CPPSET Newsletter

Well, I don't know about you, but I have been feeling rather unsteady these past few months. The impact of the pandemic on our personal and professional lives has been--and continues to be--staggering. We live in relative isolation in order to be safe, but struggle with the loss of the various interactions that both make and keep us human. Two million lives have been taken across the globe and too many of us are wrestling with grief associated with the death or sickness of family and friends. Meanwhile, Guilford is facing the unprecedented challenge of continuing our teaching and learning during a pandemic while simultaneously being forced to navigate a major institutional crisis. What a whirlwind--and this doesn't even begin to include the many cultural and political happenings that have been on our minds and in our hearts.

So, what does all of this have to do with the start of our new semester? First, I just wanted to recognize what an extraordinary time it is. I mean, really. What a time. Second, that I know I am fortunate to be going through this time with my Guilford colleagues. I appreciate each and every one of you. Third, let me suggest that in this time while it may seem odd or even hollow to be tackling the usual nuts and bolts of launching a new semester, nothing could be further from the truth. The work we do in shaping and facilitating the educational experience of our students and our community is never out of place. More than ever, I believe, the world needs humans able to translate the collective knowledge and wisdom of a transformational educational experience into principled and effective engagement. I hope that amidst all of the world's--and Guilford's--troubles you can keep this front of mind.

Mark

P.S. FYI, all things CPPSET may be found on our Google Site (a link to the site is included on the college's main Faculty & Staff page). I can be reached by phone at x2853 or at my individual email (justadmj@guilford.edu) or via the center's email address (cppset@guilford.edu).

The next submission deadline for CPPSET Educational Development Grant applications is February 15th. Please consult this google form for complete details. Additional submission deadlines for this semester are March 30 and May 31.

Note: The range of grants has expanded and the term "Educational Development Grants" is now being used in place of "Faculty Development Grants".

January 26th

Student Panel Discussion

Facilitator: Jillian Morrison, CPPSET Student Fellow

Please join us to learn from Guilford students how they are experiencing online learning and how the pandemic is impacting their college careers.

Event Flyer: https://tinyurl.com/JanStudentPanel

Join Zoom Meeting: https://guilford.zoom.us/j/93710137768

February 16th

Inclusive Pedagogy

Facilitator: Naadiya Hasan, CPPSET Inclusive Pedagogy Fellow

Join Zoom Meeting: https://guilford.zoom.us/j/94356884585

March 23rd

Topic: TBD

Join Zoom Meeting: https://guilford.zoom.us/j/97148954998

Sadly, the pandemic continues to interrupt our ability to gather together and informally share news and concerns with one another over lunch. This spring semester we are offering two versions of faculty lunch to allow at least some of our prior "normal" to be a part of the week.

First, for those on campus, and when the cafeteria is open, Wednesday lunch is available by signing in at the front desk. A to go option may also be available. We are foregoing the use of "swipes" for the time being so lunch is available only on Wednesday. IRL faculty lunch will be available until near the end of the semester depending on the cafeteria's pandemic operating schedule.

Second, a series of occasional virtual faculty lunches will be held on Wednesday's from 1pm – 2pm during the semester. These unrecorded zoom sessions will be a chance to catch up with each other with some informal presentations from faculty and staff mixed in to keep us informed. Please check the Buzz for dates, topics, and a zoom link as these sessions are still being developed at this time.

We Say Good-bye to Sonalini Sapra

It is with much sadness that we are saying Good-bye to our colleague, friend, and CPPSET Assistant Director, Sonalini Sapra as the semester begins. Sonalini has taken the position of Assistant Director of Community and Economic Engagement at UNCG. Sonalini has made so many substantial contributions to CPPSET and Guilford and we are going to miss her mightily. It is our good luck that she is just moving her professional work down the street a bit and we hope that GC/UNCG collaborations will continue to grow in the time ahead. Please join us in wishing Sonalini only the best in her new position.

2020-2021 CPPSET Faculty Fellows

This year's fellows include, Naadiya Hasan, Sociology/Anthropology (Inclusive Pedagogy Fellow), Holly Peterson, Geology, Sarah Thuesen, History, and Zulfiya Tursunova, Peace and Conflict Studies. Please keep your eyes out for an announcement for a presentation by our fellows on their 2020-2021 projects later this spring. Also, the Call for the 2021-2022 fellowships will go out in early February.

PPS Scholars Program

2020-2021 marks the 13th year of the PPS Scholars Program. This selective program combines theoretical and engaged learning opportunities for students from any major or over the course of one academic year. A funded summer internship rounds out the program requirements where students have worked with organizations across sectors, across the nation, and across the globe.

The PPS Scholars Program is currently guided by CPPSET Director Mark Justad who also serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor in Religious Studies. The 13th class of PPS Scholars includes 13 students.

A major aspect of the scholars program is a collaborative, small group PPS project designed in the fall and engaged and presented on in the spring. Below are the rosters for each of this year's three projects, the title of their undertaking, and a link to each group's internal CPPSET ChangeMaker grant application that offers details of their project.

Environmental Justice Education -- Austin Bailey, Leo Blain, Diyaa Kaufman, Brandon Sisnett, Axel Lemus Tetetla

Culturally Appropriate and Trauma-Informed Mental Health Care for the ECAR Community -- Emma English, Salwa Ahmad, Kalkidan Miller, Milene Henriques, Jennifer Marquez Trejo

Reproductive Equity Initiative -- Marisabel Guzman Cruz, Tinyah Ervin, Juliana Hubbard, Maya Pettway

The work of CPPSET is only possible with the incredible support and active collaboration of our many colleagues, departments, programs, friends, and alums. No group is more important to our work than the Faculty Development and Excellence in Teaching Committee. The FDET Committee is chaired by Michele Malotky and Karen Spira (on leave Spring '21) and includes Zhihong Chen, Mark Justad, Sarah Thuesen, Frank Boyd, Suzanne Bartels, and Jillian Morrison.

The Guilford College CPPSET houses the Principled Problem Solving and the Excellence in Teaching programs. A unique academic center with a engaged teaching and learning focus, CPPSET develops and supports innovative programming for students as they seek to apply the practical liberal arts to real world problems. The Center also partners with Guilford faculty and staff in developing and supporting innovative educational development programs. To find out more, visit our website linked below or email us at cppset@guilford.edu.

Email: cppset@guilford.edu
Website: https://sites.google.com/guilford.edu/cppset/home?authuser=0
Location: 5800 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC, USA
Phone: (336) 316-2853
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cppsatguilfordcollege