Faculty Retreats and Institutes

Since semesters are busy, then summers, weekends, or other breaks from teaching are often the ideal time when faculty can make progress on their scholarship and reinvigorate their passion for the profession. CELT offers various retreats and summer institutes for faculty to have dedicated time in a comfortable setting to recharge as educators.

Check back regularly for confirmed dates and updated descriptions as they may change.

Faculty Write Away! Retreat 

Has your scholarship been sidelined by the daily demands of teaching this year? Do you want to research and write during Spring Break? The literature on faculty development shows that having a dedicated space for writing, and being around colleagues who are also committed to research and writing, can help faculty get their work done.

For two consecutive days during Spring Break (Monday, March 18 to Tuesday, March 19, 2019), VSU faculty can participate in the Faculty Write Away! Retreat at CELT. The entire building is reserved for VSU faculty to "get away" from their offices or homes so they can have a quiet and comfortable space to convene, research, and write.

Faculty Writing

Faculty can use a desktop computer in CELT or bring their laptop, tablet, or pen to research, write, and share goals, struggles, and accomplishments with fellow faculty. Individual and collaborative work spaces are available. Participants receive complimentary lunch along with light beverages and snacks throughout the two days of the retreat. Come one day or two days, whichever suits your schedule and needs.

Dr. Darrell Fike (Professor of English) and Dr. Jamie Landau (Director of CELT) co-facilitate the Faculty Write Away! Retreat at CELT. Here is the retreat daily schedule:

  • 9 a.m.: Everyone meets for coffee, light breakfast snacks, and goal sharing.
  • 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Individual research and writing time.
  • 12:30–1:30 p.m.: Everyone reconvenes for lunch together and conversation.
  • 1:30–3:30 p.m.: Opportunities to convene in writing groups for feedback and problem-solving, receive one-on-one mentoring, or return to individual writing.
  • 3:30–4 p.m.: Everyone reconvenes to report progress, celebrate accomplishments, and plan for the next day’s work or action steps after retreat.

If participants need to step out for any reason during one day of the retreat or cannot make both days, then that’s fine, too. However, research on faculty writing retreats reveals that building community with colleagues is key to having a productive scholarly agenda.  There will be a follow-up mini-retreat one Saturday in April.

Faculty can register through VSU's Training Portal.

Faculty Renewal Retreat   

Are you wondering what’s next after tenure? Are your professional goals less clear now than when you were junior faculty? Maybe you’re feeling burnt out? What do you want to be known for after you retire? Do you want to be a leader or leave a legacy on campus?  

Research in faculty development shows these are common questions and experiences of post-tenure, mid-career, and senior faculty. These issues are more prevalent in the current context that involves the mass retirement of Baby Boomers and significant changes in higher education across the country. 

During the Faculty Renewal Retreat at CELT in the summer, post-tenure, mid-career, and senior faculty will have the unique opportunity to gather together to reflect on, reframe, and renew their identities as teachers, scholars, practitioners, and leaders at VSU. Highlights include mindfulness and wellness activities, career coaching, leadership and legacy development, inspiration from colleagues who are distinguished teachers and researchers, and affirmation from students.

Blazer Summer Research Institute  

The Blazer Summer Research Institute (BSRI) is a competitive program for VSU faculty and undergraduate students that is internally funded by Academic Affairs, University Advancement, and private donations. The goal of the BSRI 2019 pilot program is to support faculty-led undergraduate student research projects during the summer term, which aligns with VSU's Strategic Plan Goal 2 to increase experiential learning opportunities for students.

For more information about the pilot institute, including details about funding for faculty and application timeline, see the Undergraduate Research Council's website for the BSRI.