Contributions to the Life of the University

As the Faculty Handbook notes, “Faculty members are an integral part of the University through their commitment to the institution and its mission, their presence and involvement, and their responsibility for the life of the university. Contributions to the life of the University at the Assistant Teaching Professor and Assistant Professor ranks typically begin with service on the program and departmental levels that progress to service on the college/school and university levels with experience.”

The Handbook further indicates, “Faculty must contribute meaningful, high-quality accomplishments in both service and professional activity, although an individual’s accomplishments may be stronger in one area than the other. Levels of activity may vary over the course of a faculty member’s career, relative to reassigned time, funding, and other opportunities and responsibilities.”

To enable meaningful service, faculty members can make strategic choices to align their contributions to the life of the university with their teaching expertise and professional activity, as illustrated on the sample pathways pages. As faculty seek service opportunities in their departments, colleges, and across the university, they also can consider how their teacher-scholar-mentor identity and experience or individual interests and strengths could contribute to specific committees’ work.

University-wide committees of the faculty are listed in the faculty handbook. Use the searchable list below to identify additional ways to contribute to the life of the university.

Opportunities and Resources

Use the drop-down filter to select opportunities specific to your career stage.Use the search bar to narrow by:

  • time commitment (sample search terms: one-time, multi-day, one-year, multi-year, self-paced),
  • monetary or time support offered (sample search terms: reassigned time, stipend, travel funding, project or research activity funding), and
  • strategic initiatives (sample search terms: scholarship of teaching and learning; Elon Experiences; diversity, equity, and inclusion; mentoring; writing; data competency; scholarship and creative activity).
Filter by:
  • Academic CouncilAcademic Council is the coordinating committee of the faculty and deliberates on any matter within the province of the faculty for the purpose of formulating general policy for approval or disapproval of the faculty.
  • Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) Scholar (opens in a new window)During a two-year appointment, Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) Scholars develop expertise in a specific aspect of engaged learning and create resources on that topic to be shared through CEL’s web site and in other scholarly venues. The CEL Scholar position is an opportunity for an Elon faculty member to launch and deepen a professional development trajectory that includes scholarly activity on a high-impact practice or other engaged learning topic.
  • Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society ScholarDuring a two-year appointment, the CSRCS Scholar undertakes activities and initiatives that promote their own professional development and support the work and mission of the CSRCS. The CSRCS Scholar undertakes Center work that extends its productivity, accessibility, and impact and to motivate, organize, and sustain scholarly collaborations across campus. Applicants propose professional and scholarly activity conducted under the auspices and with the support of the CSRCS that achieve shared objectives to promote interdisciplinary research and intercultural learning related to religion, culture, secularity, worldview, lifeways, and/or associated themes.
  • Community-Based Learning Faculty FellowThe CBL Faculty Fellow role is a four-year position focused on faculty development in the areas of community-based learning and community engagement. The Faculty Fellow works closely with the staff of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life; co-chairs the CBL Advisory Committee; serves on the EEAC, Kernodle Center Advisory Committee, and the Council on Civic Engagement; and provides mentorship and guidance to several faculty development programs.
  • Data Nexus ScholarThe Data Nexus Scholars Program is intended to provide teaching faculty the opportunity to undertake activities and initiatives that focus on data competency, and support to the campus-wide Data Competency QEP initiative. The three overarching themes of the Data Competency QEP include (1) campus-wise computer and technology proficiency, (2) campus-wide foundational statistical proficiency, and (3) advanced data competency. Data Nexus Scholars will be expected to partake in work that deepens and extends the capacity and impact of Data Nexus.
  • Design Thinking Consultations and WorkshopsWould you like help with project design, strategic planning, or team collaboration? We offer consultations and customized workshops to fit your unique needs. Simply reach out to request a consultation at our website.
  • Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) modules and Community of Practice sessions (CoP)The Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) modules are online professional development resources for all Elon University faculty and staff to explore concepts and strategies that build the necessary skills to actively contribute to an Inclusive Excellence work and learning culture. DIB Debriefs and Community of Practice sessions are facilitated conversations for deeper exploration of content and opportunity to create developmental action items based on the exposure and learning from these modules in the DIB Suite.
  • Elon 1010: The First-Year Advising Seminar Instructor/AdvisorElon 1010 is taught by a talented cadre of full-time teaching faculty and staff who have a special interest in advising and teaching first-year students. Elon 1010 instructors serve as advisors to 15-17 first-year students enrolled in a section of Elon 1010 and assist first-year students with transitioning to the University. Recruitment for new instructors/advisors begins in February of each academic year. All interested faculty and staff must complete the Elon 1010 New Instructor/Advisor Interest Form linked on our website.
  • I-Excel Mini-GrantThe Office of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development’s I-Excel Mini-Grant is designed to support faculty and staff members at Elon University in enhancing their self-awareness and critical consciousness in matters of diversity, equity and inclusion. Small grants up to $500 are awarded to empower employees to actively engage in inclusive excellence education and development activities addressing their personal journey to foster a more inclusive campus environment.
  • The Intercultural Development and Education to Action (IDEA) InstituteA year-long program enabling faculty and staff to deepen intercultural learning and development to expand critical consciousness in their current work. Participants will complete the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI©), create a personalized development plan, and engage in development sessions and experiential learning activities to advance their intercultural learning, competencies and practices.
  • Ways to Serve: Contributions to the Life of the UniversityAcademic Council offers informaton on university standing committees, university-wide advisory committees, and special/ad hoc committees. Explore the subpages for a list of current committees.
  • Writing Across the University Elon Alumni Writers GrantDesigned to encourage conversations about writing among students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Elon University. Grants provide $300 to invite alumni to campus, so they can share their experiences with writing in their professional lives after graduation. Grant funding may be used as a stipend for 1, 2, or 3 alumni who speak via zoom, and/or to help defray the costs of hosting a speaker on campus.