September 1, 2022
This message is sent to faculty at IUPUI, IUPUC, and IU Fort Wayne (excluding the School of Medicine).
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer
Dear Colleagues,
I sincerely hope that your transition back to the fall semester has been an easy one, and I hope that you were able to spend some time this summer recharging. I was able to enjoy a week with three of our children near Gatlinburg, TN, earlier in August, and it was just what I needed to face the myriad tasks associated with the exciting changes to our campus – and the strategic planning process – that lie ahead.
I am incredibly proud of the work of so many faculty and staff that was recognized in May by the National Science Foundation, when IUPUI received a first place award for supporting faculty through the Taking Action: COVID-19 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Challenge. This award recognizes policy changes and initiatives that were undertaken in the last two years to ensure continuous progress toward more diverse, equitable, and inclusive support of faculty.
If you are able, please join us in celebrating this award during the campus showcase of Departmental Enhancement Grant projects associated with Project EPIC, IUPUI’s ADVANCE grant on September 16, 2022, at 9 a.m. in Lilly Auditorium, University Library. Interim Chancellor Klein will provide brief remarks at the start of the showcase followed by a special cake and refreshments at 10 a.m. to honor the efforts of those who contributed to this award.
Last year, I had the privilege of going through the five-year administrative review process, coordinated through the IUPUI Faculty Council (IFC) that is intended to support the continuous growth of campus leaders. First, I want to thank everyone who provided input during this review process. I have very carefully reviewed the feedback and have worked with my team to initiate changes that will hopefully improve our leadership of Academic Affairs going forward. One area that clearly can be improved is communication with faculty regarding initiatives and activities across the academic enterprise.
To this end, we will be partnering with the IFC on a monthly newsletter, my colleagues and I will be hosting regular office hours (schedule listed below) to ensure that we are fully apprised of issues of interest or concern to our faculty, and we will be initiating a series of Academic Affairs Town Halls (described below) intended to create opportunities for all faculty to weigh in on matters that impact the work that we do as faculty.
Thank you for all that you do, and I hope to meet with you during the upcoming academic year.
Kathy E. Johnson, Ph.D.
Executive Vice Cancellor and Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Psychology
Academic Affairs Office Hours and Town Halls
We hope that faculty and staff associated with academic units will plan to join in person to re-establish a forum for idea sharing that has been important to our campus throughout its history.
Monday, September 12, 2022, 10 - 11 a.m., Faculty Crossing, UL 1125M
Academic Affairs Office Hours
Host: Dr. Margie Ferguson, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Lilly Auditorium, UL 0130
Town Hall: September
Topic: Faculty Input on Strategic Plan
Thursday, October 20, 2022, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Faculty Crossing, UL 1125M
Academic Affairs Office Hours
Host: Dr. Kathy Johnson, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer
Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 3 - 4 p.m., Lilly Auditorium, UL 0130
Town Hall: November
Topic: Preparing for Reaffirmation of Accreditation and the Higher Learning Commission Site Visit
Thursday, November 17, 2022, 10 - 11 a.m., Zoom
Academic Affairs Office Hours
Host: Dr. Gina Gibau, Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion
Monday, December 12, 2022, 2 - 3 p.m., Faculty Crossing, UL 1125M
Academic Affairs Office Hours
Host: Dr. Margie Ferguson, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 10 - 11 a.m., Campus Center Theater
Town Hall: January
Topic: Inclusive Teaching
Thursday, March 30, 2023, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Campus Center Theater
Town Hall: March
Topic: Indiana Commission for Higher Education Priorities for Indiana: Implications for IUPUI