Dear Colleagues,
As we begin the week, I am pleased to share that two members of our academic leadership team have been appointed to permanent roles following their service in interim capacities.
Subhashini Ganapathy has been named vice provost for research and innovation, and Laura Luehrmann has been appointed vice provost for undergraduate education. Both have provided exemplary leadership during a period of transition, and their continued service will strengthen our academic mission and support the success of our faculty, staff, and students.
Dr. Ganapathy and Dr. Luehrmann bring deep experience, clear vision, and a strong commitment to Wright State’s future. Their appointments ensure continuity in key areas of academic operations, research growth, and student success.
Please join me in congratulating both of them on these well‑deserved appointments and in supporting their important work in the months ahead.
Inclusive Courseware Deadlines and Textbook Selection Timeline
Faculty, please review the upcoming deadlines for Inclusive Courseware and textbook selections dates and deadlines for your course(s):
Textbook and Inclusive Courseware for the Fall Semester:
- Week 5 of Spring Semester (Monday): Fall and spring schedules available online; faculty may begin making textbook selections for fall.
- Week 9 of Spring Semester (Monday): Fall enrollment begins; faculty textbook selections due.
- July 1: Deadline to opt in or out of Inclusive Courseware for fall (adjusted to the prior workday if July 1 falls on a weekend or holiday).
Textbook and Inclusive Courseware for the Spring Semester:
- Week 5 of Fall Semester (Monday): Faculty may begin making textbook selections for spring.
- Week 9 of Fall Semester (Monday): Spring enrollment begins; faculty textbook selections due.
- November 1: Deadline to opt in or out of Inclusive Courseware for spring (adjusted to the prior workday if November 1 falls on a weekend or holiday).
Textbook and Inclusive Courseware for the Summer Semester:
- Week 1 of Spring Semester (Monday): Summer schedule available online; faculty may begin making textbook selections for summer.
- Week 5 of Spring Semester (Monday): Summer enrollment begins; faculty textbook selections due.
- March 1: Deadline to opt in or out of Inclusive Courseware for summer (adjusted to the prior workday if March 1 falls on a weekend or holiday).
Quick Reference for Faculty Textbook Selection:
- Fall: Begin Week 5 of Spring Semester; due Week 9 of Spring Semester.
- Spring: Begin Week 5 of Fall Semester; due Week 9 of Fall Semester.
- Summer: Begin Week 1 of Spring Semester; due Week 5 of Spring Semester.
Update to Pilot
Pilot now offers the New Content Experience, designed to make creating and managing course materials easier and more intuitive. This update introduces enhanced accessibility features and consolidates frequently used tools into a streamlined interface.
The New Content Experience is optional and may be enabled or disabled at any time. Several instructors have already implemented this feature and provided favorable feedback about its functionality.
For additional information:
- View the introductory video from Wright State Online
- Register and attend a training session on February 20 or March 27 at 10 a.m.
Questions may be directed to the CaTS Help Desk at 937-775-4827 or helpdesk@wright.edu.
Updates to Early Alert Categories in SLATE Student Success Portal
To better streamline the early alert process, the alert categories in the SLATE Student Success Portal have been revised. Learn more about the updates and recommendations for when to submit each type of alert category and type; scroll down to item six in the “Usage Instructions.”
For hands-on Early Alert System training, the Center for Faculty Excellence and Academic Engagement invite you to one of these sessions:
- Tuesday, February 3, 11–11:30 a.m., 205 Student Success Center (in person)
- Wednesday, February 4, 1–1:30 p.m., Microsoft Teams (Access the Meeting)
Academic Engagement Events for Students
The Division of Student Success is offering events throughout the semester to equip students with the academic resources they need to navigate the university successfully. Faculty are encouraged to promote these events to their students. Some events require registration, but many do not. Upcoming events for students are:
Thursday, January 22, 014 Student Success Center, 4–6 p.m.
FAFSA and Scholarship Workshop with Enrollment Services: This workshop provides personalized support for submitting the Wright State Scholarship and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications before the February 1 deadline. Registration is required.
Thursday, February 26, 101 Student Success Center, noon–2 p.m.
PACK Speed Networking with Alumni Association: In collaboration with the Career Hub and the Alumni Association, this event connects students with the PACK Program, made up of alumni ambassadors, to help build critical skills, such as crafting an effective elevator pitch, during our speed networking activity.
Wright State Online Accessibility Training
Wright State Online will host Accessibility Fridays beginning in February. The sessions are offered in-person or online. The training sessions cover the essentials of creating inclusive and accessible learning materials.
Session 1: Document Accessibility — Organizing content structure, creating effective links, choosing accessible fonts, ensuring proper color contrast, performing basic PDF remediation, and using accessibility checkers:
- February 6 and March 13, 10–11:30 a.m.
Session 2: Audio and Video Accessibility — Adding closed captions, providing audio transcripts, writing alternative (alt) text, designing accessible PowerPoint slides, and using accessibility checkers:
- February 13 and March 20, 10–11:30 a.m.
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.
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.
