Academic Affairs defines faculty and staff development as investing in our employees’ wellbeing and life-long learning. This definition represents one of the six values of the division. One such behavior that embodies this value is that “we recognize and support the importance of self-care and work-life integration to promote the wellbeing of faculty and staff.” As April is designated National Stress Awareness Month, the Center for Faculty Innovation is pleased to host the inaugural Faculty Wellness and Wellbeing Week during April 10-14.
In partnership with Colleges, JMU Libraries, and General Education, the CFI has developed several programs designed for faculty to reflect and focus on wellness and wellbeing. This exciting collaborative effort provides full-time faculty, part-time faculty, and academic unit leaders with opportunities to focus on different dimensions of wellness and wellbeing. There will be a variety of experiences ranging from guest speakers to workshops to a faculty-wide event in the Atlantic Union Bank Center.
Monday - April 10, 2023
Faculty Burnout and Workload Workshop
In collaboration with the College of Visual and Performing Arts
A key part of wellness is ensuring that the workload is doable, but how can we know what the limits are? Join Brian Smallwood as he discusses burnout culture and the boundaries surrounding holistic scheduling. The latter half of this session will include a brainstorming workshop with all participants to address ways that faculty can impact the workload within their own departments.
Facilitator: Brian Smallwood
Location: The Union, Warren 256
Time: 9:00 -10:30 AM
Registration required
Celebrating a Moment of Pause
In collaboration with the College of Health and Behavioral Studies
Faculty within the CHBS are encouraged to take time during the Wellness and Wellbeing week to Celebrate a Moment of Pause and reflect on what self-care means to you. To help facilitate this Moment of Pause, refreshments will be provided to each CHBS department.
Location: CHBS, Academic Department Conference Rooms / Godwin Hall, Room TBD
Time: 12 -1 PM
NO Registration
East Campus Nature Walks
In collaboration with College of Integrated Science and Engineering
The arrival of spring signals rejuvenation and growth. To promote faculty and staff wellness at this time of renewal, CISE is sponsoring a series of East Campus nature walks during the week of April 10-14. East Campus was in pasture when first associated with JMU, and over the past three decades, projects led by faculty and students are restoring the landscape to be more ecologically diverse and sustainable.
We invite you to join us on hour-long reflective walks, led by CISE members, to experience our home as it awakens in the new season. Modified walks will also be available upon prior request to provide accessiblity for all. Please contact cfi@jmu.edu with request.
Facilitator: Tom Benzing
Location: King Hall, near the James Madison statue
Time: 12:15 - 1 PM
Registration required
Tuesday - April 11, 2023
Chair Yoga Techniques for Home and Office
In collaboration with the College of Business
Come join colleagues for a quick 20-minute session of chair yoga and learn strategies of rest and relaxation that you will be able to use at your desk. Sessions will begin at 9:00 am, 9:30 am, and 10:00 am.
Each session will also include a zoom option for those unable to attend in person. Refreshments provided.
Facilitator: Ren Oliver
Location: Hartman Hall, Room 2021
Time: 9:00 - 10:30 AM
Registration required
Reflecting on Rest Reception
In collaboration with the College of Arts and Letters
Join colleagues from the CAL for light refreshments while focusing on and reflecting about what it means to rest during this busy season.
Location: Wilson Hall, Galgano Room (3040)
Time: 2 - 4 PM
NO Registration
Wednesday - April 12, 2023
Contemplative Practices for Wellbeing
In collaboration with the College of Education
During this three-part session, participants will explore contemplative practices as tools for well-being. In part 1 (20 minutes), participants will experience Quiet Centering meditation practice. In part two (20 minutes), participants will experience a guided Metta/Loving Kindness Meditation. In part 3 (20 minutes) participants will practice contemplative journaling and compassionate listening with a partner.
You are encouraged to attend all three parts for an integrative experience or individual parts as time allows. Learning exercises can be found in the book Culturally Competent Engagement: A Mindful Approach and free for download on the website.
Each session will also include a zoom option for those unable to attend in person.
Facilitator: Ed Brantmeier
Location: Memorial Hall Room 3150
Time: 9:00 -10:30 AM
Registration required
East Campus Nature Walks
In collaboration with College of Integrated Science and Engineering
The arrival of spring signals rejuvenation and growth. To promote faculty and staff wellness at this time of renewal, CISE is sponsoring a series of East Campus nature walks during the week of April 10-14. East Campus was in pasture when first associated with JMU, and over the past three decades, projects led by faculty and students are restoring the landscape to be more ecologically diverse and sustainable.
We invite you to join us on hour-long reflective walks, led by CISE members, to experience our home as it awakens in the new season. Modified walks will also be available upon prior request to provide accessiblity for all. Please contact cfi@jmu.edu with request.
Facilitator: Amy Goodall
Location: King Hall, near the James Madison statue
Time: 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Registration required
Wellness and Wellbeing Reception
In collaboration with the College of Science and Math
What does wellness and wellbeing look like for faculty in the STEM field? Join CSM colleagues for informal discussions about wellness and wellbeing while enjoying light refreshments.
West Campus
Location: The Union, Taylor Room 405
Time: 1 - 3 PM
East Campus
Location: Festival, Highlands Room
Time: 3 - 5 PM
NO Registration
Thursday - April 13, 2023
The Faculty Lounge
In collaboration with the Office of Faculty Affairs and Curriculum
Join faculty from across the university engage and interact with university partners and the resources they offer. There will be opportunities for faculty to reflect on their wellness and self-care, consider new practices and spend time in community with colleagues from across campus.
Stations will include information from Balanced Dukes, UREC and the Employee Assistance Program, as well as self-care activities including chair yoga, coloring books, mindfulness, a maker’s space, and massage therapy sessions.
Breakfast items will be available in the morning, and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served at noon.
Location: Atlantic Union Bank Center Concourse
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Registration required!
East Campus Nature Walks
In collaboration with College of Integrated Science and Engineering
The arrival of spring signals rejuvenation and growth. To promote faculty and staff wellness at this time of renewal, CISE is sponsoring a series of East Campus nature walks during the week of April 10-14. East Campus was in pasture when first associated with JMU, and over the past three decades, projects led by faculty and students are restoring the landscape to be more ecologically diverse and sustainable.
We invite you to join us on hour-long reflective walks, led by CISE members, to experience our home as it awakens in the new season. Modified walks will also be available upon prior request to provide accessiblity for all. Please contact cfi@jmu.edu with request.
Facilitator: Carole Nash
Location: King Hall, near the James Madison statue
Time: 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Registration required!
Semi-Guided Arboretum Tours
In collaboration with Balanced Dukes
Join members of the Center for Faculty Innovation and Balanced Dukes on a semi-guided tour through the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. Learn about the different flora and fauna present in the arboretum and benefit from contemplative walking in nature (weather permitting).
Location: Depart from the entrance of the Atlantic Union Bank Center
Time: 1:00 - 1:45 PM
Registration required!
Wellness and Wellbeing Week Plenary Speaker: Kevin Gannon
In collaboration with General Education
We are also pleased to announce that JMU Alumni and nationally recognized author, Kevin Gannon will join us on campus for the culminating event for Faculty Wellness and Wellbeing Week. Kevin will talk about his book Radical Hope and how the themes in the book intersect with wellness and wellbeing.
Kevin Gannon serves as the Director of the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE) and Professor of History at Queens University of Charlotte. From 2014-22, he served as Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and Professor of History at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he also taught from 2004-2022. In addition to directing GV’s faculty development operations, he was also a department chair (2011-2014) and co-directed the New Student Seminar program (2005-2011).
His teaching, research, and public work (including writing) centers on critical and inclusive pedagogy; race, history, and justice; and technology and teaching. he writes semi-regularly for The Chronicle of Higher Education, and his essays on higher education have also been published in Vox and other media outlets. His book Radical Hope: A Teaching Manifesto, was published by West Virginia University press in Spring, 2020, as part of their Teaching and Learning in Higher Education series, edited by James M. Lang. In 2016, Kevin appeared in the Oscar-nominated documentary 13th, which was directed by Ava DuVernay.
Location: Highlands Room in the Festival Center
Time: 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Registration required!
Friday, April 14, 2023
East Campus Nature Walks
In collaboration with College of Integrated Science and Engineering
The arrival of spring signals rejuvenation and growth. To promote faculty and staff wellness at this time of renewal, CISE is sponsoring a series of East Campus nature walks during the week of April 10-14. East Campus was in pasture when first associated with JMU, and over the past three decades, projects led by faculty and students are restoring the landscape to be more ecologically diverse and sustainable.
We invite you to join us on hour-long reflective walks, led by CISE members, to experience our home as it awakens in the new season. Modified walks will also be available upon prior request to provide accessiblity for all. Please contact cfi@jmu.edu with request.
Facilitator: Wayne Teel
Location: King Hall, near the James Madison statue
Time: 12 - 1 PM
Registration required
Other Opportunities to Participate in Wellness and Wellbeing Week
Thank a Library Professional
In collaboration with JMU Libraries
Colleagues within JMU Libraries not only support faculty, staff, and students as they engage with Library system, they are also collaborators, co-conspirators, and valued members of the JMU faculty and community. We want to take this opportunity to thank them for the work that they do. We encourage you to complete the survey below leaving a thank you note for our Library Professionals.
Please complete by April 5th at 5:00 pm so that we can deliver these notes during Faculty Wellness and Wellbeing Week.
Thank an Honors Faculty Member
In collaboration with the Honors College
In partnership with the Honors College, we have provided an opportunity for current Honors students to recognize the JMU faculty who teach within the honors program.
A survey has been sent to these students so we ask that you encourage honors students to complete this survey in order to provide the honors faculty with recognition for their efforts.
Recognizing the Graduate Faculty Labor
In collaboration with the Graduate School
Previous literature has indicated that the labor and skills needed to instruct, advise, and mentor graduate students can be different from teaching undergraduate students. During this Faculty Wellness and Wellbeing week, we would like to take the opportunity to recognize this labor of Graduate Faculty.
A letter outlining this labor will be sent to graduate faculty on behalf of the Graduate School as evidence that can be included in the Faculty members portfolio if they wish.
JMU Partners
- College of Arts and Letters
- College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Health and Behavior Studies
- College of Integrated Science and Engineering
- College of Math and Science
- College of Visual and Performing Arts
- Balanced Dukes
- Honors College
- JMU Libraries
- The Graduate School
- University Studies
