LIFT Faculty Fellowship

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 welcomed our fourth cohort of LIFT faculty this past spring (2021) and congratulate our most recent program graduates (December 2020)! Here’s looking 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. Applications are closed for 2021.

• 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 meeting schedule and training requirements:

Date-specific meetings and trainings

• Attend the LIFT Cohort 4 Orientation on Wednesday, January 27, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Attend four behavior intervention workshops facilitated by LIFT Trainers and complete homework before and following the workshops.
  • LIFT Training 1 – Connection and Social Belonging: Wednesday, February 3, 2-4 p.m.
  • LIFT Training 2 – Values and Values-Based Decision-Making: Thursday, March 4, 2-4 p.m.
  • LIFT Training 3 – Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: Wednesday, March 31, 2-4 p.m.
  • LIFT Training 4 – Growth Mindset and Resilience: Thursday, April 29, 2-4 p.m.
• Attend the LIFT End of Year Celebration on Wednesday, May 12, 2-4 p.m.
• Attend peer observation training session led by Bill Davis: Thursday, September 9, 2-4 p.m.

Trainings and requirements to be completed between August 23 (first day of fall term instruction) and December 10 (last day of fall term instruction), 2021.

• Attend at least two of the pedagogical trainings associated with active learning strategies offered in conjunction with AOI.
• Incorporate at least one behavioral intervention using a high-impact practice/active learning (e.g., POGIL, team-based learning, service learning) in your classroom to increase resilience/enhance applied problem-solving and increase collaborative learning.
• Conduct a classroom observation of a former LIFT faculty fellow and debrief.
• Observe and be observed in the classroom by a current, peer LIFT Fellow and debrief.
• Administer LIFT-specific pre-test and post-test assessments to students.
• Complete your own pretests, post-tests and long-term LIFT evaluations.
• Complete a final progress report.

Additional information about these requirements will be offered by the LIFT team during orientation and at subsequent times throughout the year. We work diligently to make sure you are on track and successful.

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/resilience.
• A certificate of completion.
• A letter of thanks, copied to your department chair and dean.

Aaron Whelchel

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.

LIFT Faculty Fellows 2019

LIFT Faculty Fellows 2018

LIFT Faculty Fellows 2017

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)