Mercy Mondays: Congratulations to participating faculty in the Mercy Faculty Forum
This past 2020-21 academic year, the McAuley Institute for Mercy Education convened the first cohort of the Mercy Faculty Forum. The Mercy Faculty Forum is a four-part mission integration series for new faculty to engage with readings and resources from the Mercy, Catholic tradition and reflect together on their vocations as teaching-scholars in the landscape of Mercy Higher Education.
In a survey of the first cohort, 100% of responders strongly agreed that they made significant gains in connection with Salve Regina’s Mercy Catholic mission, the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, and the heritage and tradition of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy. One hundred percent of responders strongly agreed or agreed that the Mercy Faculty Forum developed their understanding of their own vocation as a teaching-scholar in the Mercy tradition.
The impact of the forum has been cited as follows by participating faculty anonymously:
“The Mercy Faculty Forum gave me a greater understanding of Salve’s Mercy Mission and my role.”
“It was more than learning about the Mercy tradition of Salve; I also felt that we were taken care of during this pandemic!”
“My experience in the Mercy Faculty Forum has helped me identify ways to shape my teaching practice. Here is one: I see my teaching more as deed of service to my students.”
“I have been thinking a lot about what mercy looks like in a college classroom. I am planning to spend time this summer reflecting on this and making changes to my classes that will help to facilitate this.”
Eight new full-time faculty joined the Salve Regina community this past academic year and participated in the inaugural cohort of the Mercy Faculty Forum. They are listed as following: Regina Dublin, lecturer in the nursing program; Dr. Emma Grauerholz-Fisher, assistant professor of psychology; Dr. Paul Joyce, assistant professor and chairman of administration of justice; Dr. Hyoyuen Jun, assistant professor in English and communication; Dr. Sharon Keating, assistant professor in the nursing program; Dr. Carlos Paniagua, assistant professor in mathematical studies; Dr. Gabriella Papale, assistant professor in chemistry; and Dr. Heather M. Rockwell, assistant professor in cultural and historic preservation.
The forum is facilitated by Dr. Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley, vice president for mission integration, with the collaboration of senior faculty and administrators — including Dr. Tony LoPresti, assistant professor of religious and theological Studies, and Dr. Seven Rodenborn, dean of undergraduate studies.
If anyone would like to learn more about the Mercy Faculty Forum, visit this website or email mcauleyinstitute@salve.edu.
