Innovative Teaching Takes Center Stage at Mercy’s Fall 2024 Faculty Seminar Day
From left to right: Juli S. Charkes, Ed.D., M.S., director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), keynote speaker C. Edward Watson, Ph.D., vice president for digital innovation at the American Association of Colleges and Universities, and Camille Shelley, chief information officer at Mercy University.
With a commitment to educational excellence, Mercy University faculty gathered on October 16 for a day of collaboration and knowledge-sharing at the Fall 2024 Faculty Seminar Day. The biannual event achieved record-breaking attendance, with 335 faculty members participating both in-person and online, reflecting the University’s dedication to innovative teaching, learning and scholarship.
The day opened with a welcome from Juli S. Charkes, Ed.D., M.S., director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), followed by remarks from Amanda Gunning, Ph.D., M.A., faculty senate president, chair of the Department of Secondary Education and professor of secondary science education; and an introduction by Kristin C. Greenwood, D.P.T., Ed.D., M.S., PT, FNAP, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs.
The keynote address was delivered by C. Edward Watson, Ph.D., vice president for digital innovation at the American Association of Colleges and Universities. In his talk, “Preparing Students for Life Beyond College: Embracing AI as Essential Learning,” Dr. Watson explored the essential role of AI in preparing students for their future careers, focusing on the integration of AI-driven teaching strategies, assessments and outcomes into the curriculum.
The breakout sessions, led by Mercy’s esteemed faculty, offered practical, cutting-edge strategies to improve teaching and learning. Topics included reframing assessment methods in response to AI advancements; the GRAD-PRO grant’s role in supporting graduate students transition to professional careers through mentorship and development; the benefits of project-based learning for problem-solving and inter-professional collaboration; as well as how movement-based activities can increase student engagement in the classroom.
“The overwhelming turnout for this year’s Faculty Seminar Day reflects the growing commitment among Mercy University faculty to support one another and advance our mission of fostering student success,” said Dr. Charkes.
The seminar was organized by CTL in partnership with the Office of the Provost, the deans of each school, faculty and members of the Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee.
The day concluded with school-specific meetings led by each dean, where faculty continued their discussions in smaller, focused groups. This year’s diverse lineup provided faculty with fresh perspectives and actionable ideas to enhance teaching practices and drive ongoing improvement in Mercy’s academics. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, the Fall 2024 Faculty Seminar Day reaffirmed Mercy’s commitment to academic excellence and its mission to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world.
Learn more about Mercy’s Center for Teaching and Learning here.
