Integrative Learning for Faculty & Teaching Staff

Faculty and staff are central to the success of Integrative Learning at Smith. You could explore formal programs as well as informal opportunities, including: curricular development funds, staff support for class projects, access to spaces and facilities, support for guest lecturers or panel discussion, and off-campus connections. 

In collaboration with faculty, many centers and collections support concentrations. Some faculty work with centers and collections in support of their own research, or involve students in their research through departmental, divisional, or college programs. For more information or to discuss ideas, reach out to the Associate Dean for Integrative Learning.

Working with Centers & Initiatives

Centers and initiatives primarily offer programming for students to link their academics to real-world applications. There are different ways in which faculty guide this work or receive support for their own research and teaching. Faculty can opt to serve on advisory committees, offer guest lectures in connection with programming, or apply for curricular enhancement grants to expand teaching and research in alignment with a particular center’s mission and priorities. 

While every center approaches faculty support differently, their direction evolves in collaboration with faculty, and all are open to experimentation and creative engagement. If you have an idea or wish to explore points of connection not outlined below, reach out to center directors to discuss opportunities for collaboration or support. See Centers and Initiatives.

Recent Examples

The Center for the Environment, Ecological Design, & Sustainability (CEEDS) facilitates applied experiences through support for faculty research on environmental and sustainability themes. CEEDS offers Curricular Enhancement Grants (up to $2,000), and Faculty Research Fellowships (summer support, summer student worker, and research grant).

In Practice

Luca Capogna, professor of mathematics, worked on a CEEDS-funded project with Abi Bowering ’24 to use artificial intelligence to inform Smith’s geothermal project.

“Everybody buys into the mission of not only helping our students, but also increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in the mathematical sciences, at Smith as well in the society at large. So, we are all working together towards a common goal, which makes you happier to go to work every day,“ said Capogna.

View current opportunities.

Design Thinking Initiative invites you to bring making into your classroom. Consider applying for a Curricular Enhancement Grant (up to $1,250), invite staff to offer guest lectures, or bring your class to the makerspace located in Capen Annex.

In Practice

Jessica Gersony, assistant professor of biological sciences, welcomed guests from the Nipmuc people for an open-to-the-public session of BIO 368/9. The speakers and students explored connections between plants, climate change, and art with a focus on cultural and land stewardship along with aboriginal rights.

View current opportunities.

The Jandon Center can help with course development and support to integrate community-based learning and projects. Staff can offer in-class presentations and workshops. Funds are available for lectures and symposiums with topics related to women, gender, and sexuality.

In Practice

Anaiis Cisco, assistant professor of film and media studies, received funding for a two-day workshop Sisters in Praxis: Summer Workshop 2024. Filmmakers of the New Negress Film Society, film festival organizers, and scholars engaged and showcased new film works by Black women on the margins of mainstream Black cinema.

View current opportunities.

The Wurtele Center for Leadership has curated a robust selection of leadership resources for faculty who want to better facilitate collaboration amongst students in your classes. Additionally, staff are available to support your team or group projects in a variety of ways.

In Practice

Shiya Cao, Mass Mutual Assistant Professor of Statistical and Data Sciences, partnered with Megan Lyster, assistant director of the Wurtele Center, to support students in SDS 410 Capstone in Statistical and Data Sciences on effectively building team and navigating group dynamics.

View current opportunities.

Working with Concentrations

The concentrations are each structured with a faculty and/or staff director and an advisory board. Many concentrations are supported by centers, initiatives, and collections. There are opportunities to join advisory boards, highlight or develop curricular connections between your courses and one or more concentrations, or guide your advisees to relevant concentrations. Reach out to individual directors with any questions or ideas for collaboration.

A student reading a poem at a podium

Supporting Undergraduate Research

There are many ways to involve students in your research, or to support students in their development of research skills and their own research interests.

  • Cohort programs such as STRIDE, AEMES, and Mellon Mays offer faculty opportunities to mentor individual students or cohorts. Students working with faculty on research during the academic year can get credit through special studies. Some departments incorporate research within the curriculum, either as full courses or modules. 
  • Faculty leading or participating in projects at the Kahn Institute work alongside students and other faculty on themed interdisciplinary research projects. 
  • In the sciences, many faculty participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program, depending upon their research interests and availability. 
  • The humanities and social sciences have experimented with lab-based research models, including the recent Humanities and Humanistic Social Science Lab (HSS). 
  • Faculty from across divisions can also apply for CFCD funding for students to support their own research. 

Contact Integrative Learning

Fraser Stables
Associate Dean for Integrative Learning
Professor of Art
Hillyer Hall 207C