Belmont to Host First NAC&U Science Summit

From February 10 - 12, 2016, 40 faculty and staff in the STEM and related fields will convene at Belmont University for NAC&U's first ever Science Summit. The experience will afford participants the opportunity to discuss potential grant collaborations while networking with other science faculty at like-minded institutions.

Science and science-related faculty will discuss their current research and explore multi-disciplinary, multi-campus teams that could potentially apply for NSF or other foundation-supported grants. Jim Gentile, past president of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement and former dean for the Natural and Applied Sciences at Hope College, will facilitate the summit.

Participating campuses include Belmont University, John Carroll University, Manhattan College, Nazareth College, Ohio Northern University, Roger Williams University, Samford University, St. Edward's University, University of Evansville, University of New Haven, Valparaiso University, Wagner College, and Widener University.
Students Showcase NAC&U's Integrative Education Approach at Capitol Hill, Press Club, and AAC&U Meeting

Twenty-three students and recent graduates representing 12 NAC&U member institutions traveled to Washington, DC from January 19 - 21, 2016 to share how integrative learning has enhanced their undergraduate education while preparing them for careers and lives as contributing, global citizens.

For our story, including videos of two panels and a link to the photo gallery, click here.

For our members' stories: 
NAC&U panelist and University of Evansville recent graduate Peter May with President Tom Kazee

NAC&U presented the Ernest L. Boyer Award to Cathy Davidson at the opening night of the AAC&U Annual Meeting. After receiving the award, Davidson delivered the Boyer Lecture.

Pictured left to right are Valparaiso University President Mark Heckler, NAC&U President Nancy Hensel, Boyer Award recipient Cathy Davidson, University of Evansville President Tom Kazee, North Central College President Troy Hammond, and Belmont University Provost Thomas Burns.
Civic Engagement Collaborative Meets at University of La Verne

The NAC&U Civic Engagement Collaborative (CEC) is gathering steam as coordinators from Belmont University, Nazareth College, North Central College, Pacific Lutheran University, University of La Verne and Wagner College met at the University of La Verne - in person and via Skype - to discuss next steps for the group. At the 2015 Summer Institute, the newly created CEC announced that it would focus on preK-12 civic engagement projects at participating campuses in an effort to increase the impact on student learning, strengthen each campuses' local effect in their communities, and provide research-sharing and publication opportunities for NAC&U faculty and staff. To date, 12 NAC&U members are participating in the CEC, including those listed above and Drury University, Hamline University, Ohio Northern University, Samford University, The Sage Colleges, and The University of Scranton. Read more.
NAC&U Ambassador Spotlight

NAC&U Ambassadors Patrick Abulencia, associate professor of chemical engineering at Manhattan College, and Megan Pifer, assistant professor of higher education at Widener University, recently hosted an Early-Career Faculty Institute recently at Manhattan College. Read more.

Making Connections
Faculty at Widener are interested in connecting with other education faculty members in NAC&U institutions to discuss challenges and strategies related to student recruitment for Pre-K4, middle years, and secondary education majors. If you are interested in this discussion group, please reach out to Dana Olanoff, Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education, at dolanoff@widener.edu. 
Student Advising: NAC&U Student Exchange and Study Abroad Programs

As the student advising period progresses, keep in mind that NAC&U offers both international and domestic study opportunities.

Twelve campuses across the country offer domestic student exchange programs, including four Signature Experiences -- The Entertainment and Music Business Semester at Belmont University, The Birmingham Civil Rights Semester at Samford University, The Meteorology Semester at Valparaiso University, and The Geography Semester at Valparaiso University. 

Sixteen study abroad programs are available through NAC&U campuses, including Senegal, China and four different locations in Germany.
NAC&U Member News

Nazareth Earns 2015-16 NASPA Grand Silver Medal Excellence Award
The award recognized the College for program excellence for its Partners for Learning and Partners for Serving programs. Nazareth also earned a Gold Award in the category Civic Learning, Democratic Engagement, Service-Learning and Community Service, that led to the College being voted a Grand Silver Medal winner. Partners for Learning (PFL) and Partners for Serving (PFS) are innovative co-curricular service programs housed within Nazareth's Center for Civic Engagement that focus on poverty reduction, education, and community empowerment by building partnerships with schools, education centers, and human service organizations.


Campus News


Appointments
Rankings News
U.S. News & World Report's 2016 Best Online Programs ranked the University of La Verne
as having the 24th best online bachelor's degree programs in the nation and No. 1 in California. 
The University of Scranton's MBA program was ranked No. 72 in the nation and its graduate program in education No. 73. California Lutheran University's online MBA program was tied for #141 in the rankings.

Wagner, Westminster were named among Princeton Review's 200 "Colleges that Pay You Back."

Samford Measures Impact of Flipped Classroom
Last spring, Samford University's Center for Teaching, Learning and Scholarship director Eric Fournier launched a Flipped Classroom Faculty Learning Community to help faculty members incorporate the concept in their teaching. During the summer, four classroom spaces on campus were renovated to accommodate active learning, including flipped classes. Also, a 25-member learning group including faculty members from disciplines across campus met regularly and participated in online seminars to discuss best practices and reading materials as well as consult with CTLS staff. Fournier conducted a survey at the end of the fall semester and found that:

Student and faculty responses to this effort were overwhelmingly positive. Eighty percent of students and all of the faculty members surveyed rated the rooms "better" or " much better" when compared to other classrooms at the university. The movable furniture, interactive technology and overall look of the rooms were cited in many responses. Over 90 percent of student respondents cited a positive impact on their learning (40 percent reported a major impact). Faculty agreed with all seven respondents reporting at least some positive impact on student learning and 54 percent reported a major impact. One faculty respondent summarized the positive impact of this initiative by writing that their class was "completely changed with much more active learning and students engaged with one another. I had them in small groups nearly the whole semester and saw a real difference in the way they engaged in course content."

Congratulations to our colleagues at The Sage Colleges as they celebrate the institution's Centennial anniversary. Pictured is President Susan Scrimshaw (center) accepting a resolution from the New York State Senate.
The New American Colleges & Universities
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