Speakers:
Ron Chenail
Provost, Academic Affairs
Diane Lippe
Learning and Education Center, Academic Affairs
Marti Snyder
Professor
and Director of Faculty Professional Development, LEC
Kevin Dvorak
Writing and Communications Center, Office of Academic Affairs
Opening Remarks–Ron Chenail, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice
President for Academic Affairs
Welcome–Diane Lippe, Ed.S., Executive Director, Learning and
Educational Center
Announcements –Marti Snyder, Ph.D., Professor
and Director of Faculty Professional Development, LEC
Plenary: Destination Wellness: Using Faculty Development as a Guide toward Balance and Well-Being, Kevin Dvorak, Ph.D., Professor and Executive Director, Writing and Communication Center, Academic Affairs
Description:
Much has been written about faculty burnout in academia over
the past several years. While some of this burnout has been associated with the
(post-)pandemic workplace (McClure & Fryar, 2022, Musgrave, 2022), more
substantial connections have been made to increases in professional demands and
complex working environments in higher education over the last 10-20 years
(Pope-Ruark, 2022; McClure, 2022, another). Burnout has not only affected
senior and mid-career faculty, but it has also been recognized in early-career
faculty, leaving some to question their long-term career paths (Doležal, 2023).
To combat faculty (and staff) burnout, academia needs to focus more on employee well-being and balance. How do we, then, as concerned professionals and caring colleagues / friends, attempt to reduce the likelihood of burnout for others and ourselves? How do we promote balance and well-being (and maybe even vitality)? This plenary session will provide some answers to these questions by providing participants with an overview of how faculty development opportunities can be used to promote balance and well-being. The session will consist of four parts:
- Recognition of current research on faculty burnout.
- Recognition of current research on faculty well-being.
- Description of how faculty development programs around the country are promoting balance and well-being.
- Discussion on how programs can act locally to promote balance and well-being.
