Focused on imaginative, effective teaching and learning, Conversations Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFEs) draw faculty from a range of disciplines to engage in thoughtful dialogue. CAFEs cover a variety of topics across teaching, service, and career path development.
The attention to both professional and personal creates a generative space that focuses on the whole person of our faculty members. We aim to aid faculty in facilitating an education that allows students to address real-world problems and serve not only their community, but also the world as competent, conscientious, and compassionate individuals.
What to Expect
CAFEs are typically occur over lunch (sponsored by Faculty Development) and are hosted by a moderator who chairs a panel of experts from across 91¶ÌÊÓƵ's faculty and staff. Panelists share essential and emerging tools to nurture and challenge students, to innovate on pedagogical praxes, and to support career milestones and administration, among other topics. These micro talks are followed by lively discussion amongst and between the panelists and attendees.
Attend a CAFE
All faculty and staff are welcome to attend CAFEs!
If you plan to attend a CAFE, we appreciate an RSVP to aid our planning process. Please RSVP via the CAFE LiveWhale event page.
Find all Faculty Development events on the .
If you'd like to suggest a future CAFE topic or become a panelist yourself, get in touch: facultydevelopment@scu.edu
Upcoming Events
Stream our recent CAFEs!
Remote & Hybrid Instruction
Are you curious about how faculty members are utilizing technology in their hybrid or virtual environments? Learn more about what tools and resources 91¶ÌÊÓƵ faculty used in their teaching and why they may be adaptable for fully in-person instruction as well!
"" (April 2022)
With Nina Tanti, Senior Lecturer, Modern Languages & Literatures; Linda Burks, Lecturer, Mathematics & Computer Science; Tonya Nilsson, Senior Lecturer, Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering; Jeremy Kemp, Online/Hybrid Learning Specialist
"" (October 2021)
With Missy Donegan, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ English Department
Past CAFEs Arranged by Theme
Technology & AI in the Classroom
AI is not going away. How do we develop strategies to acknowledge, understand, and make use of new tools effectively and ethically to support our scholarly and creative work and our students’ learning?
(April 2025)
With Giorgio Lagna (Biology), Lang Chen (Psychology), and Molly King (Sociology), C.J. Gabbe (Environmental Studies), Chris Bacon (Environmental Studies)
(March 2025)
With Mythri Jegathesan (Anthropology), Maura Tarnoff (English), and Nicole Branch (Dean, University Library)
"(October 2024)
With Wilson Lin (Business), Hussein El Hajj (Business), Meg Gudgeirsson (History), and Juan Montermoso (Business).
(May 2024)
With Eric Haynie (AT), Linsey Krolik (Law), Wilson Lin (Information Systems & Analytics), Haibing Lu (Information Systems & Analytics), and Vincent Zhang (Accounting)
(April 2024)
With Eric Haynie (AT), Sean Yeh (Modern Languages and Literatures), Katia Moles (Engineering), and Meg Gudgeirsson (History)
(February 2024) With Amy Lueck (English), Brian Green (Markulla Center for Applied Ethics), Meg Gudgeirsson (History), and Kat Saxton (Biology and Public Health)
"" (February 2024)
With Matt Gomes, Assistant Professor, English; Eric Haynie, Manager, Instructional Technology; Denise Krane, Lecturer, English & Director, HUB Writing Center, with guest Cynthia Alby
"" (April 2023)
With Melissa Brown (Communications)
Student Engagement in the Classroom
Gain insights into a wide range of strategies for and approaches to effectively cultivating productive, engaged, and welcoming classroom cultures.
"" (May 2025)
With Laura Nichols (Sociology), Maggie Hunter (Sociology), Maya Diaz, and Sydney Nguyen (Sociology)
"" (May 2025)
With Kenna Arana (Teaching Education), Mike Dana (Finance), Dosun Ko (Education and Counseling Psychology), Brian Thomas (Ciocca Center), Sofia Kotsiri (Business)
"" (April 2025)
With Claudia McIsaac (Ignatian Center), Darcy Phillips (Ignatian Center), Karen Runde (Miller Center), Naomi Lebvy (Student Fellowships), Susan Popko (Associate Provost)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
Learn about strategies and practices that support diverse populations at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ with a focus on cultivating belonging in the classroom, understanding differences and diversity, and enhancing engagement between students and faculty.
(January 2025)
With Dawn Hart (BIO), Jes Krusienczi (ENGR), Loring Pfeiffer (ENGL), Natalie Linnell (Math)
(October 2024)
With Giselle Laidac (Psychology), Vanessa Errisuriz (PH), Yacanex Posadas (Business), and Laura Nichols (Sociology)
(March 2024)
With Giselle Laiduc (Psychology), Ezinne Ofoegbu (Education), Tonya Nilsson (Civil Engineering), Won Jung Kim (Education), Laura Doyle (Environmental Engineering)
(February 2024)
With Stephanie Hughes (Environmental Science), Tonya Nilsson (Civil Engineering), Maria Kyrarini (ECE), Matt Gomez (English)
"" (November 2023)
With Mythri Jegathesan, Associate Professor, Anthropology; Emily Park, Lecturer, Bioengineering; Ericka Fur, Learning Specialist, Consultant
"" (May 2023)
With the Global Engagement Office and facilitated by Christelle Sabatier
Additional Resources:
Inclusive Teaching Strategies with Bryan Dewsbury, Ph.D.
Student Wellness & Mental Health
Supporting students' mental health and their sense of wellness is key to their success at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. Learn more about classroom practices that promote a culture of care and enhance student learning and engagement, as well as campus resources.
With Natasha Zubair (Associate Dir for Student Well Being), Claudia McIsaac (ENGL), Catalina Valle(student), Mary Xiang (Basic Needs Student Survey), Brian Nguyen (CAPS)
"" (October 2024)
With Tamsen McGinley, Associate Professor, Mathematics & Computer Science; Esther Sackett, Assistant Professor, Management
CAPS Presentation
Community Engagement & Collaboration
"" (May 2025)
With Melanie Sellar (Library), Rachel Wishkoski (Library Public Services), Jennifer Pesek (Library Public Services), Maria Judnick (English)
(February 2025)
With Paul Abbyad (Chemistry & Biochemistry), Lee Panich (Anthropology), On Shun Pak (Mechanical Engineering)
(February 2025)
With Lisa Whitfield (PSYC), Christelle Sabatier (BIO), Laura Doyle (CENG), Matt Gomes (ENGL)
(February 2025)
With Claudia McIsaac (ENGL), Ray Furata (MUSIC), Long (MGMT), Kristin Kusanovich (Dance)
(November 2024)
With Chad Raphael (Communication), Nicholas Hayes-Mota (Religious Studies), Darcy Phillips (Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education) , Chris Bacon (Environmental Studies and Sciences) & Marlene Bennett (Public Health Sciences and School of Law)
(October 2024)
With James Marik (Student Life OAE), Heather Dumas-Dyer (CAPS), Laura Fujeida (Drahmann), CJ Gabbe (Core), Denise Krane (HUB), Eric Haynie (Academic Technology), and Summer Reid (Title IX)
Faculty Development & Support
"" (April 2025)
With Silvia Figueira (Computer Science), Diana Morlang (Political Science), William Sundstrom (Economics)
(November 2024)
With Sofia Kotsiri (Business), Patti Simone (Psychology), On Shun Pak (Mechanical Engineering), Emily Park (Bioengineering), Eric Haynie (Academic Technology)
(November 2024)
With Andrew Carlos (Outreach & Inclusion), Mellanie Sellar (Learning & Engagement), Eric Tillman (Research), Marie-Ellen Fortini (Director), Sophia Hinojosa (Pre-Award Specialist)
(June 2024)
With Ryan Anderson (Anthropology), Lee Panich (Anthropology), Chris Weber (Physics), Patti Simone (NEUR), Sharmila Lodhia (Women and Gender Studies), Haibing Lu (Information Systems & Analytics)
(May 2024)
With Maggie Hunter (Sociology) and Mythri Jegathesan (Anthropology)
(May 2024)
With C.J. Gabbe (ENVS), Amy Lueck (ENGL), Maggie Hunter (SOCI), Patti Simone (NUER), Justin Boren (COMM), Mythri Jegathesan (ANTH), and Emily Park (BIOENGR)
Assessment & Grading Practices
Wouldn’t it be great if students walked away from each of our courses with a clear sense of how much they learned and pride in the effort they invested in their learning activities? Class assignments are one of the ways we can facilitate this kind of meaningful learning, but we don’t always take advantage of simple techniques that can transform assignments into productive challenges where students can shine!
(February 2025)
With Denise Krane (English), Nydia MacGregor (Business), Diana Morlang (Political Science)
(February 2025)
With Christelle Sabatier (Biology), Matt Gomes (English), Sam Grace (Anthropology)
(February 2024)
With Stephanie Hughes (Environmental Science), Tonya Nilsson (Civil Engineering), Maria Kyrarini (ECE), Matt Gomez (English)
"" (November 2021)
With Barbara O'Brien, Adjunct Lecturer, Psychology; C.J. Gabbe, Associate Professor, Environmental Studies & Sciences; Matt Gomes, Assistant Professor, English; Erin Schwartz, Senior Laboratory Instructor, Biology
Ignatian & 91¶ÌÊÓƵ-Specific Approaches
(October 2024)
With Maria Kyrarini (ECE), Nicholas Lindberg (Classics), Madeline Cronin (Philosophy), Rob Scholla (Religious Studies), and Sofia Kotsiri (Economics).