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Educators' Retreat

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Fall 2024 Educators’ Retreat
Monday, August 19, 2024

• 8 a.m.–12 p.m. | LAB Lobby
  Campus Connections Fair

American Association of University Professors (AAUP) • Career Services • Center for Community Engagement • Center for Student Success Faculty Senate • Moffitt Health Center • Pre-Professional and Exploratory Programs • Speaking Center • Student Accessibility Services • Student Counseling Services • Study Abroad • The Honors College • TRIO–Student Support Services • University Libraries • Writing Center • Center for Pathway Experiences

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• 9–9:50 a.m. | LAB 108
  Empowering Faculty Excellence: The Crucial Support of CFR Officers in Philanthropy

Join the Â鶹´«Ã½ Foundation for a session on the pivotal role of the Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) Officer in facilitating philanthropic funding at Southern Miss. Discover how the CFR officer serves as a strategic liaison between academia and external philanthropic funding sources, and gain insights into the mechanisms by which they support faculty in securing philanthropic grants. Attendees can expect to learn actionable strategies for leveraging CFR partnerships to enhance philanthropic acquisition efforts.

• 9–9:50 a.m. | LAB 102
  University Services: Executive Education and Artificial Intelligence Lab

Stephanie McLendon, Director, Executive Education, Dr. Kelly Lester, Associate Provost for Faculty Success, and Dr. Melanie Leuty, Director, Center for Faculty Development

Join us to learn more about Â鶹´«Ã½'s Executive Education that provides ongoing education, customized training programs, learning events, workshops, and performance solutions that will upskill and re-skill our region's workforce. Audience members will also learn ways to become involved in Executive Education. Also, a new collaboration, with the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) will be discussed. MAIN is the first statewide alliance of higher education in the country focused on artificial intelligence. As part of this MAIN initiative, Â鶹´«Ã½ has been granted access to an advanced AI curriculum and equipment to establish an AI lab. This lab has state-of-the-art equipment designed to support hands-on learning and experimentation with AI technologies that is available for use.

• 9–9:50 a.m. | LAB 103
  Building Your Professional Brands in Higher Education

Dr. Jae-Hwa Shin, Professor, School of Media and Communication

In the realm of higher education, personal branding can often feel forced or artificial, but for serious academic professionals, understanding and cultivating one's professional brand is crucial, as it encompasses your reputation and values. This session will explore the importance of building and maintaining a professional brand, teaching attendees that their reputation is a dynamic entity requiring time, focus, discipline, and strategic effort to cultivate and uphold. Participants will gain insights into how branding can elevate their credibility, differentiate them from peers, expand their influence, and amplify their impact within their academic and professional communities.

• 9–9:50 a.m. | LAB 104
  Â鶹´«Ã½ Faculty: Their Stories and Experiences at Southern Miss

Dr. Michelle McLeese, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Social Science and Global Studies

As part of one of the first Provost Faculty Fellows, I designed and carried out a research project with Â鶹´«Ã½ faculty to ask them about their experiences at Southern Miss. This session will be used to present the findings from that project and to have a discussion of the experiences of those in attendance.

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• 10–10:50 a.m. | LAB 108
  Prohibiting Generative Artificial Intelligence Use in the Classroom: Detection, Ethics, & Communication 

Dr. Nicolle Jordan, Associate Professor,  Alexandra Valint, Associate Professor, Katherine Cochran, Associate Professor, and Hannah Mummert, School of Humanities

In this session, a team of instructors discusses their reasons for and experience of prohibiting generative artificial intelligence in a large, online, asynchronous version of World Literature in the 23-24 academic year. Despite instructors explicitly and repeatedly stating the course AI policy, an exorbitant number of students violated that policy. We explore the methods we devised to detect and discourage students' use of AI and discuss students' limited understanding of AI: what it is, how it works, and its limitations.

• 10–10:50 a.m. | LAB 102
  Engagement with the CARES Team

Thomas Deus, Associate Dean of Students, and Dr. Sirena Cantrell, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students 

Join us to learn about the CARES Team and how we respond to students in distress. We will use examples to discuss the behaviors of concern and share the resources we provide. 

• 10–10:50 a.m. | LAB 103
  From Research to Resources: Leveraging University Libraries for Success

Hali Black, Associate Professor, University Libraries

Explore how University Libraries support academic success through tailored instruction sessions, research consultations, and innovative offerings such as laptop loans, the One Button Studio, and expanded database subscriptions. Collaborate with faculty to shape our collections and online resources, fostering a vibrant scholarly community at Southern Miss. Join us in leveraging these resources and services to empower learning, research, and innovation.

• 10–10:50 a.m. | LAB 104
  Now Boarding: A Session on International Education at Southern Miss  

Dr. Leah McSorley, Director, International Student and Scholar Services, Petra Marlin, Director of International Recruitment and Â鶹´«Ã½,  Kacey Cole, Associate Director, International Â鶹´«Ã½, Jessica Bunales,  Assistant Director, Center for International Education, Office of Study Abroad, and Amy Linden, Director, Center for International Education, Office of Study Abroad

Through the Center for International Education (CIE), Southern Miss offers a range of international education opportunities. During this session, attendees will hear from staff in the three areas that make up the CIE: International Student and Scholar Services, International Â鶹´«Ã½, and Study Abroad. Presenters will provide information on Â鶹´«Ã½'s international student population, cultural competencies for supporting this diverse population, study abroad opportunities currently being offered, and how faculty can propose new programs. 

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• 11–11:50 a.m. | LAB 102
  Introducing the Southern Miss Faculty Ombud  

Dr. Andrew Haley, Associate Professor, Faculty Ombudsperson

In response to a request by the Faculty Senate, the Office of the President has created a new faculty ombud position at Southern Miss. This informational session is an opportunity to both learn about the new position and how it can help resolve problems in the early stages, and to provide input into the development of this new service. Questions about what an ombud does, what an ombud cannot do, and how best to contact the ombud will be addressed.

• 11–11:50 a.m. | LAB 108
  Opportunities and Challenges: Disciplinary and Professional Changes with AI  

Dr. Jae-Hwa Shin, Professor, School of Media and Communication

This session will delve into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its profound impact on various disciplines and professions. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and discuss the numerous opportunities and challenges posed by AI, sharing their views, concerns, and insights in an interactive environment. The session aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of how AI is reshaping research, teaching, service, and other critical aspects of higher education.

• 11–11:50 a.m. | LAB 103
  De-escalation 101: Managing Conflict in the Classroom & Supporting Students in Crisis  

Dr. Ragan Downey, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security, and Dr. Sirena Cantrell, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students 

Given the prevalence of mental health issues among young people today, it imperative that faculty and staff understand that de-escalation is the ultimate form of support for a student in crisis. The audience will learn basic techniques for verbal de-escalation and crisis management.

• 11–11:50 a.m. | LAB 104
  Fundamentals of Sponsored Projects at Â鶹´«Ã½  

Erica Kennedy, Associate Vice President for Research, C. Maurine Pace, Information Specialist, Office of Research Administration

This session will provide a broad overview of sponsored program administration at Â鶹´«Ã½ throughout the lifecycle of a grant award. We will focus on Â鶹´«Ã½ systems, practices, policies, and infrastructure in support of faculty grants and sponsored programs. 

 

Questions? Email CFDFREEMississippi.