Save the date for the TLPDC's next AI Mini Conference on Tuesday, August 19th! This “back to school” event will help instructors prepare for the fall semester and provide tangible strategies for teaching in a world of AI overload. This opportunity is for those with any level of exposure to AI tools. Whether you have little experience or you’ve already integrated AI into your course, we hope to provide strategies, resources, and support to instructors on all points of the spectrum of AI learning.

Details about sessions and speakers are forthcoming, but registration is open now.  Stay tuned for updates on the conference webpage during the summer for the full agenda. While this event is designed to be face-to-face, we understand that many faculty are working outside of Lubbock. Please reach out to the TLPDC if you need to join remotely.

Register today!

(posted 8/11)

The Teaching Mentoring Through Peer Observation (TeMPO) program is now accepting applications for the fall 2025 cohort! The purpose of the TeMPO Program is to facilitate interdisciplinary relationships among faculty to discuss teaching and create a culture that will help foster the participation of all departments in more consistent and high-quality peer observation and review. TeMPO is co-sponsored by the Texas Tech Teaching Academy and the Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development Center.

TeMPO participants are paired with other faculty members across disciplines, and engage in reciprocal observations of one another’s teaching during the course of the Fall semester. The entire TeMPO cohort meets several times during the semester to share experiences and reflections, and participants receive a $500 stipend for their active participation.

Apply now!

Program Requirements

TeMPO Participants will engage in the following:

• Opening their classroom (this might be a face-to-face class or an online class) so TeMPO partners may observe their teaching two times during the Fall;
• Conduct at least 3 observations of their TeMPO group members during the semester of participation;
• Meet with their TeMPO group members multiple times throughout the semester to share observations and discuss feedback;
• Attend TeMPO Program meetings;
• Attend at least 3 TLPDC events during the semester, including one required session on the feedback process.

Learn more

For questions, please email Shane Blum & Mitzi Ziegner.

We are now accepting applications for the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). The 8-Week Course will begin on Tuesday, September 30th and will be led by Dr. Angela Mariani from TTU School of Music. The Fall 2025 iteration of the MBSR program is for New Faculty only, while applications for Spring will be open to all! Since each week builds upon the previous, attendance at all of the sessions is essential to developing the skills and gaining the benefits of the program. Applications will be accepted in order of submission for up to 25 participants with emphasis on a variety of disciplinary backgrounds.

Apply Now

The 8-week course is a progressive series of 2-hour sessions, plus a dedicated all-day retreat in the middle of the course, guided by a trained instructor and supplemented by daily home practice exercises. The daily home practice is a fundamental part of the curriculum. Class time will also include opportunities to converse with your cohort members, share your experiences, insights, and challenges in a supportive environment. Since each week builds upon the previous, attendance at all of the sessions is essential to developing the skills and gaining the benefits of the program. Applications will be accepted in order of submission for up to 25 participants with emphasis on a variety of disciplinary backgrounds.

It should be noted that while meditation and similar contemplative practices are present in a number of different faith traditions, MBSR is presented as a completely secular practice.

Review the course schedule and learn more now! For questions, please contact Dr. Angela Mariani.

(posted 8/11)

The Institute of Faculty Excellence is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 cohort! The core mission of the IFE is to foster ongoing career and leadership development, including and beyond the tenure, continuing appointment, and promotion processes. Applications are due Monday, September 15.

Two New Paths

PATH I: Conscious & Compassionate Leadership - This path is for faculty looking to deepen their leadership skills—whether in the classroom, in administration, or in broader academic life—by focusing on self-connection, caring communication, and the art of navigating difficult conversations. Fellows on this path will engage deeply with Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication (NVC) framework, examining the linguistic habits shaped by academic culture. This journey invites you to lead with authenticity and compassion in an era of increasing disconnection. 

PATH II: Revive and Thrive After Tenure or Continuing Appointment - Designed for post-tenure or continuing appointment faculty asking, “What’s next?”—this path supports those seeking renewed energy, reconnection with, or reframing of, their academic identity, or healing from burnout. Through personalized academic coaching, reflective practices, and peer exchange, this path helps participants reconnect with their passion for teaching, research, and service—or envision new directions, including transitions toward retirement.

ALREADY A GRADUATE OF THE IFE? Continue your journey as a Community Fellow.

Eligibility

1. Full-time Faculty at any rank who have completed a successful 3rd-year review or new full-time faculty who have previously achieved tenure or continuing appointment at another institution.
2. A genuine interest in pursuing faculty excellence as supported by the IFE, and 
3. A willingness to commit to the time requirements of the IFE.

Timeline: Late September 2025 - April 2026

Time Commitment: 12-14 hours of programmed content: 6-7 hours per semester offered through a mix of 5 required workshops per term (4 mandatory and 1 elective) plus one academic coaching session, about half of which is selected by the participant from a list of relevant sessions based on individual interest, and a minimum of one deliverable in the participant’s area of choice, teaching, research, or service (i.e., a revised class assignment, a co-authored journal article, or a graduate student handbook for a unit). Deliverables will be submitted to the Director of IFE for feedback.

Point-of-Duty: Participation will mirror each faculty member’s official point-of-duty. For example, a remote faculty member may participate by attending the online live streams of relevant sessions. Sessions will not be recorded; therefore, remote faculty must attend the sessions during the scheduled times. Although sessions will be live streamed, the content is not specifically designed for online learning. Remote faculty members will have participation facilitated by a dedicated assistant moderating the chat and audio features. On-campus faculty members are expected to attend sessions in person.

Stipend: $1500

Participant Application

Community Fellow Application

(posted 4/3)

The TTU Office of Faculty Success is excited to open the 2025-2026 Faculty Mentorship Academy (FMA) mentee cohort application process. FMA's mission is to help faculty empower each other to achieve their personal and professional goals.

This nine-month program matches mentees with mentors in Mentorship Circles to create a community of support and guidance on topics such as research, creative activity, professional practice, service, teaching, and well-being. This program is open to those with faculty appointments in all ranks and positions, such as lecturers, professors of practice, and tenure-track faculty. Chair/Director/Area Coordinator approval is required.

Learn more and apply now

Application Due Date: Monday, September 15, 2025

Please have your Chair/Director/Area Coordinator submit their recommendation no later than Tuesday, September 16th, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.

If you have questions, please contact FMA Program Director, Barbie Chambers, at barbie.chambers@ttu.edu or 806.834.1530.

American Association of University Professors (AAUP)  started in 1915, was instrumental in establishing main principles of shared governance in academia, still in place today. 

Texas Tech University Chapter was established in December of 2021 to serve ALL of its faculty involved in teaching and research- tenure-track, non-tenure track, full-time and part-time, as well as graduate TAs.  

As academic freedom is increasingly under attack on campuses throughout our country,  we work hard on behalf of our faculty to protect their freedom to speak up and to choose what to teach. 

Join your colleagues at Texas Tech University in speaking out and defending what's important to YOU.