Center for Faculty Development
WORKSHOPS
Page Content
The Center for Faculty Development (CFDFREEMississippi) and the Office of Online Learning (onlineFREEMississippi) are available for one-on-one consultations through email and virtual meetings.
Workshops & Events by Topic
FYF: Navigating Challenging Conversations with Students: A Panel for New Faculty
Join a panel of experienced faculty as they share practical strategies for responding to difficult student conversations—from academic concerns to personal disclosures. This session will highlight key campus policies, boundaries around faculty roles, and the support resources available to both you and your students. Bring your questions and leave with tools to foster compassionate, clear communication in the classroom and beyond. Designed especially for new faculty, this session encourages proactive, informed engagement with student needs.
Panelists:
Dr. Hugh Broome, Associate Teaching Professor, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Dr. Kendrick Buford, Academic Integrity Director, Associate Teaching Professor, Center for STEM Education
Dr. Ragan Downey, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and
Security
Wednesday, September 24th
3:00- 4:15 pm
Hybrid| IC 319 & Teams
IRB Submissions and Review: Using InfoEd
This presentation, led by USM's Office of Research Integrity (ORI), will be a hands-on guide to USM's IRB software platform: InfoEd. It will be useful to all human subjects researchers, research advisors, and IRB members.
Presenters:
Dr. Don Sacco, Interim Director, Office of Research Integrity
Dr. Lisa Wright, Senior ORI IRB Analyst
Wednesday, September 10th
Noon - 1:00 pm
Hybrid | IC 319  &  Teams
Show Up & Write!
Show Up and Write! is hosted virtually on Teams by the Center for Faculty Development (CFD) weekly and provides a quiet open space for dedicated writing time. This writing group aims to support faculty, staff, and graduate student research by designating time for writing and increasing productivity through peer support and personal accountability. Join us on Teams and plan to focus time on writing an article, book chapter, grant proposal, blog, grading or another project.
Show Up and Write! will meet virtually every Thursday this fall from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 pm beginning August 28th, 2025 and will conclude November 13th. These sessions are come-and-go as needed for your schedule and does not include peer exchange. Faculty, staff and graduate students from all disciplines and ranks are welcome to attend.
If this piques your interest, click the link below to receive a reminder/calendar invite along with the Team's information to join this supportive community.
Eagle SPUR Grant Information Session for Mentors
This information session is for undergraduate research mentors interested in learning more about the Eagle SPUR grant program sponsored by 91¶ÌÊÓƵMiss’s Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research. This session will also cover how faculty mentors can best help their students with their grant applications.
Presenter: Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research Co-director
Friday, September 12, 2025
1 – 1:45 pm
Hybrid | IC 319 & Teams
Tips for Writing Effective Letters of Recommendation for Students
This panel session will present general tips for faculty interested in writing more effective recommendation letters for their undergraduate students applying for nationally competitive awards and graduate programs.  
Presenters:
Mary Beard, Director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards
Dr. Andrew Haley, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Ombud and Associate Professor of History
Dr. Mac Alford, Director of University Forum and Professor of Botany
Sponsor: The Honors College and the Office of Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
12:15-1:30 p.m
Hybrid| IC 319 & Teams
Workshops & Events by Date
August
New Faculty Orientation
August 1-14, 2025
All new faculty are encouraged to attend a series of orientation events scheduled to familiarize them with USM policies and procedures and the USM community. Sessions will also include resources for teaching, research, and service, all to help new faculty find success in their first year at USM.
To view the schedule of events, click here..
Fall First Week
August 11-15, 2025
The Seventh Annual Fall First Week provides time for colleges and schools to meet, engage with campus resources, and learn from one another’s expertise as we prepare for the academic year ahead.
Fall First Week will house all professional development sessions in a half-day Educators’ Retreat on Wednesday, August 13th. The Center for Faculty Development also will host workshops from August 5th to August 8th in our Prepare, Plan, and Engage series that will include sessions focused on strategies, tools, and innovative ideas that will help guide your preparation for your fall courses.
To view the schedule of events, click here.
Show Up & Write!
Show Up and Write! is hosted virtually on Teams by the Center for Faculty Development
(CFD) weekly and provides a quiet open space for dedicated writing time. This writing
group aims to support faculty, staff, and graduate student research by designating
time for writing and increasing productivity through peer support and personal accountability.
Join us on Teams and plan to focus time on writing an article, book chapter, grant
proposal, blog, grading or another project.
Show Up and Write! will meet virtually every Thursday this fall from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 pm beginning August 28th, 2025 and will conclude November 13th. These sessions are come-and-go as needed for your schedule and does not include peer exchange. Faculty, staff and graduate students from all disciplines and ranks are welcome to attend.
If this piques your interest, click the link below to receive a reminder/calendar invite along with the Team's information to join this supportive community.
September
Show Up & Write!
Show Up and Write! is hosted virtually on Teams by the Center for Faculty Development
(CFD) weekly and provides a quiet open space for dedicated writing time. This writing
group aims to support faculty, staff, and graduate student research by designating
time for writing and increasing productivity through peer support and personal accountability.
Join us on Teams and plan to focus time on writing an article, book chapter, grant
proposal, blog, grading or another project.
Show Up and Write! will meet virtually every Thursday this fall from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 pm beginning August 28th, 2025 and will conclude November 13th. These sessions are come-and-go as needed for your schedule and does not include peer exchange. Faculty, staff and graduate students from all disciplines and ranks are welcome to attend.
If this piques your interest, click the link below to receive a reminder/calendar invite along with the Team's information to join this supportive community.
IRB Submissions and Review: Using InfoEd
This presentation, led by USM's Office of Research Integrity (ORI), will be a hands-on guide to USM's IRB software platform: InfoEd. It will be useful to all human subjects researchers, research advisors, and IRB members.
Presenters:
Dr. Don Sacco, Interim Director, Office of Research Integrity
Dr. Lisa Wright, Senior ORI IRB Analyst
Wednesday, September 10th
Noon - 1:00 pm
Hybrid | IC 319  &  Teams
Eagle SPUR Grant Information Session for Mentors
This information session is for undergraduate research mentors interested in learning more about the Eagle SPUR grant program sponsored by 91¶ÌÊÓƵMiss’s Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research. This session will also cover how faculty mentors can best help their students with their grant applications.
Presenter: Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research Co-director
Friday, September 12, 2025
1 – 1:45 pm
Hybrid | IC 319 & Teams
Tips for Writing Effective Letters of Recommendation for Students
This panel session will present general tips for faculty interested in writing more
effective recommendation letters for their undergraduate students applying for nationally
competitive awards and graduate programs.  
Presenters:
Mary Beard, Director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards
Dr. Andrew Haley, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Ombud and Associate Professor of History
Dr. Mac Alford, Director of University Forum and Professor of Botany
Sponsor: The Honors College and the Office of Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards
Tuesday, September 16th
12:15-1:30 p.m
Hybrid IC 319 & Teams
FYF: Navigating Challenging Conversations with Students: A Panel for New Faculty
Join a panel of experienced faculty as they share practical strategies for responding to difficult student conversations—from academic concerns to personal disclosures. This session will highlight key campus policies, boundaries around faculty roles, and the support resources available to both you and your students. Bring your questions and leave with tools to foster compassionate, clear communication in the classroom and beyond. Designed especially for new faculty, this session encourages proactive, informed engagement with student needs.
Panelists:
Dr. Hugh Broome, Associate Teaching Professor, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Dr. Kendrick Buford, Academic Integrity Director, Associate Teaching Professor, Center for STEM Education
Dr. Ragan Downey, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and
Security
Wednesday, September 24th
3:00- 4:15 pm
Hybrid| IC 319 & Teams