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Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement Office of the Provost

WSU’s First Transformational Change Initiative Grants to Support Four Projects

Daniel Rieck

Washington State University faculty have been awarded the university’s inaugural Transformational Change Initiative (TCI) grants for advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) to advance teaching and learning systemwide. “The four funded projects show a remarkable depth and breadth of creativity in terms of IDEA initiatives,” said Erika Offerdahl, director of the Transformational Change Initiative. “We are pleased the grants will support innovative projects that can be in place for students as early as fall semester.”

PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University faculty have been awarded the university’s inaugural Transformational Change Initiative (TCI) grants for advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) to advance teaching and learning systemwide

“The four funded projects show a remarkable depth and breadth of creativity in terms of IDEA initiatives,” said Erika Offerdahl, director of the Transformational Change Initiative. “Proposals were reviewed by a selection committee consisting of faculty from different units and campuses within the WSU system. We are pleased the grants will support innovative projects that can be in place for students as early as fall semester.” » More …

Smith Teaching & Learning Grants Awards for 2022

makhani
Retired WSU President Samuel H. Smith.

Five Washington State University faculty proposals for Smith Teaching and Learning Grant awards have been approved for funding, said William B. Davis, interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement. “The five projects funded by Smith grants will literally impact the student success and academic progress of hundreds of WSU students, and we are impressed by the innovative ideas advanced by all of the applicants. We will look forward to seeing the progress on, and the results from, these projects, with final reports due in August 2023.”

PULLMAN, Wash.—Five Washington State University faculty proposals for Smith Teaching and Learning Grant awards have been approved for funding, said William B. Davis, interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement.

Projects this year were sought that address WSU’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA), and focus on specific areas through innovative practices that improve student learning. » More …

WSU DAESA celebrates faculty, staff, student achievements for 2021-22

Daniel Rieck
An award certificate holder showing the word 'excellence.'

The Washington State University Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) hosted a spring event where numerous, diverse awards were presented to faculty, staff, and students for their outstanding accomplishments throughout the 2021-22 academic year. “The efforts made by dedicated, engaged team members and individuals impact the student success of every student at our university, and it’s an honor for DAESA to recognize many of those who made exceptional contributions,” said William B. Davis, interim vice provost.

PULLMAN, Wash.—The Washington State University Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) hosted a spring event where numerous, diverse awards were presented to faculty, staff, and students for their outstanding accomplishments throughout the 2021-22 academic year.

“The efforts made by dedicated, engaged team members and individuals impact the student success of every student at our university, and it’s an honor for DAESA to recognize many of those who made exceptional contributions,” said William B. Davis, interim vice provost.

The awards were presented by DAESA and its units that include the University Common Requirements (UCORE) program, the Academic Success and Career Center (ASCC), the Transfer Center for Policy and Resources, the Office of Academic Engagement (OAE), First-year Programs, the Distinguished Scholarships Program, the Writing Program, and the Office of Undergraduate Research. » More …

New WSU TCI Grants Boost Faculty IDEA Engagement

Daniel Rieck
Washington State University Logo: W, S, U, letters create a cougar head.

WSU’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) is taking another step forward with the announcement of new Transformational Change Initiative (TCI) grants now available to faculty. “Applications are open through April 4 for these latest innovative awards from the Provost’s Office,” said Bill Davis, interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement. “We’re enthusiastic about the TCI IDEA grants because they are available to a wide range of instructors across the WSU system, the projects will focus on innovation in teaching and learning, and many will be underway as early as this summer.”

PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) is taking another step forward with the announcement of new Transformational Change Initiative (TCI) grants now available to faculty.

“Applications are open through April 4 for these latest innovative awards from the Provost’s Office,” said Bill Davis, interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement.

“We’re enthusiastic about the TCI IDEA grants because they are available to a wide range of instructors across the WSU system, the projects will focus on innovation in teaching and learning, and many will be underway as early as this summer.” » More …

Applications Due March 10 for Richard G. Law Excellence Award for Undergraduate Teaching at WSU

Daniel Rieck

WSU announces that applications for the next Richard G. Law Excellence Award for Undergraduate Teaching will be accepted through Thurs., March 10, 2022. Following reviews by the Law Award Committee, the recipient will be announced mid- April at the annual awards event for the Division of Academic Excellence and Student Achievement (DAESA). “The Law Award recognizes exceptional educators for their efforts to provide top learning experiences for WSU students,” said Clif Stratton, UCORE director. Recipients of the Law Award are described as educators who inspire curiosity into, and understanding of, an area of study.

Pullman, Wash.—Washington State University announces that applications for the next Richard G. Law Excellence Award for Undergraduate Teaching will be accepted through Thurs., March 10, 2022.

Detailed information about the award and the online application process is available on the Law Award webpage. Following reviews by the Law Award Committee, the recipient will be announced mid- April at the annual awards event for the Division of Academic Excellence and Student Achievement (DAESA).

Presented since 2013, the Law Award recognizes outstanding teaching by faculty on all campuses who teach courses in the University Common Requirements (UCORE) general education curriculum.

Ten faculty members have so far received the Law Award, said Karen Weathermon, member of the award selection committee. UCORE is part of the DAESA, in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President and Pullman Chancellor. » More …

WSU Accepting Smith Teaching and Learning Grant Proposals through March 14

Daniel Rieck
Retired WSU President Samuel H. Smith.

Washington State University faculty with innovative ideas to enhance teaching and learning are encouraged to apply by March 14, 2022 for a Smith Teaching and Learning Grant of up to $5,000, announced William B. Davis, interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement. “Innovative faculty have benefitted from Smith grant awards for many years and have created a number of projects to advance education and pedagogies that ultimately benefit our students and their success,” said Davis.

PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University faculty with innovative ideas to enhance teaching and learning are encouraged to apply by March 14, 2022 for a Smith Teaching and Learning Grant of up to $5,000, announced William B. Davis, interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement.

Proposals are sought that address one of the following three areas through innovative practices that improve student learning and directly address issues related to “Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA)”:

  1. Proposals that design, develop, test, and disseminate pedagogies that close identified equity gaps in student performance (e.g., reduce differences in the C-/D/F rates for first-generation and continuing-generation students in a given course).
  2. Proposals that translate what employers want into what faculty do by using new forms of scalable, equal access, experiential opportunities to develop core competencies/transferable skills (e.g., critical and creative thinking, effective communication, collaboration, etc.).
  3. Proposals utilizing collaborative pedagogical strategies to eliminate documented differences in student achievement of course-level learning outcomes (instead of section-level outcomes) across multiple sections of the same course, potentially across multiple campuses.

“Innovative faculty have benefitted from Smith grant awards for many years and have created a number of projects to advance education and pedagogies that ultimately benefit our students and their success,” said Davis. » More …

WSU Names Terese King, Michael Highfill to New Provostial Administrative Posts

Daniel Rieck
Interim assistant vice provosts Michael Highfill and Terese King are shown on the left and right, respectively.

The Washington State University Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President has filled two new interim vice provost positions with experienced program directors and alumni Terese King and Michael Highfill. “These appointments support the evolving role and responsibilities of DAESA at the university,” said William B. Davis, DAESA interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement. “We appreciate the vision and leadership they will bring to their new roles and look forward to the many valuable contributions they will make.”

PULLMAN, Wash.—The Washington State University Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President has filled two new interim vice provost positions with experienced program directors and alumni Terese King and Michael Highfill.

“These appointments support the evolving role and responsibilities of the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) at the university,” said William B. Davis, DAESA interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement. “The new roles also recognize the incredible contributions these two have made to WSU undergraduate education over the course of their careers.

» More …

William Davis Named Interim Vice Provost for DAESA

Daniel Rieck
Bill Davis, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Engagement and Student Achievement.

William (Bill) Davis has been appointed interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement and will begin a one-year term on July 1. Davis will succeed Mary Wack, who has served as vice provost since 2007. She is retiring, but will stay on through August as Davis transitions into his new role. “We are fortunate to have such a strong leader like Bill Davis to serve in this role, one that is critical to our educational mission at WSU,” provost Elizabeth Chilton said.

William (Bill) Davis has been appointed interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement and will begin a one-year term on July 1.

Davis will succeed Mary Wack, who has served as vice provost since 2007. She is retiring, but will stay on through August as Davis transitions into his new role.

“We are fortunate to have such a strong leader like Bill Davis to serve in this role, one that is critical to our educational mission at WSU,” provost Elizabeth Chilton said. “We will certainly miss Mary’s expertise and vision. We are fortunate that the division is transitioning into good hands, and we are excited to welcome Bill to the provost’s office.”

Davis has served as the associate dean for undergraduate education in the College of Veterinary Medicine since 2012. He earned his Ph.D. at Northwestern University, and has earned numerous awards for his teaching, faculty service, and academic advising since joining the WSU faculty in 2001.

» More …