Since 1890, the faculty at Washington State University have demonstrated a strong commitment to educating students. Our faculty are passionate about their work in classrooms, research settings, and one-on-one with WSU students. This commitment to and passion for education are what drive us to continuously improve the WSU student experience.
The LIFT Fellowship (Learn.Inspire.Foster.Transform.) is designed to support instructors in this work. We use teaching methods and modules that have been shown to improve students’ engagement, connection, and learning, to decrease course withdrawal and fail rates, and to increase retention.
Once accepted to the program, faculty fellows are engaged in an intensive learning environment as they explore and integrate evidence-based active learning and behavioral interventions in their teaching plans. We’re excited for our initial cohort of LIFT faculty graduates (December 2017) and look forward to another successful year of connection and collaboration as we forward our commitment to students’ success at WSU. Faculty fellows’ willingness to engage and practice innovative techniques demonstrates evidence of their commitment to the undergraduate experience and to excellence in instruction and student mentoring.
Learning Outcomes
After participating in LIFT, faculty fellows will be able to transform their courses using methods that have been shown to increase student engagement, connection, and learning. Through participation in LIFT, faculty will:
- Increase knowledge of theory and research related to active learning approaches and brief behavioral interventions
- Apply active learning techniques and brief behavioral interventions in their classes
- Support and be supported by your colleagues who share your commitment to student success
Faculty members highlight value of LIFT
Leticia Fanucchi, DVM, PhD, WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital
“The training program was very useful for me and I certainly learned a lot from it. The lectures and assignments were flexible and I did not feel overwhelmed by it. The team organized it really well, and gave us several opportunities to discuss our plans and activities. Also, the scholarship was much appreciated.
The highlights of the training for me were:
– Learning how to be more mindful of oneself, of the teaching (content), and more mindful of the students and their impressions/perspectives.
– Plan and gradually execute active learning without having to change your entire course overnight. You can take your time and implement one small change at a time.
– The peer observation activity was my favorite homework of the program, and I learned a lot from observing my colleague.
I highly recommend the LIFT program, not only for junior faculty, but for those who want to stay current on teaching strategies.”
Krista R.A. Nishida, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry
“The LIFT program has gotten a lot of us in chemistry implementing and researching additional things to benefit the students and their learning, so it was a very much appreciated opportunity. Thanks, again to the LIFT team!”
Application overview
The following questions are included in the online application. Please take a moment to peruse the questions before applying. We look forward to hearing from you!
- What is the course number for the class in which you will be implementing LIFT practices?
- What is the average enrollment for this course?
- Why are you interested in participating in the LIFT Faculty Fellows Program?
- Address how you would like to transform the way you teach and/or the ways your students learn.
- What are your intended outcomes for your students’ learning?
- Address your time commitment to adopt new practices.
- What challenges do you anticipate in implementing change to the way you teach or how students learn?
Commitment to participate in the LIFT Faculty Fellows Program
As a faculty fellow with the LIFT program, you are committing to the following:
- Attend LIFT orientation meeting, Feb. 26, 2018 (4 – 5 pm), location TBD.
- Attend two face-to-face behavioral intervention workshops and complete homework following the workshops (Spring 2018; Dates and times specific to Pullman or Regional campus implementation – see details below).
- Attend at least two of the pedagogical trainings (AOI Spring Training Schedule) associated with active learning strategies offered in conjunction with AOI
- Attend February 19, 2018 Teaching Innovation Day, Spark 212 (9am – 4pm) (NOTE: whole day will fulfill the above requirement for two trainings; half day will fulfill one of the two requirements; sessions will be broadcast via AMS for regional campus participation)
- Incorporate at least one behavioral intervention using a high-impact practice and/or active learning approach to implementation (e.g., POGIL, team-based learning, service learning) in your classroom to increase resilience, enhance applied problem-solving, and increase collaborative learning. (Fall 2018)
- Attend peer observation training session on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 from 1-3 pm (also AMS)
- Conduct at least one peer observation of another LIFT faculty fellow and debrief (Fall 2018)
- Conduct at least one peer observation of a former LIFT faculty fellow and debrief (Fall 2018)
- Be observed at least once by another faculty fellow and debrief (Fall 2018)
- Administer grant-specific pre-test and post-test assessments to students (Fall 2018)
- Complete your own pre-tests, post-tests and long-term LIFT evaluations (Spring and Fall 2018)
Live Training Sessions
Pullman:
Training 1: Social Belonging, Connection, Values and Values Based Decision Making
(Required, please select one of the two options)
Wednesday, March 21 from 9:00am – 3:30pm
Thursday, March 22 from 9:00am – 3:30pm
Training 2: Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, Growth Mindset and Resilience
(Required, please select one of the two options)
Wednesday, April 25 from 9:00am – 3:30pm
Thursday, April 26 from 9:00am – 3:30pm
Tri-Cities and Vancouver face to face training dates:
Trainings 1 and 2:
Monday, April 2 from 9:00am – 3:30pm (1)
Tuesday, April 3 from 9:00am – 3:30pm (2)
Other Important Dates for fellows at all locations:
February
- Teaching Innovation Day: Monday, February 19 from 9:00am – 4:00pm in SPARK 212 (also offered on AMS)
- Pullman LIFT Orientation: Monday, February 26 from 4:00 – 5:00pm. Location TBD.
- Tri-Cities/Vancouver LIFT Orientation: Tuesday, February 27 from 4:00 – 5:00pm. (AMS)
March
- Live Trainings in Pullman
April
- Peer Observation Training: Wednesday, April 18 from 1:00 – 3:00pm. Location TBD.
- Live Trainings in Pullman and Tri-Cities
Fall Semester
- Incorporate behavioral interventions using high-impact practices/active learning strategies for implementation in your classroom
- Conduct at least one peer observation of a current LIFT Fellow and at least one peer observation of a former LIFT Fellow
- Be observed by another current LIFT Fellow
- Administer pre-test and post-test assessments to students
Upon Completion of the Program
We recognize that LIFT involves a substantial time commitment. For your participation, you will receive:
- A $1,200 payment in the form of faculty time card for completion of all LIFT Faculty Fellow requirements including the adoption and implementation of at least one brief behavioral intervention in an active learning style related to connection/social belonging, values/value-based decision-making, mindfulness/self-compassion or growth mindset/resiliency.
- A certificate of completion.
- A letter of thanks, copied to your department chair and dean.
LIFT Faculty Fellows 2017
| Name | Campus | College | Department |
| Paul Buckley | Pullman | CAS | Chemistry |
| Lisa Carloye | Pullman | CAS | Biology |
| Sandra Cooper | Pullman | CAS | Math |
| Asaph Cousins | Pullman | CAS | Biology |
| Leticia Fanucchi | Pullman | CVM | Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience |
| Michael Finnegan | Pullman | CAS | Chemistry |
| Erin Gallagher | Pullman | COMM | Communication |
| Mark Gibson | Pullman | CAHNRS | School of Economic Sciences |
| Deborah Handy | Pullman | CAHNRS | Human Development |
| Hanjo Hellmann | Pullman | CAS | Biology |
| Joseph Hewa | Pullman | CAHNRS | Human Development |
| Leeann Hunter | Pullman | CAS | English |
| Jennifer Johnson | Pullman | CAHNRS/CAS | Environmental Science |
| Allyson King-Beall | Pullman | CAHNRS/CAS | Environmental Science |
| Lyudmyla Kompaniyets | Pullman | CAHNRS | School of Economic Sciences |
| Krista Nishida | Pullman | CAS | Chemistry |
| Anna Plemons | Pullman | CAS | English |
| Donelle (Dee) Posey | Pullman | CAS | Psychology |
| Alejandro Prera | Pullman | CAHNRS | School of Economic Sciences |
| Marsha Quinlan | Pullman | CAS | Anthropology |
| Judy Schultz | Pullman | COE | Sport Science |
| Jihyeong Son | Pullman | CAHNRS | Apparel, Merchandising, Design & Textiles |
| Sam Swindell | Pullman | CAS | Psychology |
| Paul Verrell | Pullman | CAS | Biology |
| Kate Watts | Pullman | CAS | English |
| Elizabeth Weybright | Pullman | CAHNRS | Human Development |
| Anna Whitehall | Pullman | CAHNRS | Human Development |
| Kara Whitman | Pullman | CAHNRS/CAS | Environmental Science |
| Srinivas Allena | Tri-Cities | VCEA | Civil and Environmental Engineering |
| Katherine Banks | Tri-Cities | CAS | School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs |
| Jesus Bravo | Tri-Cities | CCB | Management |
| Vanessa Cozza | Tri-Cities | CAS | English |
| Sena Clara Creston | Tri-Cities | CAS | Fine Arts |
| Gibran Escalera | Tri-Cities | CAS | English |
| Jonah Firestone | Tri-Cities | COE | Science Education |
| Mark Mansperger | Tri-Cities | CAS | Anthropology |
| Byron Marlowe | Tri-Cities | CCB | Hospitality Business Management |
| Allison Matthews | Tri-Cities | CAS | Psychology |
| Sarah Newcomer | Tri-Cities | COE | Literacy Education |
| Janet Peters | Tri-Cities | CAS | Psychology |
| Elsa Silva Lopez | Tri-Cities | CAS | Chemistry |
| Sara Sorensen Petersen | Tri-Cities | COE | Special Education |
| Elly Sweet | Tri-Cities | CAS | Biology |
| Cynthia Cooper | Vancouver | CAS | Molecular Biosciences |
| Dale Fortin | Vancouver | CVM | Neuroscience |
| Brenda Grell | Vancouver | CAS | Digital Technology and Culture |
| Adam McKee | Vancouver | CAS | Sociology |
| E. Regina McMenomy | Vancouver | CAS | English and Women Studies |
| Wendy Olson | Vancouver | CAS | English |
| Cynthia O’Rourke | Vancouver | CAS | Biology |
| Michael Rabby | Vancouver | CAS | Digital Technology and Culture |
| Aaron Whelchel | Vancouver | CAS | History |
| Debra Wilmington | Vancouver | CAS | Biology |
Acronyms: College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Education (COE), College of Veterniary Medicine (CVM), Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture (VCEA), Carson College of Business (CCB)
LIFT trainers in training 2018
Pullman
Joe Hewa
Anna Whitehall
Kara Whitman
Instructor, School of the Environment
Many students entering college have not yet fully developed their learning skills, nor gained the confidence to self-direct that learning, and propose novel ideas and solutions. Students at this stage in their education are also in a time of transition and are particularly susceptible to influences that will shape the mindset that will guide the type of learner they become, the skills that they acquire, and the experiences that they have during their time at the University and beyond. LIFT provides the evidence as well as ideas for approaches to enhance student self-confidence, sense of belonging, and provide a structured process to transform and/or enhance each student’s approach to growth, learning, and problem solving. I am very excited to be a LIFT Trainer and look forward to building a larger collaborative community of student-centered teachers!
Tri-Cities
Katie Banks
Instructor, School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs
My name is Katie Banks, and I stand for community building, creating, and seeking wisdom. To me, wisdom encapsulates both knowledge and understanding, and when my values are aligned, I’m able to help co-create and shape the communities I belong to through promoting knowledge and understanding. I am passionate about helping those who are underrepresented—either in higher education or in our larger sociopolitical systems—to find voice and identity and, ultimately, to become empowered. My teaching, research, and service are extensions of these values: I teach classes in global leadership, good-enough activism, and civic engagement; I advise the campus’ GSA organization (Queers and Allies), supervise the GSA Internship, and serve on the President’s Commission for Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation (GIESO) and the Vice President’s Working Group on Executive Policy 15; and I research global health policies and politics in international development. I’m part of the CTLL TCI’s LIFT program because I believe that the best pedagogical practices approach more than just course content; we must use more varied strategies to promote student academic, professional, and personal success—inside and outside of the classroom.
Janet Peters
Instructor, Psychology
As a teacher, I strive to engage, challenge, and spark intellectual curiosity in my students. In a perfect world, I would accomplish those goals within each course, class session, and assignment. But the reality is that teaching, good teaching, is hard. Maybe that’s why I’m passionate about it, because I like the challenge and complexity of the problem. I enjoy analyzing my classes for areas of improvement, scrutinizing my grading and course policies, developing new projects, and evaluating my own performance. But, like anyone else, I get stuck. After participating in the LIFT program as a faculty fellow, I was re-energized with fresh ideas to incorporate into my most difficult courses. Now, as a LIFT trainer, I am thrilled to be able to work with other faculty who want to positively impact their students through empirically supported interventions. I love the collaborative nature of the LIFT program and am happy to share my experiences and resources with anyone interested.
Vancouver
Aaron Whelchel
Instructor, History
My interest in student success developed out of my experiences teaching first year courses at WSU. I was struck by the pivotal role student motivation and mindset play in successful completion of those courses and intrigued by the evidence suggesting even brief interventions can impact these factors. After participating in the LIFT program as a Faculty Fellow, I implemented some brief interventions in my classroom. Both students and I viewed these activities as engaging, relevant, and effective in fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging resilience and “grit.” Based on these positive experiences, I was enthusiastic about the opportunity to become a LIFT trainer and help promote these techniques to the wider WSU community, especially at the Vancouver campus.