Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) are small, interdisciplinary groups of faculty members who meet regularly over a semester or year to explore a shared theme, exchange ideas, and support one another in enhancing their teaching, scholarship, and professional growth. FLCs are intentionally limited to a small number of participants to foster trust, meaningful dialogue, and sustained collaboration—our FLCs are limited to 6-10 participants each. Rooted in research on effective faculty development, FLCs provide a supportive environment where members can deepen their knowledge, reflect on their practice, and work collectively toward innovation in teaching, learning, and scholarship.

Why join an FLC? You’ll gain practical strategies, collegial support, and opportunities for scholarly growth—all while contributing to Longwood’s culture of teaching and research excellence.

This fall, CAFE is excited to announce several opportunities for you to engage in an FLC.  We will host more FLCs in Spring 2026.

 

The Survey Latte: From Design to Data

Facilitator: Dr. JoEllen Pederson, Professor of Sociology and CAFE Faculty Consultant

First Meeting: Friday, October 17, from 9:00 to 9:50 am.

Where: 310 Allen Hall, CAFE Lounge

Register: https://forms.gle/ioqoGxrLwcv3iesf9  

This Faculty Learning Community (FLC), focused on survey research design, data collection, and analysis, is a collaborative group of faculty from various disciplines who meet several times a semester to enhance their skills in developing sound survey research methodologies and effectively executing studies.

Our main focus will be:

• Design Studies: Discuss and refine their individual research questions that should be answered using survey research.
• Collect Data: Share practical strategies and tools for efficient and ethical data collection, including instrumentation, recruitment procedures, and data management.
• Analyze Data: Workshop data analysis plans, troubleshoot statistical analysis challenges, and interpret findings effectively for presentation and publication.

The community’s primary goal is to provide structured support to help faculty move their research projects from conception through to a rigorous, well-executed conclusion.

This year-long FLC has a quantitative research focus, providing faculty with a collaborative space to strengthen their skills in data analysis, quantitative research design, and the application of statistical methods across disciplines. Members will share expertise, explore best practices in quantitative methodology, and support one another in developing, conducting, and publishing quantitative research projects. Through workshops and collaborative inquiry, the D²L FLC fosters a culture of evidence-based scholarship and builds faculty capacity to apply rigorous quantitative approaches in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary research. All interested faculty members are welcome to join D²L, which will meet on one Friday each month from 9:00 to 9:50 a.m. throughout the academic year. The initial meeting will be held on Friday, September 26, in the CAFE lounge, 310 Allen Hall, during which the schedule for subsequent meetings will be determined.

 

The Teaching Brew (TTB): A Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) FLC

Facilitator: Dr. Scott Grether, Assoc. Professor of Sociology and CAFE Faculty Consultant

When: Wednesday, October 1, from 4:00-5:00pm

Where: 310 Allen Hall, CAFE Lounge

Register: https://forms.gle/m55f9Buo8ct1SqBC7

This year-long FLC is centered around the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). SoTL is the study of teaching and student learning, grounded in evidence-based inquiry, to improve pedagogical practice. Over the course of this academic year, we will pour-over what SoTL is, how you can develop a SoTL project, or advance an existing SoTL project. Community members will blend their teaching and research experiences to help one another enhance both their pedagogy and scholarly teaching. All interested faculty members are welcome to join TTB. No prior experience or knowledge of SoTL is required. The first meeting will be held in the CAFE lounge, 310 Allen Hall, on Wednesday, October 1, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. During this first meeting, we will decide on a suitable day and time for future meetings.

Teaching and Learning with AI: A Faculty Learning Community

Facilitator:  Dr. Alecia Blackwood, Asst. Professor of Education and CAFE Consultant

When: Friday, October 17 from 11:00 to 12:15 pm

Where: Allen 310 Hybrid–Face to Face or Zoom

Registration: https://forms.gle/akkNabN4zZzPVurp7

This semester-long FLC explores the opportunities and challenges of integrating generative AI into teaching and learning. FLC participants will set their individual pedagogical goals and examine emerging tools, share teaching and learning strategies, and consider the ethical and pedagogical implications of AI use. Participants will develop approaches that promote critical engagement with AI, support student learning, and align with Longwood’s mission of academic excellence and integrity. All faculty—whether curious beginners or experienced users—are welcome to join this FLC.

Teaching and Learning with AI: A Faculty Learning Community

Facilitator:  Jennifer Beach, Associate Dean of the Library

When: Wednesday, Oct 1, from 12:00-1:00 pm, brown bag

Where:  Library 148

Registration: https://forms.gle/zyBZMcEkU5KB1NJo6

This semester-long FLC explores the opportunities and challenges of integrating generative AI into teaching and learning. FLC participants will set their individual pedagogical goals, explore AI literacy, examine emerging tools, share teaching and learning strategies, and consider the ethical and pedagogical implications of AI use. Participants will develop approaches that promote critical engagement with AI, support student learning, and align with Longwood’s mission of academic excellence and integrity. All faculty—whether curious beginners or experienced users—are welcome to join this FLC.