February 25, 2026 - Further Together

Dear Colleagues,

Wright Leader Academy is the university’s highest‑level leadership development program, a cohort‑based experience designed for faculty and staff who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in their current roles and who may be preparing to step into positions with broader institutional impact in the coming years. The application cycle for the 2026–2027 Wright Leader Academy is now open.

The academy focuses on strengthening participants’ personal leadership approaches, deepening their understanding of the foundations of higher education, and expanding their network of peers and university leaders. Participants engage in eight full‑day sessions throughout the academic year, supported by internal and external facilitators, along with a kickoff in August and a culminating experience in May.

I encourage you to identify promising colleagues in your units and invite them to consider applying. Faculty and staff may also self‑nominate and apply independently, provided they have the support of their supervisor or unit leadership. Applications are due March 6. Full program details are available on the Wright Leader Academy webpage.

Thank you for your continued support in developing strong leadership across our university community.

Raider Productivity Week

The Academic Success Center will host Raider Productivity Week from March 9 to 13, offering a series of events designed to help students, faculty, and staff boost productivity, manage time effectively, and stay organized mid-semester.

Time Management Workshops

• March 10, 3:30–5 p.m., 205 Student Success Center
• March 11, 3:30–5 p.m., 205 Student Success Center

VIP Study Tables (Students will receive a VIP bag with snacks and study supplies)

• March 10–12, 6–8 p.m., Dunbar Library (Register)

Faculty/Staff Productivity Tools Workshop

• March 11, 12:30–1:15 p.m., 205 Student Success Center

Pi Day (Sweets, math tips, tricks, and activities)

• March 13, 1–3:14 p.m., 122 Student Success Center

Midterm Grades Due by March 4

Midterm grade reporting is open for all full-semester spring classes and is required by all undergraduate-level classes, with some exceptions.

Midterm grades are due by noon on Wednesday, March 4. Detailed instructions for posting grades can be found on the Registrar’s grading webpage.

For technical questions about reporting grades (such as reporting from Pilot), contact the CaTS Help Desk at 937-775-4827 or helpdesk@wright.edu.

For additional grading questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 937-775-5200 or wsu-registrar@wright.edu.

Reminders

Apply for a Students First Fund Grant

The Wright State University Foundation is accepting applications for Students First Fund grants. This program supports innovative ideas that advance student success and strengthen the university’s commitment to recruitment, retention, and relationships.

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to submit proposals for projects that will meaningfully impact a large number of Wright State students across the Dayton and Lake Campuses. A total of $75,000 will be awarded to high‑impact initiatives that make a measurable difference in the student experience. The Students First Fund, created in 2019, is designed to support wide‑reaching projects — those that “move the dial” and directly enhance student success.

The application deadline is March 27. Learn more and apply.

Nominations Open for Faculty Awards for 2026

We are accepting nominations for the 2026 Faculty Awards (PDF). The Faculty Awards recognize select faculty members for their excellent work in the areas of teaching, research, community engagement, professional service, and early career achievement. These awards are truly a highlight of the year.

Nomination materials should be submitted to department chairs by March 16. Department chairs should then forward their nominations through the Watermark workflow by March 20.

Learn more about Faculty Awards for 2026 (PDF).

Simple Syllabus Training to Meet State Law Requirements

Beginning in fall 2026, state law will require every credit-bearing course to have a public-facing syllabus posted on Wright State’s website by the first day of the semester. To meet this requirement, the university has adopted Simple Syllabus in Pilot, which automatically creates an accessible, branded syllabus and publishes the required public version. Faculty teaching summer courses are especially encouraged to begin using Simple Syllabus now.

To support this transition, training sessions will be offered. Upcoming sessions are:

• February 27, 10–11 a.m., 005 Dunbar Library (Register)
• March 13, 10–11 a.m., 005 Dunbar Library (Register)

One session will be recorded and made available for later viewing.

Celebration of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities — Student Presentation Registration Open through Friday

Faculty are encouraged to invite their students to participate in the 2026 Celebration of Undergraduate and Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities, which will take place on April 1. This event provides an excellent platform for students to present their research, scholarly projects, and creative work, and to gain valuable experience sharing their accomplishments with the broader university community.

Students interested in presenting should register by February 27. Details and student registration.

When a Student Needs Support

The Student Success Navigator showcases the wide range of resources available to support our students. Whether students are interested in joining a student organization, looking for access to mental health services, playing a sport, or finding a job, all information is available in one central location.

Issuing an Early Alert is an important way to connect students with needed academic or personal support. Faculty can submit Early Alerts through the Slate Student Success Portal, enabling advisors and support staff to intervene early and guide students toward available resources.

I am grateful for your dedication to promoting student success.