Engaging faculty to develop their teaching, discovery, service, leadership and advancement at every career stage.
The career of a faculty member evolves. Whether teaching in the classroom, clinic or online, conducting bench, clinical or educational research, the Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development (OFAFD) is here to help faculty cultivate their skills across every facet of professional life. Our programs and initiatives include development opportunities in teaching, research, professionalism and wellness, with individualized support available to all School of Medicine faculty.
All programming, events and curricula center around five domains, each of which is grounded in action-focused competencies that align with career progression within a focus of work.
Learn more about our domains and upcoming professional development activities within each one that will help move faculty toward excellence.
The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development offers a range of workshops and seminars that have significantly contributed to my growth in both soft skills and organizational abilities. Among the various workshops I've participated in, I've found the strengths assessment and leadership development sessions to be particularly valuable.
A more recent workshop I attended, titled "Goal Setting and Habit Formation Strategies for Faculty," was surprisingly beneficial. This session equipped me with a concrete, written plan for establishing a daily writing habit, and I emerged from it feeling empowered and motivated.
Geetanjali Bendale
Ph.D., Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Programs
The OFAFD offers multi-part career development programs, which involve both in-person and virtual sessions, throughout the academic year. These opportunities allow faculty to focus on specific areas of growth, reflect on strengths and goals and connect with colleagues across the School of Medicine. New and innovative programs are in the works, so be sure to refer back to this page often.
The Advanced Research Mentoring (ARM) training program is based on curricula from the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER). VCU faculty, many of whom lead their own research groups, will facilitate these sessions as CIMER trained facilitators. These sessions provide evidence-based practices and techniques for research faculty to grow and hone their mentoring. Our program has two levels, with faculty able to earn credentials for successful completion of each level.
ARM Level 1
By the end of this two-hour session, faculty will be able to:
- Communicate effectively with trainees utilizing active empathetic listening and awareness of backgrounds and communication styles
- Determine appropriate and achievable expectations for trainees based on their experience and career goals
- Understand the importance of and be able to generate a mentor/mentee compact
ARM Level 2
Offered beginning in spring, this level features a cohort-based model. Faculty who have completed level 1 can enroll in a level 2 cohort, committing to attending six hours of additional training based in the CIMER curriculum.
In this four-month series, faculty will attend a required half-day bootcamp, during which they will delve into assessing personal values and strengths and examining the role these have played in their career.
Following the bootcamp, participants can choose up to four additional hour-long virtual workshops to explore a particular area more deeply. At the conclusion of the series, participants will have the knowledge and tools necessary to apply strengths-based and values-based approaches to their work.
External programs
Facilitated by the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, this 10-month program for emerging VCU leaders allows participants to examine their strengths and challenges, meet with a mentor and engage in team projects that benefit the university.
Facilitated by the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, this five-month program is designed to benefit women at all stages of their career. Participants engage in personal and professional growth, coaching and networking through experiential workshops.
Learn more about the Higher Ground Women's Leadership Development Program
Established in 1995, The Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women is the nation's only in-depth program focused on preparing senior women faculty at schools of medicine, dentistry and public health to move into positions of institutional leadership where they can effect positive change.
ELAM's year-long program develops the professional and personal skills required to lead and manage successfully in today's complex healthcare environment, with special attention to the unique challenges facing women in leadership positions.
VCU School of Medicine has sponsored 14 ELAM fellows.
The Harvard Macy Institute, at Harvard Medical School, offers a series of professional development courses for academic medicine faculty each year. Topics include transforming your teaching using technology, a systems approach to assessment in health professions and leading innovations in health care and education.
The Stanford Center for Health Education offers online, self-paced professional health education courses for faculty members.
Graduate Certificate in Medical Education
A joint collaboration with the VCU School of Education, this 12-credit graduate certificate is designed for faculty who are teaching in the health care professions. Four courses are required to receive the certificate, with topics including curriculum design, theory and practice of adult learning, instructional strategies and teaching as scholarship. Admission is rolling each semester.
Graduates of this certificate program may also join the health science education cohort if they choose to pursue the M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership.
One-on-one Consultations
The faculty development team is available for one-on-one teaching and research consultations focusing on ideation through evaluation. From writing learning objectives and integrating teaching innovations to applying for grants, and preparing for promotion and tenure, the team is available to provide flexible, professional and personal support as needed.
Contact Jean Bailey, Kenneth Warren Foster, or Stacey Wahl for a Zoom or in-office meeting.
Events
Our Team
Jean Bailey, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Jean Bailey, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Office of Faculty Affairs
Phone: 804-828-3134
Fax: 804-828-4048
Email: jean.bailey@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
MMEC, Room 4-203
Kenneth Warren Foster, Ed.D.
Senior Instructional Technologist
Kenneth Warren Foster, Ed.D.
Senior Instructional Technologist
Office of Faculty Affairs
Phone: 804-828-3848
Fax: 804-828-4048
Email: kenneth.warren@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
MMEC, Room 7-306A
Stacey Wahl, Ph.D.
Senior Instructional Designer
Stacey Wahl, Ph.D.
Senior Instructional Designer
Office of Faculty Affairs
Phone: 804-828-9823
Email: stacey.wahl@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
1201 E Marshall St
Room 8-306B
Jody Hedstrom, B.A.
Faculty Affairs and Development Coordinator
Jody Hedstrom, B.A.
Faculty Affairs and Development Coordinator
Office of Faculty Affairs
Phone: 804-828-6591
Fax: 804-828-4048
Email: jody.hedstrom@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
MMEC, Room 8-306
Kathleen O’Kane Kreutzer, M.Ed.
Director, Special Projects
Andrea "Andi" Cassel, B.A.
Portfolio Assistant
Andrea "Andi" Cassel, B.A.
Portfolio Assistant
Office of Faculty Affairs
Phone: 804-628-2353
Fax: 804-628-9978
Email: andrea.cassel@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
MMEC, Room 4-202
Brian Cassel, Ph.D.
Medical Education Faculty Fellow (MEFF)
Brian Cassel, Ph.D.
Medical Education Faculty Fellow (MEFF)
Office of Faculty Affairs
Email: brian.cassel@vcuhealth.org