Sustained Engagement
One of the goals of the IIE is to offer opportunities for faculty to engage in a sustained manner. We see the value in stand-alone workshops and talks, but we also want to focus on programming that encourages our faculty to engage with various aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion on an ongoing basis. If any of the programs described below look interesting to you, email Institute for Inclusive Excellence for more information.
New Faculty Cohort (NFC) Program
Based on the sustained engagement model exemplified by student-focused programs like Posse and our Pomona Academic Cohorts, the New Faculty Cohort (NFC) is designed to gather newly hired tenure-track and multi-year visiting faculty together twice a month to explore campus resources, build community, and focus on inclusive pedagogy. In short, we want to teach you how to be successful at Pomona College as you begin your teaching journey.
In our meetings, every other week on Fridays for lunch, we will cover a wide range of topics including, but not limited to:
- A student panel discussing trends in the classroom
- Intelligent use of Artificial Intelligence
- Teaching feedback (personal reflection, peer observation, student feedback).
- The Dean of Students office key people and programs
- Support from the Dean of the College office (funding, professional development)
- Inclusive Syllabus design
- A panel of our Wig Distinguished Professor Award for excellence in Teaching winners
- And much more!
We use the text Inclusive Teaching by Kelly A. Hogan and Viji Sathy as our program guide, and we work though the book chapters over the course of the year. A copy will be provided to you, along with a small stipend for your participation.
The NFC has positively shaped the experience for our newest faculty, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Here are a few quotes from past participants:
“I have tremendously benefitted from the NFC program. One thing I enjoyed the most about the program is how it helped build a community for us. Having a regular time to look forwarded to provided sanity for a hectic first-year experience. Knowing that we have support from the organizers and our fellow NFC members provided a practical as well as psychological cushion. And of course, the topics covered were very helpful.”
“My experience with the NFC was integral to my first year at Pomona College. The biweekly meetings were an amazing opportunity to touch base with my peers, gain insight of campus culture, and discuss current pedagogical practices valued within our community.”
“I now have a network of colleagues across disciplines on campus, have a strong sense of how Pomona functions as an institution, and have an array of teaching tools to facilitate more inclusive and engaged classrooms.”
“I feel like my teaching is always improving through continual self-reflection and discussions with the group prompted by the NFC. The social aspect of the NFC was also hugely important. Most of the friends I have made since moving to Claremont were members of my NFC cohort, and feeling like a part of the Pomona College community improves my overall wellbeing, which positively affects my teaching, scholarship, and everything else about my academic life.”
“…the NFC program will boost your confidence in your teaching abilities and make you feel a full member of the Pomona community.
For more information about the New Faculty Cohort, please reach out to us at iie@pomona.edu!
Pomona Scholars of Teaching
The Pomona Scholars of Teaching (PST) is a faculty learning community designed to bring together colleagues who are committed to excellence in teaching and student success. Meeting every other week, participants engage in meaningful discussions and collaborative learning around relevant topics in teaching, pedagogy, and classroom practice. Beyond exploring evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning, the program also fosters connection and community among faculty, creating a supportive space to share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from one another across disciplines.
The IIE invites all faculty to apply for PST, led by Travis Brown (Director, The Institute for Inclusive Excellence) and Dylan Worcester (Director, The Quantitative Skills Center). This year PST will focus on Dialogue with support from the Sustained Dialogue Institute, and faculty will engage with students as pedagogical partners in designing and implementing an inclusive pedagogical change in their teaching practice. PST will meet bi-weekly this fall on Fridays from 12-1pm beginning on September 4th and will continue in the spring semester. PST participants will be awarded a $500 per semester stipend in recognition of their efforts. Any questions, please reach us at iie@pomona.edu.