Purpose
The New Faculty Teaching Academy is a professional development program designed to support faculty in their first three years of teaching at Mississippi State University. This program introduces essential strategies for effective course organization, student engagement, and communication to enhance the teaching and learning experience. Additionally, it includes onboarding resources to help faculty get started with practical tasks such as accessing class rosters, understanding instructional technology options, and navigating relevant university policies. Participants will explore evidence-based practices tailored to their needs and develop practical resources to apply directly to their courses.
Content and Schedule
The New Faculty Teaching Academy is divided into three focus areas: Organization, Engagement, and Communication. The asynchronous portion of the program allows participants to progress through modules at their own pace. Each module includes flexible, practical assignments to prepare participants for upcoming semesters and onboarding components to support their transition to teaching at MSU. This ensures that participants are equipped with both foundational teaching skills and essential administrative knowledge. In addition to the online modules, participants attend two face-to-face sessions—one at the start of the semester and a mid-point check-in. These in-person meetings are essential for building community and providing additional support.
Module Outline:
Module 1: Organization
This module provides foundational lessons on instructional design, including course design basics, syllabus creation, and course scheduling. It also covers critical MSU policies and procedures for teachers. Participants will complete this module by preparing their course syllabus, ensuring they are well-prepared for the upcoming semester.
Module 2: Engagement
This module focuses on strategies to foster student engagement. Topics include effective presentation techniques, active learning strategies, and managing classroom dialogue. Participants will conclude this module by developing a plan for an early class period that is both focused and engaging.
Module 3: Communication
The final module emphasizes building rapport and effective communication. Participants will learn about communicating expectations, providing constructive feedback, and efficient grading practices. The module concludes with participants creating a comprehensive communication plan to establish strong connections with their students.
Participant Comments
"All of the lessons, activities, and discussions were great. The virtual aspect of the NFTA made it particularly valuable as I was able to listen to particular modules as I was preparing for the upcoming semester."
"I learned so many new ways of engaging my students, being inclusive, and being thoughtful in the structure and organization of my class."
"Lots of tips and tricks for the classroom!"
Completions
The following participants completed all coursework to earn the New Faculty Teaching Academy digital badge.
Dr. Yasmeen Ahmed – Research Associate – Building Construction Science
Dr. Alexandria Arnett – Clinical Instructor – CVM Clinical Science Department
Dr. Chrysta Beck – Assistant Professor – Poultry Science
Dr. Jocelyn Bodmer – Assistant Professor – Animal and Dairy Sciences
Jack Burnside – Instructor – English
Dr. Santiago Cornejo Tonnelier – Assistant Professor – Poultry Science
Dr. Neil Deochand – Assistant Professor – Counseling, Higher Ed. Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations
Dr. Kate Frick – Assistant Professor – Kinesiology
Dr. Shankar Ganapathi Shanmugam – Assistant Research Professor – Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing, and Biotechnology
Dr. Bohumir Jelinek – Assistant Research Professor – CAVS Research
Sungu Kim – Assistant Professor – Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Daniel Kuzmich – Assistant Professor – Marketing, Quantitative Analysis, and Supply Chain Logistics
Marty Lang – Assistant Professor – Communication, Media, and Theater
Mary Beth Lang – Lecturer – Psychology
Dr. Zhuowei Li – Assistant Professor – Landscape Architecture
Janel Long – Instructor – Music
Dr. Candice Marti – Assistant Professor – Marketing, Quantitative Analysis, and Supply Chain Logistics
Dr. Kristy McAndrew – Assistant Professor – Forestry (FWRC)
Colin McCown – Associate Professor of Practice – Sustainable Bioproducts (FWRC)
Dr. Andie Miller – Assistant Professor – Agricultural Science and Plant Protection
Dr. Hye Yeon Park – Assistant Professor – Landscape Architecture
Dr. Bret Pimentel – Assistant Teaching Professor – Music
Nicolas Rodriguez Gonzalez – Assistant Professor – Finance and Economics
Dr. Allison Stuewe – Assistant Professor – Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures
Abby Thames – Assistant Teaching Professor – Physician Assistant Studies
Dr. Juile White – Assistant Clinical Professor – CVM Pathobiology and Population Medicine
Rachel Woodward – Instructor – Human Development and Family Sciences
Dr. Danielle Wylie – Assistant Teaching Professor – Philosophy and Religion
Dr. Ram Adhikari - Assistant Professor of Forestry
Dr. Jacqueline Bell - Assistant Teaching Professor of CHEF
Dr. Jessica Benson - Assistant Professor of Human Sciences
Claire Bland - Coordinator BBB Program
Dr. Murry Burgess - Assistant Professor of FWRC
Dr. Jessie Cossitt - Assistant Teaching Professor of Computer Science & Engineering
Dr. Marie David - Postdoctoral Associate of CHEF
Omar Es Sahli - Assistant Teaching Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Mary Figueroa - Instructor of Arts & Sciences
Lacey Fitts - Assistant Professor of TEAL
Dr. Taylor Heckman - Assistant Professor of Delta Research & Extension Center
Eric Horton - Visiting Assistant Professor of Art
Dr. Steffi Hung - Assistant Teaching Professor of Classical & Modern Languages & Literature
Natalie Jeffcoat - Assistant Professor of Interior Design
Kim Kavalsky - Assistant Director of Health Promotion & Sexual Assault Services
Dr. Sabhyata Lamichhane - Assistant Professor of Forestry
Dr. Brittany Lancaster - Assistant Professor of Psychology
Dr. Blake Lehman - Assistant Professor of English
Dr. Ling Li - Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Dr. Zenaida Magbanua - Assistant Teaching Professor of Biochemistry, Nutrition, & Health Promotion
Kei Mamiya - Associate Director of HCDC
Dr. Darrell Phillips - Associate Clinical Professor - Animal Emergency & Referral Center
Dr. Nisha Pillai - Assistant Research Professor of Computer Science & Engineering
Alex Pittman - Instructor of Animal and Dairy Science
Bailey Poindexter - Student Services Coordinator in Human Sciences
Dr. Franklin Quin - Assistant Professor in Sustainable Bioproducts
Dr. Jaspreet Randhawa - Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy
Jake Reed - Instructor I of Geosciences
Dr. Madeline Saunders - Assistant Professor of CHEF
Christopher Sheklian - Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Religion
Ed Smith - Assistant Teaching Professor of Meridian Physician Assistant
Dr. Renee Snyder - Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Nutrition, & Health Promotion
Dr. Maural Sowlat - Assistant Clinical Professor of CVM MS Aquatic Diagnostic Lab
Greg Thorn - Assistant Teaching Professor of Communication
Dr. Jonathon Whitlock - Assistant Professor of Psychology
Dr. Pat Wooden - Postdoctoral Associate of Agricultural Science & Plant Protection
Dr. Meng Yang - Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Nutrition, & Health Promotion
Dr. Xue Zhang - Assistant Professor of Animal & Dairy Science
Morgan Green - Instructor of Mechanical Engineering
Jay Jackson - Lecturer of Biological Sciences
LaMareshia Johnson - Instructor of Education
Dr. Joel Komakech - Assistant Professor - Food Science, Nutrition, & Health Promotion
Dr. Seunghan Lee - Assistant Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Dr. Meg Marquardt - Assistant Professor of English
Kaylin McNulty - Assistant Clinical Professor - CVM Pathobiology
Chris Misun - Instructor of Communication
Dr. Adam Rohnke - Extension Specialist I - Central MS Research & Extension Center
Dr. Emily Stinson - Instructor of English
Ahmad Taninah - Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy
Dr. Rocheryl Ware - Extension Agent IV - MSU Extension (Hinds County)
Dr. Melody Whitney - Assistant Clinical Professor - CVM Clinical Science Department
Anita Winger - Automations Systems Manager - General Library
Dr. Tim Boltz - Assistant Professor of Poultry Science
Melanie Boudreau - Postdoctoral Associate - Wildlife, Fisheries, & Aquaculture
Manoj Chandy Koshy - Postdoctoral Associate - Thad Cochran Warmwater Aquaculture
Michelle Cleveland - Extension Instructor - School of Human Sciences
Dr. Jessica Collier - Assistant Professor of Communication
Jared Elmore - Research Associate - Wildlife, Fisheries, & Aquaculture
Christian Flow - Visiting Assistant Professor - Shackouls Honor College
LaMareshia Johnson - Instructor of Education
Dr. Candace Lukasik - Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Religion
Carrie McCormick - Instructor of Communication
Dr. Alisha Milam - Assistant Clinical Professor of Education
Dr. Ander Murillo - Assistant Professor of English
Dr. Mike Mulvaney - Associate Professor & Endowed Chair of Plant & Soil Sciences
Rainer Nichols - Instructor - Center for Resolving Human Wildlife Conflict
Dr. Justin Pinta - Assistant Professor of Classical & Modern Languages & Literature
Dr. Christine Rogers - Research Associate - Mississippi State Chemical Lab
Dr. Mackenzie Sidwell - Associate Professor of Counseling, Ed Psychology, & Foundations
Molly Stafford - Academic Coordinator - Disability Resource Center
Bryan Whittenton - Instructor of Plant & Soil Sciences
Dr. Fikriyah Winata - Assistant Professor of Geoscienes
Jinlong Zhang - Postdoctoral Associate of Chemistry
Dr. Carly Bahler - Instructor of Classical & Modern Languages & Literature
Dr. Tineka Burkhead - Graduate Teaching Assistant - Biological Sciences
Dr. Jennifer Campbell - Assistant Clinical Professor of Music
Dr. Lourdes Cardozo Gabisso - Assistant Professor of English
Netasha Cummings - Athletic Academic Support Services
Kelsey Harvey - Assistant Professor - Prairie Research Unit
Dr. Jenna Johnson - Instructor of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Samantha Jones - School of Human Sciences
Dr. Kevin Kim
Dr. Kay Morgan
Dr. Rosanne Nunnery - Meridian Division of Education
Dr. Ashley Schulz - Assistant Professor of Forestry
Darcie Sidelinger - Clinical Instructor - CVM Pathobiology/Population Med
Beca Spencer - Assistant Director of Disability Support Services
Jordan Spencer - Assistant Clinical Professor - Counseling, Ed Psychology, & Foundations
Dr. Hailey Spinks - Assistant Clinical Professor - Counseling, Ed Psych, & Foundations
Heidi Vonderheide - Assistant Clinical Professor - Meridian Physician Assistant Program
Dr. Nuwan Wijewardane - Assistant Professor - Ag & Bio Engineering
Dr. Xin Zhang - Assistant Professor - Ag & Bio Engineering