News, Events, Annual Report

Monday Morning Mentor: New Login Instructions Starting March 2

The Monday Morning Mentor (MMM) online program may have been a familiar companion to starting your week. Starting March 2, access to the MMM Series will be available through the Teaching Professor Digital Library dashboard. You may access the weekly programs by creating an account and registering under their institution's group subscription.  
Instructions for creating account (accessible with VU credentials) 

March 9-15: How Can I Truly Enjoy Teaching Asynchronous Online Classes?
What if connecting with students online felt just as natural—and rewarding—as being together in the classroom? This program with educator Flower Darby shares six research‑informed strategies to cultivate connection in asynchronous courses. Grounded in the PERMA Theory of well‑being, it highlights practice-based ways to humanize your materials and strengthen your online presence. You’ll explore common challenges of asynchronous teaching and learn various approaches to building rapport, inviting meaningful engagement, and helping both you and your students thrive online.

New VITALITY Issue

Respondus Lockdown Browser: Balancing Rigor, Equity, and Learning, February 2026
This issue highlights some considerations to assist faculty members in making informed, intentional choices about using the Respondus LockDown Browser, such as transparency, purpose, legitimate concerns, and course context. 

Materials: 2026 Faculty Forum on Student Learning Assessment 

Assessing Student Presentations, H. Rose and D. Arnold, Communication
Beyond Points: Designing Assessments with Learning in Mind, Kaitlyn Muller and Peter Muller, Mathematics & Statistics

New VITAL Resource: Teaching with Brightspace  

Discover how Brightspace tools might support your teaching goals and enhance your students’ learning experience. Gain familiarity with Brightspace as you engage with pedagogical use cases, sample activities, and instructional practices. Enroll now.

VITALITY - Teaching with Brightspace: Building Classroom Community, October 2025

Consult the Brightspace Training and Support website for resources and to sign up for training sessions. 

VITAL A.I. Series

Series to help faculty navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of A.I. The series highlights recent developments in A.I,. examine its impact on student learning, and provide practical strategies for teaching and course design. Faculty will have opportunities to learn from colleagues, engage in hands-on workshops, and explore ways to thoughtfully approach A.I. in their courses.

Preserving Learning: Faculty Panel on Navigating A.I. - Video Presentations,  10/28/25  
Jim Mendez, Clinical Associate Professor, Nursing, (8:16); Veronika Ryjik, Professor & Chair, Spanish (8:18); Stephen McGill, Assistant Teaching Professor, Mechanical Engineering (7:35); Brian Grant, Assistant Professor, Accountancy (6:27)

VITALITY - Preserving Learning in the Age of AI: Insights from Villanova Faculty, November 2025

Test Proctoring and Testing Accommodations

Consult this recorded session (9/5/24) to learn how to better support your students with test proctoring needs and become familiar with the Villanova Test Centers. Facilitated by Learning Support Services (LSS) and The Office for Access & Disability Services (ADS).

Academic Updates, Office of the Provost

Brightspace and Blackboard Updates, R. Weinstein, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL), 3/11/2026
Summer and Fall 2026 Course Material Adoptions, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 2/16/2026
Spring Semester 2026 Updates. R. Weinstein, VPTL, 01/2026
Course and Teacher Surveys (CATS) Requirements, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 12/2025
Blackboard Bankruptcy, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 10/2025
Spring 2026 Course Material Adoptions, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 10/2025
Spring 2026 Textbook Orders, C. Palus, Senior Vice Provost for Academics (SVPA), 09/2025
FAQs About Immigration and Villanova's Campus, A. Dailey, Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs (AVPFA), 09/2025

Slate Success—Submitting Academic Concerns 

Do you have a student who is struggling in your course? As we approach the midpoint of the semester, faculty are encouraged to use the Student Success portal to report academic concerns (formerly early alerts). Search “Report an Academic Concern for a Student” in MyNova, then submit via My Classes or Student 360. Submissions are shared with the student’s academic advisor to help connect them with the proper support. Please visit our knowledge base article to learn more about how to report your concern. If you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Slate Success Team.

Update on A.I. at Villanova University   

A.I. Task Force Report, May 2025
Guidance on A.I. Use in Your Education, R. Weinstein, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL), 1/10/2025
Teaching with A.I. Selected general and Villanova University resources
VITALITY: Strategies to Consider if You Suspect A.I. Misuse in Your Course 2/2024

Teaching Podcasts

Learning Curve: Aims to “cut through the hype” and take an informed look at how A.I. is impacting education.

Social Learning Amplified: Brings candid conversations with educators who are finding new ways to engage students inside and outside the class. Each episode will give you real-life examples and practical strategies you can put into practice in your own courses. Hosted by Eric Mazur, internationally recognized educational innovator in Social Learning and Peer Instruction.

Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning: Guests share discoveries of “dead ideas”—ideas that are not true but that are often widely believed and embedded in the pedagogical choices we make. Hosted by Catherine Ross, CTL, Columbia University

Faculty Focus Live: Offers research-based teaching tips to boost your creativity and motivation hosted by Magna Publications. Current episode: From concept to practice: Implementing liquid syllabi in higher ed

Intentional Teaching with Derek Bruff: Aimed at faculty to help them develop foundational teaching skills and explore new ideas in teaching.

Tea for Teaching: Series of discussions of innovative and effective practices in teaching and learning. Hosted by State University of New York at Oswego.

Teaching in Higher Ed: Explores the art and science of being more effective at facilitating learning. Hosted by B. Stachowiak, Vangard University, CA.

On Cultivating Student Engagement in Higher Ed: Features faculty and course designers using creative approaches to enhance students' learning experiences and turn engagement "ON".  Hosted by Dr. Kathryn Berkow, University of Delaware.

Villanova Policy Library

The Villanova Policy Library (VPL) assists faculty, staff and students in better understanding the many University policies and procedures. The University Compliance Office continues to feature compliance-related policies. For example, the Academic Integrity Policy sets expectations for honest academic work and provides for equitable administrative procedures to address suspected violations of Villanova’s Code of Academic Integrity. Access VPL through MyNova.