In a new program supporting first-year student academic success, the Center for Learning is launching the Peer Academic Coach (PAC) program. Focused on residential and commuter students, PACs will help create positive, inclusive academic communities, promote study skills and strategies, and guide students to campus resources. CFL needs staff and faculty to recommend students who they think would make excellent peer academic coaches. They would like to interview a diverse group of rising sophomores to seniors who are developing strong academic and interpersonal skills. The job descriptions for the four positions can be found online.

Please send recommendations to cfl@spu.edu, and they will tell the student(s) who made the recommendation. The deadline for applications is April 12, 2021.

You’re invited! Join us online on Wednesday, April 7, for SPU's third annual Giving Day — a 24-hour fundraising event to raise support for the SPU causes you love. You can make a difference on campus and beyond with your generosity!

Looking for more ways to get involved? Gear up for Giving Day by sharing a photo on Instagram or Twitter in your best SPU swag, and make sure to tag #SPUfalconsgive for your chance to win prizes! (Facebook users can follow the SPU Facebook page for information on how to enter).

More than 6,000 SPU parents and family members recently received the March 2021 In the Loop e-newsletter, which included information about in-person instruction for Autumn Quarter 2021, the What’s Happening on Campus video, FAFSA information, and a link to the 2021–21 tuition and fees.

Ready to be rid of the hassle of printing, sending around, and scanning documents to get them signed? Want to manage and track the collection of signatures for documents electronically in one place? Adobe Sign can help! RSVP here for a Teams meeting link to Computer and Information Systems online training for electronic signatures via Adobe Sign on Wednesday, March 24, 10–10:45 a.m., or Thursday, March 25, 1–1:45 p.m. Contact CISTrainings@spu.edu with any questions, and find more information on the CIS Training Program.

All faculty and staff who come to campus must complete an online self-screening to attest that they meet certain criteria for being on campus (e.g., not exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms). SPU has developed a campuswide tool through Banner (login into Banner and select Personal Menu) to report a daily COVID-19 self-attestation for faculty and staff working on campus (including Camp Casey and Blakely Island). A link to the self-attestation form is also available on the Stay Smart website, which is now highlighted in the top banner on the SPU homepage.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published weekly during the academic year. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, March 29, and the deadline is Thursday, March 25. If you have information or event news, send it as soon as possible with an image or graphic to Bulletin editor Tracy Norlen at fsb-editor@spu.edu. Submissions may be edited for clarity.

In recognition of her service to the SPU community, Rachel Johanson, academic publications coordinator in Student Academic Services, was nominated by her peers and selected by Staff Council as the March Staff Member of the Month. Congratulations and thank you, Rachel! Learn more about Rachel and nominate a colleague for recognition on the Staff Council website.

A message from Staff Council: Do you have a colleague who lives out their Christian faith and encourages a grace-filled community at SPU? Do they demonstrate competence, skill, and initiative in their role while modeling service and leadership? Nominations for the Oral V. Hemry Non-Exempt and Exempt Staff Member of the Year awards are now open until Tuesday, March 23. Nominate your colleagues today!

Robin Henrikson, assistant professor of education and director of assessment, had her article, “Reflections on School Board Evaluation Practices to Support Meaningful Feedback for Superintendent Growth and Improvement,” published in the Journal of Research on Leadership Education.

Krystle Jalalian-Chursky, assistant professor of special education, gave a presentation at the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Virtual Live conference on March 11. Her presentation was titled “Family Experiences and Language Choices in Bilingual Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).”

Alberto Ferreiro, professor of European history, gave the lecture “Popular Devotions” to the group of the Rite for the Christian Initiation of Adults, on March 14 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Bothell. The talk discussed the historical, biblical, and theological foundations of pilgrimages, relics, the rosary, Marian devotions, novenas, candles, ashes, and incense in the liturgy, Lectio Divina, and more. It was the fourth of five talks.

Dr. Suzanne Bond, former associate professor of educational leadership, passed away on March 3. Suzanne served as superintendent of the Coupeville School District before coming to SPU in 2002. She retired from SPU in 2008 and remained active in the Coupeville community.

School of Education Dean Nyaradzo Mvududu remembers her as a "joyful person, fully invested in the success of our students." SOE Professor John Bond says "Susanne was one of my professors when I was in the superintendent certification program. She was an outstanding professor. We overlapped briefly when I started at SPU." 

Her obituary was published in the Whidbey News-Times. An online celebration of Suzanne's life will be Sunday, March 28, at 1 p.m. Attendees can register online.

From Ruth Adams, associate vice president for student success: Congratulations to the men’s basketball coaching staff — Grant Leep, Kegan Bone, Keffrey Fazio, Kevin Johnson, and George Parker — for a fantastic, albeit unusual, season. It was great to read the highlights and see pictures. Looking forward to next season and a return to the stands in person!”