FACULTY CONFERENCE

Friday, January 12, 2024 | 11:30AM – 5:30PM, reception following

The Houston Room, UH Student Center South

faculty-senate-seal
Artwork: Folly by Jorge Pardo, courtesy UH Public Art

The 2024 Faculty Conference confronts changes and challenges in higher ed—from academic freedom to AI, climate change to mental health. Join your colleagues for a compelling keynote, breakout sessions, workshops, good food and discussion capped by a happy hour in the UH Bowling Alley.

Register Here

Welcome

Diane Z. Chase, Ph.D.

Dr. Diane Z. Chase serves as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost for the University of Houston and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the University of Houston System.

Susie Gronseth, Ph.D.

UH Faculty Senate President
Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education.

Jonathan GS Koppell, Ph.D.

President of Montclair State University and a nationally recognized scholar of policy, organization and management with a reputation as a visionary leader in higher education.

Breakout sessions

According to a recent report from Inside Higher Ed, 75% of the faculty they surveyed report not using generative AI. This discussion will address the uses and abuses of AI and what is happening at UH.

Claudia Neuhauser

Interim Vice President/Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Houston

Chris Bronk

Associate Professor, Hobby School of Public Affairs

Elizabeth Rodwell

Assistant Professor of Digital Media at the University of Houston

This session offers you a front seat with the UH General Counsel’s office to learn about the impacts of and responses to recent Texas legislative actions.

Lucy Kehinde Darnell

Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Clinical Assoc Professor, College of Optometry

Jeff Palmer

Deputy General Counsel

This discussion from multiple disciplinary angles will address the power outage of 2021: what insight did this teach us about the reliability of renewables, public policies on cross-state energy sharing, and social inequality in our city from the way the crisis and response played out? As UH commits resources at a significant scale to energy innovation and transitions to sustainability, how can we position our institution within broader efforts to ensure a more secure future for ERCOT and for wider national/transnational energy economies?

David Womble

Assistant Professor, English

Joseph Powell

Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Funda Sahin

Associate Professor of Logistics

This quiet session includes both the introduction of techniques for mindful meditation and a meditation practice done seated or lying down. This session is led by the Mindfulness, Well-Being and Spirituality Lab at UH. Mats will be provided.

Bradley H. Smith

Professor and Director of the School Psychology Doctoral Program

Caroline Mousa

Graduate Student, School Psychology in the College of Education

Catherine (Cat) Urso

Graduate Student, School Psychology in the College of Education

Pillars of Wellness for Faculty Panel

In this interactive workshop, four experts in brain health, social support, sleep, and creativity will discuss top stressors for faculty and offer coping strategies and tools for managing year-round mental health.

Candace Alfano

Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Sleep and Anxiety Center of Houston

Rodica Damian

Associate Professor and Director of the Personality Development and Success Lab

Luis D. Medina

Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Collaborative on Aging Research and Multicultural Assessment (CARMA) Lab

Alan Witt

Professor, Hobby School of Public Affairs

Reception

Join your colleagues for a happy hour reception in the UH Bowling Alley and Games Room from 5:15- 7:00pm.

  • The space is reserved only for conference attendees.
  • Activities (bowling, billiards, and table tennis) are free*. Music will be playing.
  • Heavy appetizers and drinks will be served.
  • Conversation and friendly competition is up to you.
The UH Bowling Alley and Games Room is to the right of Starbucks on the bottom floor of Student Center South.

*Arcade games are available but will be self-pay. You might want to bring some socks to wear with those jazzy bowling shoes.

Schedule

Time Session Location
January 12th
11:30am – 12:15pm Lunch Houston Room
12:15pm Welcome message - Provost Chase Houston Room
12:25pm Introduction of the keynote Houston Room
12:30pm – 1:30pm Keynote talk Houston Room
1:30pm - 2:10pm Coffee, dessert, and discussion Houston Room
2:10pm - 4:00pm Breakout sessions Houston Room
4:00pm - 4:10pm. Break
4:10pm - 5:00pm Pillars of Wellness for Faculty Panel Houston Room
5:00pm Closing remarks Houston Room
5:15pm - 7:00pm Reception Bowling Alley

Contact

The Faculty Senate

306 M.D. Anderson Library
Houston, TX 77204-2005
713.743.9181
fsenate@central.uh.edu

Directions

Student Center South

Houston Room, 2nd floor of Student Center South
Bowling Alley (reception), lower floor, Student Center South

View Location information


Faculty Senate Conference 2024 Planning Committee

  • Ann Christensen (co-chair)
    College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
  • Taylor Davis-Van Atta (co-chair)
    University of Houston Libraries
  • Gulin Asku
    Cullen College of Engineering
  • Chris Bronk
    Hobby School of Public Affairs
  • Rachel Bush
    Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts
  • Lindita Camaj
    Jack J. Valenti School of Communication
  • Mabel Cuesta
    College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
  • Brigitte Dauwalder
    College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
  • Susie Gronseth
    College of Education
  • Michelle Ivey
    College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
  • Tiffany Legendre Conrad
    C. N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management
  • Alan Lish
    Bauer College of Business
  • Holley Love
    Cullen College of Engineering
  • Leo Martin
    University of Houston Libraries
  • Steven Matijicio
    Katherine G. McGovern College of the Arts
  • Bradley McConnell
    College of Pharmacy
  • Mequanint Moges
    College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
  • Jeanette Morales
    Faculty Senate
  • Christophe Ribelayga
    College of Optometry
  • Brandon Rottinghaus
    College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences