Faculty Foundations is a series of luncheons covering a variety of topics pertinent to managing a faculty career at Asbury University. Specifically, the series of lunches is designed to help new faculty become successful teachers, successful scholars, understand our culture, and learn how to contribute to university life. Select speakers are invited to present and discuss with faculty who are early in their career at AU (full-time pre-tenure and lecturers).
Student Academics at Asbury University
Sheryl Voigts, Registrar
A discussion of what goes into being an effective academic advisor. This will include guidance regarding advising times, schedules, and four year plans. Suggestions will be given as to how to provide assistance so as to assure successful progress towards degree completion. Academic records, FERPA, and other institutional processes will be addressed.
Topic: Who is Asbury University?
Speaker: Dr. Kevin Brown, President of Asbury University
Audience: New Faculty & New Staff
Description: This session seeks to welcome new staff and faculty and acquaint them with four overlapping but independent dimensions of Asbury University: programs, processes, messaging, and culture.
Topic: A Look at Asbury University Academic Excellence and Spiritual Vitality: Faculty Development and Career Milestones
Speakers: Dr. Chuck Gobin, Professor of English, Department Chair & Dr. Sherry Powers, Provost & Chief Academic Officer
Audience: New Faculty
Description: This session will build on our first session by thinking about what it means to be a Christian scholar and teacher at a Christian university, considering the three primary phases of a faculty member’s professional life.
Topic: Wesleyan Heritage: The Legacy of Holy Love
Speaker: Dr. Brian Shelton, Professor of Theology, Department Chair, Wesley Scholar
Audience: New Faculty & New Staff
Description: This session will explore how John Wesley (1703-1791) synthesized the essential truths of Christian belief into a balanced, biblically sound view of God, and His transforming purposes for human life. Within the unity and diversity of this broad Christian heritage, the Wesleyan tradition maintains a “theology of love” rooted in the fundamental tenets of the historic faith.
Topic: Pedagogy as Christian Practice— “To Know the Mysteries”
Speaker: Dr. Chuck Gobin, Professor of English, Department Chair
Audience: New Faculty
Description: This session will explore the teaching practices of Jesus and will consider how they can be used in our own classroom experiences with students
Topic: Wesleyan Heritage: Local and Global Reality
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Esther Jadhav
Audience: New Faculty & New Staff
Description: This session will explore the local and global nature of Wesleyan theology and our commitment to intercultural competence and faithful presence throughout the world.
Topic: Understanding University Structures and Systems
Speakers: President’s Cabinet – President Kevin Brown (President), Dr. Sherry Powers (Provost & Chief Academic Officer), Dr. Mark Troyer (Vice President for Institutional Advancement & Strategic Partnerships), Dr. Sarah Baldwin (Vice President for Student Life, Title IX Coordinator), Mr. Glenn Hamilton (Vice President for Business Affairs & Treasure), Mrs. Jennifer McChord (Vice President for Enrollment & Marketing), Mr. Mark Whitworth (Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics & University Communications)
Audience: New Faculty & New Staff
Description: This session will provide an overview of the work and responsibilities of each Vice President and his/her unit. Participants will learn how the involvement and contributions of each unit are instrumental to the larger institutional operations.
Topic: Wesleyan Heritage: Wesley in the Classroom
Speaker: Dr. Brian Shelton, Professor of Theology, Department Chair, Wesley Scholar
Audience: New Faculty & New Staff
Description: This session will explore how the legacy of John Wesley (1703-1791) offers a valuable contribution to our collegiate teaching and work. This rich theology forms a Christian worldview that is ready to intersect with every academic discipline. The Wesleyan Quadrilateral interprets both the world and matters of faith from scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Various academic disciplines are sampled in service to the participants with the intention of recognizing the integrative power of the Wesleyan heritage.
Topic: Promotion and Tenure
Speaker: Dr. Chuck Gobin, Professor of English, Department Chair & Dr. Sherry Powers, Provost & Chief Academic Officer
Audience: New Faculty
Description: This session will address the perceptions and realities of promotion and tenure at Asbury University. This includes a discussion of the criteria for promotion and tenure, application and review processes, recommendations for preparing a P&T portfolio, and organization of supporting documents. The importance and format of the Annual Report, 3-year assessment, and 5-year portfolio review will be provided.