Greetings, fellow AUPHA members.
As I write this blog, my institution is gearing up for the beginning of the fall semester. I think it is ironically referred to as fall, despite beginning in the “dog days of summer” in (very hot) Alabama, where I live. But, clearly, we are gearing for autumn if you have noticed the Halloween décor already stocked on store shelves. It’s just a matter of time before the pumpkin-spiced latte’s annual appearance (like it or not). Nevertheless, the energy level is increasing as our faculty arrive on campus after spending most of their summers engaged in research or other ventures. New faculty members are moving into their offices and navigating their new environment while students are busily moving back into their dorms or apartments. It’s an exciting time – full of promise as well as apprehension.
I want to remind our members, especially our program directors, that your AUPHA institutional membership includes benefits for all members of your program’s faculty and staff, including your part-time faculty. If you are the primary contact for your AUPHA membership, make sure you add each of your faculty members, adjuncts, and staff to your list of organizational contacts so that they can access the resources and offerings available through AUPHA. If you are unsure how to do that, contact Chris Sanyer, Director of Membership, for assistance. When new members are added, they receive a welcome message from AUPHA and instructions on completing their individual profiles and accessing resources.
As you prep your classes or engage in academic program evaluation, please take advantage of the wealth of information and resources available through the AUPHA Network. The resources available through the AUPHA Network have been invaluable to me as a teacher and program director over the years. I highly recommend the Body of Knowledge (BOK), which was revised in 2022-2023, and its accompanying Curriculum Guidance. The BOK can be viewed or downloaded from the Libraries section of the AUPHA Network. By the way, we are undertaking a thorough review of the BOK to ensure it remains current and relevant. If you utilize the BOK and receive a request for feedback from AUPHA, please take time to complete the survey!
The Faculty Forums are also an excellent resource for sharing innovative teaching and administration ideas and practices in general and in targeted specialties (e.g., finance, health information management, etc.). I thank the many contributors who generously and frequently engage with fellow members through the Forums. If you aren’t already a member of a community, then please check out the many available offerings and join one or more so you can engage with others with similar interests and experiences.
Don’t miss the upcoming Leadership Academy and Art of Teaching Institute offerings. We have online and in-person course offerings this fall. We now offer a Certificate in Teaching in Healthcare Management if you are unaware of this. You have three years to complete the certificate, which entails 15-credit hours of coursework and must include at least one 6-credit course and the Inclusive Excellence and Belonging: Creating and Sustaining an Environment in Which All Learners Thrive course. Discounts are offered to groups of faculty from the same member institution who enroll in a course together.
Fall is always a busy time of year. But make sure you take the time to invest in yourself – as they say, put on your oxygen mask first before helping those around you.
Best wishes for a productive fall semester!