CFA Faculty Forum

The Present Professor: Mindfulness to Support You and Your Students 

Audience: All full-time and part-time faculty and Graduate TAs teaching UK Core courses 
Presenter: Associate Dean Shane 

This session brings together all CFA instructors teaching UK Core courses to align our work with the broader mission of the University of Kentucky. We will explore what UK Core means within the context of the arts, how our courses uniquely contribute to the University’s learning goals, and what the new CORE student learning outcomes mean for our curriculum. 

Participants will receive guidance on outcome mapping in Canvas, updated assessment expectations, and new reporting requirements. The goal is not simply compliance, but shared clarity about how our Core courses demonstrate the distinctive value of arts education within the University’s general education framework. 

Audience: All full-time and part-time faculty and Graduate TAs teaching UK Core courses 
Presenters: Associate Deans Arnold, Goodwin, and Shane 

This plenary highlights the essential tools and practices that help us create clear, supportive, and accessible learning environments in the College of Fine Arts. From Disability Resource Center (DRC) processes and Academic Alerts to attendance and excused absence policies, syllabus clarity, and digital accessibility, we will focus on practical strategies that strengthen both student experience and instructional confidence. The session will also introduce Canvas best practices and new opportunities for undergraduate research and related grant initiatives.  

Let’s Breathe!  

Presenter: Associate Dean Arnold 

We will take a few short moments to re-center our scattered minds and learn how calm is as close as your next breath. 

Breakout 1: Framing Your Impact: Building a Case for Promotion 

Audience: Assistant & Associate Professors preparing for promotion  
Presenter: Associate Dean Shane and Goodwin 
Fine Arts 107

This session provides guidance on preparing for 2nd and 4th-year reviews, tenure, and promotion to full professor within the College of Fine Arts. We will review expectations for advancement, timelines, and evaluation criteria, with particular attention to preparing materials for external reviewers and assembling a strong, coherent dossier. 

Participants will learn how to frame research/creative activity, teaching, and service for maximum clarity and impact; understand what external reviewers are asked to assess; and identify common dossier pitfalls.  

Breakout 2: From Idea to Implementation: Understanding the Curriculum Approval Process 

Audience: Full-time faculty interested in submitting curricular changes  
Presenter: Curriculum Committee Chair, Professor Matt Brock  
Fine Arts 208

This session provides practical guidance for faculty considering course revisions, new course proposals, program changes, and new programs. Participants will gain an understanding of the CFA and university curricular approval processes, including required documentation, timelines, and committee review pathways. The session will also introduce the CFA syllabus template.  

Breakout 3: Holistic Strategies for Today’s Learners 

Audience: Any teaching faculty  

Presenter: Associate Dean Arnold 
Briggs Theatre, Fine Arts 127

This breakout discussion introduces faculty to holistic teaching practices that support the academic, emotional, and social needs of today’s learners. We will explore the unique challenges facing the modern student, such as mental‑health stressors, digital saturation, and shifting learning behavior while also examining how multiple generations in the classroom bring differing values, motivations, and communication styles. Participants will gain practical strategies for creating inclusive, engaging learning environments that meet diverse students where they are. 

Breakout 4: Coaching Students to Build Durable Knowledge 

Audience: Any teaching faculty   

Presenters: Center for the Enhancement of Learning & Teaching (CELT) 

Singletary Center Rehearsal Room

In this session, we explore practical ways to coach students on how to study more effectively and efficiently while building more durable knowledge.   

Graduate TA Plenary: Growing into Your Role as a CFA Instructor 

Audience: All Graduate Teaching Assistants 

Presenters: Associate Deans Arnold and Shane 

This session is designed to support Graduate Teaching Assistants as they step into their roles as instructors within the College of Fine Arts. We will talk candidly about what it means to teach as a member of this academic community, how to navigate expectations with supervising faculty, and how to establish a professional presence in the classroom. 

Faculty Plenary: Advancing Research and Creative Practice in the Arts 

Audience: All Full-Time Faculty 

Presenter: Associate Dean Goodwin 

Research practices in the College of Fine Arts include Arts Research (creative activities), Social Science, Humanities, Translational Research and more.  Understanding how to leverage our value as researchers with the support of the College and University is essential. During this session faculty will learn about internal funding programs within the College and the University broadly. Navigating University structures for success in external grant searches, grant writing, budget preparation, and grant management requires time and strategy. 

Lunch will be provided and is intended as a time for collegial conversation and cross-unit connection. We encourage you to sit with someone new and continue the dialogue from the morning sessions. 

Student Services Tabling 

Organizations represented during the tabling will include:

CELT
DRC
Financial Aid
Big Blue Pantry
Student Success

Audience: All Full Time Faculty 

Presenter: Dean Shanda 

Recital Hall 

UK-FRAME is the new review method employed by the University of Kentucky. This new structure and process will be explained in detail. This is essential information. The spring of 2027 will be the first time faculty productivity will be evaluated using the FRAME structure. 

The largest change we will experience in the use of FRAME is how we enter information into varied systems. 

Let’s Stretch!  

Presenter: Associate Dean Arnold 

A short sequence of chair yoga to loosen tight muscles and something you can use whenever you need to release muscle tension throughout the day. 

Breakout 5: Pro-tips for Strategic Planning in Research Agenda 

Audience: Assistant and Associate Professors  
Presenter: CFA Research/Creative Activities Committee 
Fine Arts 107

Creating a strategic plan agenda and trajectory can feel overwhelming or disconnected from the actual research 

Breakout 6: Building a Case for Lecturer Advancement 

Audience: Lecturers preparing for promotion  
Presenter: Associate Dean Shane 
Fine Arts 208 

This session provides guidance for Lecturers preparing for promotion within the College of Fine Arts. We will review the criteria, timelines, and documentation expectations specific to lecturer advancement, with attention to demonstrating excellence in teaching, service, and sustained contribution to the College of Fine Arts. 

Breakout 7: The Present Professor: Mindfulness to Support You and Your Students  

Audience: Any faculty interested in cultivating practices of presence, intention, attention, attitude, and curiosity in the classroom. 

Presenter: Associate Dean Arnold 
Briggs Theatre, Fine Arts 127 

This breakout introduces faculty to simple, research‑informed mindfulness practices that can enhance personal well‑being and strengthen classroom presence. Participants will explore how mindfulness can reduce stress, improve focus, and support more intentional teaching. We will also discuss practical, inclusive ways to incorporate brief mindfulness strategies into the classroom to help students manage overwhelm, increase engagement, and build healthy learning habits. 

Breakout 8: UK Libraries 

Audience: Any faculty interested in learning more about the UK Fine Arts Library 

Presenters: Karyn Hinkle, Fine Arts Librarian  
Singletary Center Rehearsal Room