UAA Faculty Success

If you teach an online course, join the Quality Matters (QM) Improving Your Online Course workshop! The workshop is June 9 and 11 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Zoom. Please register by June 2! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdXXxawlpKgqyQCHnmecOEGsn4zM6zU3nSQSfaDObgdTV0Zg/viewform

This workshop explores the 7th edition of the QM Rubric and provides a framework to improve the quality of online courses. Participants will use the QM Rubric to review one of their existing online courses and develop a course improvement plan. Completing this training satisfies UAA's online teaching training requirement, and it’s also a great way to evaluate the accessibility of your course.

We want to share some highlights from the work our Faculty Services unit did this past year:

- 24 faculty will be tenured and/or promoted effective July 1, 2026!
- In AY25-26, we gave $184,760 in faculty development awards to 100 UNAC faculty
- UAA hired 54 new faculty (13 tenure track and 41 non-tenure track) in AY25-26
- We handled 51 comprehensive faculty evaluation files (4th year, tenure, promotion, and post-tenure)

Our team is looking for an Instructional Designer! The ID will support faculty with course design, the learning management system (LMS), and related instructional technologies. The Faculty Success Instructional Design team is responsible for faculty training and development, support of teaching and learning across modes of delivery, and the effective use of academic technologies and platforms. If you’re excited about working with faculty to help students succeed, we encourage you to apply! Learn more: https://careers.alaska.edu/jobs/instructional-designer-3-anchorage-alaska-united-states-11463630-f45f-4128-a628-56e8d6c8facd

Free lunch at Concert in the Quad today for students, faculty, and staff!

Update: Parking will be free in the West Central Lot. 🎉

We're back for another season! Concerts in the Quad, that is. Add the series to your calendar ▶️ heyor.ca/wTbynM.

Join us for music, food and fun select Tuesdays throughout the summer:

Tuesday, May 19
Tuesday, June 23
Tuesday, July 28

Our last CAFE Oh Wow (COW) award highlight is for Kathleen Nevis, Term Associate Professor of UAA Biological Sciences at Matanuska-Susitna College, for modeling Excellence in Promoting the Success of Faculty: Leadership and Advocacy!

Nevis serves as a critical pillar of the institution, consistently stepping into essential roles, including her long-standing, dedicated service as Chair of the Faculty Forum. In this capacity, she has been a fierce advocate for ensuring faculty voices are integrated into college-level decision-making, fostering a culture of transparency and mutual respect. By consistently volunteering for leadership roles that others might overlook, she has significantly bolstered faculty morale and development. Thank you for all the work you do!

Learn more about her and the COW awards on our website: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/office-of-academic-affairs/faculty-success/events-programs/facultyrecognition.cshtml

Susan Meskis, Associate Professor in the UAA School of Nursing, received our CAFE Oh Wow (COW) award for Excellence in Promoting the Success of Faculty: Building Community!

As the Chair of the UAA University Honors College Academic Board, Meskis distinguished herself as a community builder who fosters an environment of mutual support and professional growth. In her inaugural year as Chair, she has modeled a democratic leadership style characterized by grace and inclusivity, ensuring that every board member feels their voice is valued. Her presence is described as consistently positive and energizing, transforming administrative functions into opportunities for meaningful connection. By providing a welcoming space for both veteran and incoming faculty, she has championed a cohesive and empowered academic community.

Read more about her and the COW awards on our website! https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/office-of-academic-affairs/faculty-success/events-programs/facultyrecognition.cshtml

Congratulations to Marisa Bune, who received the CAFE Oh Wow (COW) award for Excellence in Promoting the Success of Faculty: Mentorship!

As an Undergraduate Program Co-Chair in the UAA School of Nursing, she has moved beyond administrative oversight to become a cornerstone of faculty mentorship, creating a "safe and supportive environment" where colleagues can seek honest counsel. She is renowned for the hours she spends getting to know individual faculty members, recognizing their unique expertise, and leading the formal mentorship program for new faculty to ensure their long-term success.

Read more about her and other COW awardees on our website! https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/office-of-academic-affairs/faculty-success/events-programs/facultyrecognition.cshtml

In case you missed it in our email yesterday (May 11), UAA now requires a syllabus statement on acceptable uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI), so please add that to your Summer course syllabus!

Please see our Syllabus Guide for a checklist of all required elements, some sample AI statements, and more resources:https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/office-of-academic-affairs/faculty-success/teaching/foundations/syllabus.cshtml

The statement should include:
- Whether students may use AI for any assignments, assessments, and/or academic work
- If so, how
- The consequences for not following the course’s AI policy
- This policy is course-specific (i.e., does not apply to other courses they may take)

Professor of Biology Deborah Boege Tobin at Kenai Peninsula College received our CAFE Oh Wow (COW) award this year for Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship: Community Engagement!

Through collaborations with organizations such as the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, NOAA Fisheries, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, her research examines marine mammal behavior and habitat use in places like the Kenai River and Kachemak Bay. Her work integrates community concerns, agency expertise, and student-led field research to generate data that can inform conservation and coastal development decisions.

Learn more about her and other COW awardees on our website! https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/office-of-academic-affairs/faculty-success/events-programs/facultyrecognition.cshtml

Brett Watson, in the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), received our CAFE Oh Wow (COW) award for Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship: Making Research and Creative Scholarship Visible!

This year, Watson led a team of economists from ISER to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of various state tax policies. Watson delivered a presentation of the research to the Alaska State Legislature - translating rigorous data into a format that informs the state’s fiscal future and elevates the University’s reputation as a vital resource for public service. https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/01/30/raising-oil-corporate-taxes-is-least-painful-option-for-reducing-alaska-deficits-iser-concludes/

Learn more about him and other COW awardees on our website! https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/office-of-academic-affairs/faculty-success/events-programs/facultyrecognition.cshtml