02/09/2022
By Julie Nash

Many in our community are struggling to navigate health, family, career and personal well-being as this seemingly never-ending pandemic keeps its hold on us.

About a year ago, faculty were asked to fill out a survey on mental health - both that of their students and their own. Most faculty expressed concerns about student wellness as well as concerns about the impact that worrying about their students' mental health was having on their own mental well-being. This Spring, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) is partnering with offices on campus and the JED Foundation to help faculty support our students, each other, and themselves.

To that end, I'd like to call your attention to two events that we are very much looking forward to and that we think will add real value to you as you navigate these challenging times in the classroom.

Neurodiversity in Higher Education:

Join Elise Wuff, Senior Program Manager for Aspire MGH/MassGeneral Hospital for Children for an interactive discussion of how to understand, recognize, cultivate and benefit from Neurodiversity in higher education. The workshops will take place on Zoom. Participants are strongly encouraged to participate in both workshops. The first workshop identified the aspects of a Neurodivergent student profile and suggested practical strategies to greater neurodiversity inclusion in the classroom. In the second workshop, participants will share and reflect on common areas of success and challenges based on their classroom experiences. The next workshop is Feb. 28, 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Zoom. Register online. 

Equipping And Empowering Faculty In Supporting Student Mental Health:

Wondering how to tackle the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in your classrooms? Join John H. Dunkle, Senior Director of Knowledge and Advising at the Jed Foundation, in a workshop to help faculty understand their roles in supporting student mental health, identify signs of distress; and explore steps faculty can take to support their students’ mental well-being. The workshop will take place on Feb. 24, 3:30 to 5 p.m., University Crossing, UCC-260 (potential to shift to a remote mode depending on circumstances). Register now. 

I really think that both of these events will offer practical insights and opportunities for discussion. We will continue to offer resources on student and faculty well-being throughout the semester. If you have questions or ideas for ways CELT can support faculty teaching, contact CELT@UML.edu.