LIFT Faculty Fellowship

The LIFT Fellowship (Learn.Inspire.Foster.Transform.) is designed to support instructors in this work. We use teaching methods 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, LIFT 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 are inviting WSU faculty system-wide to join our fifth cohort of LIFT Fellows to engage in a 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:

• Develop 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 colleagues who share their 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

Applicants to the LIFT Faculty Fellowship will answer the following questions in the online application. Please take a moment to peruse the questions before applying. Applications are due by December 15, 2022 at 5:00 PM (Pacific).

• 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?
• LIFT Fellows are required to integrate a LIFT teaching practice in Fall 2022.  Will you be able to meet this requirement? Why or why not?

  

  

  

  

  

Commitment to participate in the LIFT Faculty Fellows Program

As a faculty fellow with the LIFT program, you are committing to completing the following activities by May 15, 2024:

Date-specific meetings and trainings

• Attend the LIFT Cohort 6 training on the WSU Tri-Cities Campus scheduled from May 11 (8:30 AM) through May 12, 2023 (4:00 PM)
  • LIFT Training Modules 1 (Connection and Social Belonging) and 2 (Values and Values-Based Decision Making): May 11
  • LIFT Training Modules 3 (Mindfulness and Self-Compassion) and 4 (Growth Mindset and Resilience): May 12
• Complete readings and pre-reflections in preparation for in-person training
• Complete LIFT evaluations
• Attend at least two of the pedagogical trainings offered by Academic Outreach and Innovation (AOI), the Transformational Change Initiative, WSU Teaching Academy, or CVM Teaching Academy (other campus-specific options may be substituted with approval) .
• Complete a Classroom Implementation plan detailing how you will use active learning approaches to incorporate at least one LIFT teaching practice in your classroom (e.g., resilience, social belonging, mindfulness, self-compassion, growth mind-set).
• Meet at least three times with your Peer Mentoring Pod.
• Attend a 50-minute peer observation training session.
• Conduct a classroom observation of a former LIFT faculty fellow and debrief.
• Complete a final progress report.

Additional information about these requirements will be offered by the LIFT team via email, during the training, 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 $2,000 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.

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)