Continuous improvement in the area of teaching and learning is the vision of the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures (WLLC). Department chair and grant team leader, Carol Anne Costabile-Heming believes mentoring partnerships are an effective way for lecturers to grow professionally in their academic field. The Professional Development Network for World Languages Lecturers provides lecturers opportunities to improve as instructors. By supporting lecturers, this network also helps foster an academic culture which recognizes student learning and scholarly and artistic achievement within the department. The Network consists of 18 lecturers who meet with experts in the field of world language education. Members will create an on-line community to share knowledge, classroom activities and methods of assessment. Although the network is open to all lecturers (regardless of rank), adjunct faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and teaching fellows are also invited to participate in their monthly meetings. Two day-long workshops bring in experts for training in the use of technology in the classroom and the development of performance-based assessments.

Participation in the Network has already provided several team members with useful pedagogical practices as well as instructional resources from peers. Interaction with experts has helped improve teaching skills and inform lecturers about creating pathways to promotion. An indirect outcome has been a greater sense of camaraderie among lecturers as they share experiences, knowledge, and expertise. Ultimately, through mentoring, the network aims to prepare globally engaged citizens who impact the greater North Texas community and beyond

Sponsored by the Provost Office and the Office of Faculty Success, the Mentoring Program awards individual and team grants to full-time faculty members across all ranks. Mentoring offers a vital contribution to a successful academic career. Mentoring grants promote faculty mentoring. Visit Faculty Mentoring Program to learn more about the mentoring grants for this academic year.