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This article shares a strategy for supporting faculty engagement and wellbeing. During the online faculty development sessions at Columbia University's School of Social Work (CSSW), online faculty and staff have the opportunity to give short presentations about a teaching and learning technique they have tried. Over the past five years, this faculty development strategy has engaged the online faculty and staff, and supported their connection and commitment to the school 's online program.
Connecting Faculty Engagement and Workplace Wellbeing
N 2022, THE UNITED STATES Surgeon General released a Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing. The Framework posits that:
When people thrive at work, they are more likely to feel physically and mentally healthy overall, and to contribute positively to their workplace. This creates both a responsibility and unique opportunity for leaders to create workplace environments that support the health and wellbeing of workers (p. 5).
This connects with research by Gallup that found that "when faculty have the materials and equipment they need, feel cared for at work, and feel connected to their leaders and colleagues, they are able to invest discretionary effort that improves the student experience" (Marken, 2021). The Surgeon General's Framework includes five essentials for workplace mental health and wellbeing, which include protection from harm, connection and community, work-life harmony, mattering at work, and opportunity for growth. Faculty development can make a difference in three out of five of these essentials.
Example Faculty Development Strategy for Engagement and Wellbeing: Lightning Presentations
At Columbia University's School of Social Work (CSSW), we have offered an Annual Online Faculty Development Series for the past five years, as part of our overall faculty development (Marshall et al., 2022). Each year's series has five sessions, scheduled throughout the academic year and held online...