Dear Colleagues,
Welcome back! It is my favorite time of the year. Feeling the excitement and energy on campus is contagious, and I am so happy you’re here. A new semester brings new ideas and initiatives that I am excited to share with you.
This semester, we continue our focus on student retention as our top priority. You received information last week with material to utilize during the first week of classes (PDF), and we will share additional best practices throughout the semester, the first being an excellent article on the importance of what office hours can be for students.
I am also excited to announce that each college has been asked to integrate five High Impact Practices (HIPs) within each degree-granting program beginning with the fall 2024 cohort. Including HIPs is a best practice and will have a direct and positive result for our students. Read more about High Impact Practices. Additional information related to HIPs will be posted on our website by the end of September.
While I know this is an exciting time of year, I also know that there are struggles we all face. Newly available to our community is Wright State Cares, an initiative of the Mental Health Task Force that hopes to break down the stigma around mental health and foster an atmosphere of support and openness at Wright State. There is now a link at the bottom of each university webpage to submit a concern for students, faculty, or staff. Additional information about this initiative and Mental Health First Aid Training is included in this newsletter.
It is truly a privilege to serve as your provost. I will continue to do all I can to support you and help to strengthen our community. With President Edwards’ leadership, we will work together to do great things. I am proud to be here and to have a chance to work with every one of you.
Welcome New Faculty
We look forward to working with our new faculty and are excited to introduce them to the campus!
Stephanie Balsom, Instructor and Clinical Lab Science Program Director, College of Science and Mathematics
Sara Bielek, Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Health, Education, and Human Services
Enamul Choudhury, Instructor, College of Liberal Arts
Adam Deardorff, Instructor, Boonshoft School of Medicine
Christine Deeths, Assistant Professor, Boonshoft School of Medicine
Kimberly Farley-Smith, Lecturer, College of Health, Education, and Human Services
Max Gilson, Instructor, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Larrilyn Grant, Assistant Professor, Boonshoft School of Medicine
Nathan Griffith, Clinical Associate Professor, College of Health, Education, and Human Services
Lucyann Kelly, Visiting Assistant Professor, College of Liberal Arts
Dawn McNaughton, Clinical Assistant Professor, Boonshoft School of Medicine
Janose Osedeme, Instructor, Lake Campus
Arnulfo Perez, Visiting Assistant Professor, College of Science and Mathematics
Olvin Rosado, Instructor, College of Health, Education, and Human Services
Cole Russing, Visiting Assistant Professor, College of Liberal Arts
Hugh Salehi, Assistant Professor, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Sunanda Sharma, Instructor, College of Health, Education, and Human Services
Robert Simons, Instructor, College of Science and Mathematics
Anna Squib, Associate Professor, Boonshoft School of Medicine
Sarah Stinson, Clinical Instructor, Lake Campus
Sara Tisherman, Assistant Professor, Boonshoft School of Medicine
Wen Zhang, Assistant Professor, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Faculty Intervention Dates at a Glance
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Due Dates |
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Full Term |
A Term |
B Term |
Notes |
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Participation Rosters* |
Weeks 1-2: |
Week 1: |
Week 8: |
Last day to drop/withdraw and receive 100% tuition refund |
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Progress Reports |
Week 4-5 |
N/A |
N/A |
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Midterm Grades |
Week 6-7: Due by Wednesday, Oct. 18, by 11:59 p.m. |
N/A |
N/A |
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Last day to drop with a W grade |
Friday, Oct. 27 |
Friday, Sept. 22 |
Friday, Nov. 10 |
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*X Term – coincides with the last day for a 100% refund; look up dates
- Participation Rosters — Earlier this week, faculty received an email from Kim Everhart, director of financial aid, with instructions for submitting participation rosters (PDF) for students who have yet to establish participation at least once in your class. This is not only a critical process for Title IV compliance, but it also helps our student success staff to reach out to students who might need assistance. The period for submitting your participation roster will close at midnight of the last day a student can drop and receive a 100% tuition refund.
- Progress Reports and Early Alerts — In Week 4 of the semester, you will receive only one progress report email providing a link to your class roster to issue alerts for your students who are experiencing attendance, performance (grades), technology barriers, and/or other concerns in your course.
You can also issue “anytime alerts” outside of the progress report schedule by logging into Navigate (formerly known as RAPS). Navigate is accessible through WINGS in the right-hand tab under Faculty and Advisor Resources. When you log in, you will see a full roster of your classes and can raise an alert on individual students at any time. Learn more.
- Midterm Grades — And, lastly, faculty will regularly submit midterm grades for all undergraduate courses. Further information is available on the registrar’s faculty resource page.
For additional information, please check out the Student Success faculty resource page for FAQs or feel free to contact me with questions.
HLC Focused Visit Update
The IAC has reviewed the recommendations from our focused visit site visitors, and Wright State University has been returned to full compliance. HLC will visit Wright State in August 2025 for our comprehensive visit. Expect to hear from Bruce Mackh again soon about our upcoming assurance argument and compliance requirements.
Mental Health First Aid Training
The Mental Health Task Force is thrilled to announce an invaluable training opportunity that we believe will greatly benefit our staff, faculty, and all employees—a comprehensive Mental Health First Aid training program. This program aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to provide crucial support to individuals who may be experiencing mental health challenges. Understanding and addressing mental health concerns is more important than ever, and this training is designed to empower us all to make a positive difference.
The next Mental Health First Aid training session will take place on Thursday, September 7. To register, email Dr. Huma Bashir.
QPR — Question, Persuade, Refer Training
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer—three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and to question, persuade, and refer someone to get help. Each year, thousands of people like you say “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor. Register for QPR training on Engage.
Curriculog Training
The Provost’s Office is hosting training sessions on the Curriculog system at 9:00 a.m. on September 13 and 14. Each one-hour virtual training session will focus on submitting the appropriate course or program proposal form in the Curriculog system and reviewing submissions. Register online.
When a Student Needs Support
Wright.edu/help is a great resource for helping students or making referrals. This site contains contact information for emergency or essential departments that can assist your students all in one location.
I hope you all have a wonderful first week! You are appreciated!
Amy Thompson, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
