-department options are exhausted, the CLASS Test Center in ZSR is available — though seating is limited. Students must schedule exams through the Student Portal at least 3 business days in advance, and faculty must deliver paper copies to the CLASS office no later than two days prior. For questions, contact testctr@wfu.edu or visit the CLASS website for updated proctoring procedures.
Technology
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.
BLENDING AI AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
We live in a world that is consumed with images, video, processes, reviews, and text that are autogenerated through AI prompts, and we teach in a world where experiential learning can be an effective pedagogy. Check out ITG Jerry Yale’s Tech Tip that will help you consider blending AI tools with experiential learning. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to Jerry or any ITG for all of your technology needs.
CAT Resources
UPCOMING WORKSHOP: 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). Facilitated by Kristi Verbeke & Melissa Maffeo. Register on the CAT website.
Please Note: This session is intended for faculty who are looking to refresh an already-existing FYS.
2026 TEACHER-SCHOLAR FORUM MAY 1
Save the date for the 2026 Teacher-Scholar Forum on Friday, May 1, in Farrell Hall. This 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. Check out the schedule-at-a-glance on the CAT website, and look for an email inviting you to register on March 2.
THE LANGUAGE EXCHANGE: A SHARING SESSION ON ASSESSMENT DESIGN
Following the momentum of CAT’s recent AI discussions, please join faculty from across the World Language programs for a collaborative sharing session on Wednesday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to noon in the ZSR Faculty Commons, Classroom 665. As we wrap up the semester, the CAT invites you to a roundtable discussion to share new assessment designs developed as part of the Spanish Department’s curriculum review and lessons learned from our recent classes.
This is a space to celebrate our collective expertise, exchange innovative ideas, and kickstart a new tradition of cross-language collaboration at Wake Forest. We look forward to seeing the diverse ways our programs are evolving! This session will be facilitated by Daniel Jung, Lauren Miller, and Rebekah Morris. Register on the CAT website.
Research Funded
Dr. Miriam Ashley-Ross, Professor of Biology, received an NSF award for “Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment.”
Dr. Ovidiu Csillik, Assistant Professor of Environment and Sustainability Studies, recieved funding from NASA for “Biomass and Structural Changes in Tropical Forests from GEDI and Airborne Lidar Observations.”
Dr. Mason Garrison, Assistant Professor of Psychology, received funding from NIH/Michigan State University for “Quantifying the Contributions of Mitochondrial DNA to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Conditions of Aging.”
Dr. Amanda Griffith, Professor of Economics and Associate Dean of Academic Planning, co-authored a grant that received $179,620 co-funded with the Hewlett and Spencer Foundations for the study, “Do Local Admissions Guarantees at In-State Publics Reduce Inequities in College-Going for Black and Hispanic Students? Evidence from the California State University System.”
Dr. Gloria Muday, Charles M. Allen Professor of Biology, received funding from the USDA for “Understanding Mechanisms for Maintaining ROS Homeostasis to Protect Plant Reproduction from High Temperature Stress.”
Dr. Miles Silman, Professor of Biology, received funding from the Frederick S. Upton Foundation for “Protecting People and Forests: Science-Based Strategies Against Mercury and Illicit Gold Mining.”
Dr. David Carroll, Professor of Physics, received funding from Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and
Quoherent for “Phase II SBIR: AF 20 qubits Phase II.”
For more faculty funding, visit Inside WFU.
Publications
Chapter Published
Dr. Betsy Chapman, Executive Director of Family Communications, (chapter) “How Institutional Communications Can Influence Parent and Family Behavior” in Building Institutional Systems of Support for the Parents and Families of College Students. Routledge, 2026.
Book Published
Dr. T. H. M. Gellar-Goad, Professor of Classics, Plautus: Epidicus. Bloomsbury Academic, 2025.
Book Published
Dr. Kristina Gupta, Associate Professor of Women’s Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Acing Science: Compulsory Sexuality and Asexual Possibilities. University of Washington Press, 2026.
Book Published
Dr. Dani Parker-Moore, Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Schools, Education, and Society Minor, Let’s Normalize Seeing Humanity First: An Anti-Racist Guide for Working with Parents and Families in Schools. Bloomsbury Academic, 2026.
In the News
DR. BRADY FEATURED IN NEWEST FACULTY EXPERT SERIES
The most recent video in the “On Topic: WFU Faculty Experts” series features Dr. Shannon Brady, Associate Professor of Psychology. Visit the Wake Forest News website to watch the video and learn more about how students’ sense of belonging in college is connected to graduation.
DR. MOORE RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS ART HISTORY FELLOWSHIP
Dr. Nikki Moore, Assistant Professor of Art History, has been awarded the Dedalus Foundation’s 2026 Senior Fellowship for her forthcoming book Experts in the Fields: Art, Architecture, and Aesthetics at the Mexican Origins of the Global Green Revolution, 1924 – 1972.
DR. YU ELECTED FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLE IN CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Dr. Qiaona Yu, Associate Professor of East Asian Languages & Cultures, has been elected Vice President of the Chinese Language Teachers Association (CLTA), USA. Founded in 1962, CLTA is the largest and most influential professional organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to the study of Chinese language, culture, and pedagogy. The association has approximately 800 members and represents Chinese language teachers across all educational settings.
WINSTON-SALEM TEACH FEATURED IN WFDD ARTICLE
WFDD highlights the TEACH Program, a partnership between Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, and Salem College that began in 2022 and co-directed by Dr. Kate Allman and Dr. Alan Brown. After the program’s federal grant was canceled in February 2025, the community showed incredible support; within 30 days, Winston-Salem TEACH received $800,000 from local foundations and philanthropists and another $400,000 a few months later. Read the full article online.
RETIRED FACULTY MEMBER ROBERT “BOB” PLEMMONS PASSED AWAY
Bob Plemmons was the Emeritus Z. Smith Reynolds Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science and served the University for more than 34 years. A Celebration of Life for Bob will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem on Saturday, June 13. An obituary can be found online.
Selected Events
CONVERSATION ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP FEB. 25
President of Berry College and Former WFU Economics Chair Dr. Sandeep Mazumder will return to Wake for a conversation with current Economics Chair Dr. Mark Curtis. The conversation will focus on higher education, leadership, character development, and the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s academic and professional landscapes. The event will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 4 p.m. in Kirby B02.
HANES ART GALLERY TO HOST SOUL SESSIONS: ART AS LIBERATION
On Thursday, Feb. 26, Hanes Art Gallery will host Soul Sessions: Art as Liberation in partnership with the Black Student Alliance and the Intercultural Center. The keynote, “Soular Child: Constructing Your Creative Playground” with multidisciplinary artist Arial Robinson will take place from 7:15 to 8 p.m. in Scales Fine Arts Center, Room 112, followed by activities in Hanes Art Gallery from 8 to 10 p.m.
RSVP and find more information on the Hanes Gallery website.
PHILOSOPHY FORUM: GUEST LECTURER TALKS GUILT AND RESPONSIBILITY
The Department of Philosophy will welcome Dr. Charlie Kurth, a Professor of Philosophy from Clemson University, to present his talk, “Guilt and Responsibility: A Revisionary Picture,” on Thursday, March 5, at 5 p.m. in Tribble Hall B316. Visit the Department of Philosophy website for a detailed abstract and more information about the Speaker Series.
WGS SOUTH SYMPOSIUM COMES TO CAMPUS
The Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is pleased to host the 2026 WGS Annual Symposium, “Feminist Futurities: 50 More Years of Feminist Scholarship and Activism in the South.” For more than 50 years, WGS South has served as a vital gathering space for the exchange of knowledge, tools, and strategies that advance collective feminist visions. The symposium will feature a distinguished lineup of guest speakers, including keynote speaker, Dr. Andrea Baldwin, and plenary speaker, Dr. Menah Pratt. The conference will be held from Thursday, March 19, through Saturday, March 21, 2026. Purchase tickets online.
ASIA PARKER (’18) TO PRESENT “REPATRIATION AND REPRESENTATION: ABORIGINAL POLITICS IN AUSTRALIA”
On Friday, March 20, at 5 p.m. in the Lam Museum, Dr. Asia Parker, an alumna of Wake Forest University (B.A. ’18) and University of Georgia (Ph.D. ’25), will return to campus to give her talk, “Repatriation and Representation: Aboriginal Politics in Australia,” which explores the intersection of museum exhibit curation and dissertation research. The lecture is offered in conjunction with the interdisciplinary exhibition “Return to Sender? Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Repatriation,” developed in collaboration with the Lam Museum.
CENTER FOR LITERACY EDUCATION SPEAKER SERIES AND NETWORKING CONFERENCE
The theme of this year’s Center for Literacy Education conference is “Hold the Phone: Exploring the Intersections of Screen Time, Brain Health, and Learning.” The conference will take place on Monday, March 23, 2026, from 4:30 to 8:00 pm at the Porter Byrum Welcome Center and is free and open to the public. Register on the Center for Literacy Education website. Contact CLE@wfu.edu with questions.
PHILOSOPHY FORUM: UVA PROFESSOR TO PRESENT ON IMPOSTER SYNDROME
The Department of Philosophy will welcome Dr. Rebecca Stangl, a Professor of Philosophy from the University of Virginia, to present her talk, “Imposter Syndrome as Recalcitrant Emotion,” on Thursday, March 26, at 5 p.m. in Tribble Hall B316. Visit the Department of Philosophy website for a detailed abstract and more information about the Speaker Series.
WFU TO HOST INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON LANGUAGES FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
From Thursday, March 26, through Saturday, March 28, 2026, Wake Forest will host the 8th International Symposium on Languages for Specific Purposes (ISLSP) & Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) Business Language Conference. The event will take place in Wake Downtown and bring together scholars who focus on the teaching and research of world languages and cultures as they operate in academic and professional domains. For registration and other information, please visit the Wake Forest website or email ciberislsp26@wfu.edu.
GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW RESEARCH DAY 2026
Research Day 2026 will be held on April 10, 2026, from noon to 5 p.m., at Biotech Place in the Innovation Quarter (Wake Downtown). This event is a special opportunity for our graduate programs to come together as a community to share cutting-edge research and advancements across multiple fields of study.
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March 11, 2026Spring 2026 Academic Calendar: Important dates and deadlines for the Wake Forest College (Undergraduate College) and School of Business undergraduate programs. Please visit the RegistrarÕs Office website at registrar.wfu.edu/calendars/ for the most up-to-date academic calendar information and exam schedules. -
March 11, 2026WFUSB Spring Break (HCS) -
March 11, 2026WFUSB Spring Break (MBA – Online)
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March 11, 2026WFUSB Spring Break (UG, MSA, MSM, MSBA-On Campus, CEV, WEV)
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March 11, 2026 | 9:00amSchool of Business alumni have continued access to career guidance and resources after graduation. Schedule a 45-minute appointment with a career coach for help with resume review, mock interview prep, job search strategies and more. -
March 11, 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 …
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