FaCIT candidate open forums continue after search hiatus

The world becomes more and more of a global society every day, and Connie Watson, Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching director candidate, knows this.

“You can learn a lot from other countries and cultures,” Watson said.

Watson spoke about many of her own personal experiences with global education and how they have helped her to grow Friday at an open forum. She mentioned her trip to Costa Rica’s University for Peace, where she stayed with a family she had never met before. She said it was difficult for her because she did not speak Spanish, but she said that helped her grow even more.

“When you’re feeling uncomfortable, you can stop and take note that it’s a growing experience,” Watson said.

Watson talked about incorporating global education into all areas of educational discipline during her open forum on Friday in the Lake Huron Room of the Bovee University Center.

“Teachers can integrate global education into their classes in several ways,” Watson said.

Watson said professors could find ways to educate their students about global society in any class. One of the ways she recommended was teachers from different disciplines to work together and help teach each other’s classes.

Ulana Klymyshyn, the director of Multicultural Programs, was impressed with Watson’s ideas, but unsure how they would work.

“I think what she said was good,” Klymyshyn said. “It would take some thought on how they would be implemented outside of the social sciences though.”

Although Klymyshyn was unsure how global education could be implemented into all the different disciplines.

“I think she gave an excellent presentation,” Klymyshyn said. “She has a very dynamic style.”

The search for a new FaCIT director has been ongoing since January. Early on this semester, three potential candidates were brought in for open forum interviews. After the first three interviews, however, more applications came in.

“We had an ongoing search and we continued to get more candidates,” said Stephen Wagner, associate psychology professor and member of the appointment committee.

Though the committee is continuing the search, Scott Smith, a member of the search committee, said the first search was not a failure.

“The search was never failed and never closed,” said Smith, an assistant professor of physical education and sport.

The FaCIT search committee is intent on hiring only the best candidate possible. Smith said the FaCIT director holds a great deal of responsibilities.

“It’s a combination of things,” Smith said. “The job has a variety of roles. We are looking for someone with experience in faculty development.”

Wagner said the biggest quality is stated directly in the positions title.

“One of the primary qualities we are looking for is innovative teaching. We need someone who will bring innovative teaching techniques,” Wagner said.

Jame Terrell, the second of the three candidates’ will hold an open forum 2 p.m. today in the Strosacker Room of the Charles V. Park Library.

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