November 2023
 
A Note from the Dean
Dear Colleagues,
I'm forever struck with awe at the beauty of Lexington in autumn, this year was definitely no slouch.
Now that we're past midterms, I hope you're seeing the fruits of your labor with our students. I very much appreciate all that you do to support them along the way in their college careers. All will surely pay off. Below you will find a description of a faculty cohort for encouraging you to include career exploration in your courses in small or big ways. I encourage you to consider participating.
Best wishes for a lovely Thanksgiving break!
Stay warm,
 
 
 
 
 
Career Connections Cohort
Join this Winter term cohort to identify how you can empower students to gain confidence about their professional futures, regardless of their choice of major. While most students seek a fulfilling, but also good, job following graduation, they struggle to articulate the skills they're developing in their coursework. In turn, this means they struggle to articulate their abilities to potential employers, and instead of thinking about the skills conveyed in every course, choose majors that appear to lead directly to a job. First-gen and underrepresented students experience the most difficulty with this, as they have fewer connections to the "hidden curriculum" related to professionalization. Faculty, who are often the most accessible career mentors to students due to the length of time they spend with students in class, are well positioned to help students close the gap between coursework and careers, and to make career planning accessible to all students. Topics over the four lunch-and-learn sessions include 1. How your existing course content translates to employer-sought skills; 2. How to meet the needs of first-gen and underrepresented students when it comes to career connections; 3. How to emphasize students' values and strengths in relation to their wellbeing; and 4. How to think holistically across key areas—from advising, to major declaration, to internship, research and co-curricular experiences—in relation to students' need for purposeful work.
Contact Genelle Gertz if you would like to join this Winter-term teacher-scholar cohort. Everyone is welcome!
 
 
 
Winter College Mini-Grants for Course Enhancements
The Dean of the College invites proposals from College Faculty for mini-grants for WINTER TERM 2024. Proposals of up to $750.00 for enhancements to specific departmental or interdisciplinary program courses to be taught in WINTER TERM 2024 will be considered. Faculty members submit proposals to their dept./prog. heads for endorsement by December 1. Heads submit endorsed proposals to Dean's Office by December 8.
 
Do you work with or know some amazing people at W&L?
Know someone who's accomplishing great things? Take the time to show them your appreciation by submitting their name and info to The Office of Communications and Public Affairs. If selected, the person may be featured in the Employee Accolades portion of The Columns Weekly newsletter. W&L is filled with amazing people, let's tell each other all about them!
 
 
 
Dates and Deadlines
11-01
Initial Registration, Undergraduate Winter 2024 through November 7
Registrar
11-06
University Faculty Meeting
4:00pm - Stackhouse
11-07
Deadline for Spring 2024 Course Proposals
C&D
11-13
Department & Program Head Meeting
4:00pm - Hillel 101
11-20
November 20-24 Thanksgiving Break: No Classes
12-01
First Pre-tenure Review Letters from Department Heads due to Dean
12-01
Winter Mini-grant Proposals from Faculty Due
Submit to Dept/Prog Heads for Endorsement
12-04
Undergraduate Faculty Meeting
4:00pm - Stackhouse
12-08
Winter Mini-grant Proposals from Dept/Prog Heads Due
Heads Submit to Dean's Office by Email
mailto:mrothenberger@wlu.edu
 
About the CollegeFor FacultyFor StaffContact Info
Washington and Lee University
The Office of the Dean of the College
Lexington, Virginia 24450
540-458-8746
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