Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE)

Upcoming Programs & Events

LATTE Series

Our “Learning and Teaching Techniques Exchange (LATTE)” Zoom series! We’ll start with 20 minutes on the clock to read a short article or watch/listen to video/audio content, and then discuss. These will be repeated but not recorded so plan to come in real time; all are Monday/Tuesday 12 – 1pm on various dates.

LATTE: Active Learning

DATE: Sept 9, 12:00pm or Sep 10, 12:00pm
FORMAT: Online via ZOOM

Active Learning has an absolutely rock-solid research base supporting its effectiveness for learning, and there are infinite ways to do it in your class.

LATTE: Free and respectful speech

DATE: Oct 7, 12:00pm or Oct 8, 12:00pm
FORMAT: Online via ZOOM

Academic freedom comes with academic responsibility. How do we encourage free exploration of ideas without abridging anyone's right to a non-hostile learning environment? The answer lies in "Time, Place, and Manner."

LATTE: Giving useful feedback

DATE: Oct 21, 12:00pm or Oct 22, 12:00pm
FORMAT: Online via ZOOM

The best student feedback the feedback they'll actually pay attention to. How do we make that happen?

LATTE: Motivation at the end of the semester

DATE: Nov 18, 12:00pm or Nov 19, 12:00pm
FORMAT: Online via ZOOM

Everyone's tired at this point in the semester. What does motivation research have to say about when the going is a slog but the end is in sight?

Effective, Efficient, and Enjoyable Teaching

CAFE's Winter Institute 2025

Date: Jan 7-9 and Jan 13-14
Format: In Person
Overview: The goal of CAFE Winter Institute 2025 is to empower faculty with practical pedagogical tools, robust scholarship, and a community of peers to create anti-racist classes that promote equity, justice, and success for all students.

visit the Winter Institute page to register

Faculty Community and Career

Parenting Faculty Lunch

Date: Nov 12, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Location: Centerpointe Dining Hall, room 110
Overview: Discuss Parenting Faculty Leave and Rights per our Collective Bargaining Agreement! Please invite other faculty parents you may know, tenure-line or lecturer. We have space for 30 participants. For questions, contact Julie Shen.

Register for Parenting Faculty Lunch

Everybody's Mentor

Lisa Kessler, CAFE faculty associate and retired interim Dean of Agriculture, provides individual, confidential consultation and coaching.

Email Lisa directly to set up an appointment.

Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities

National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity

CPP has an institutional membership to the premier professional development provider for faculty success. Activate your membership to get extensive resources on scholarship, publishing, and mentoring.

On Your Own Resources

Resources for New Lecturers

CAFE has lots of support for new and returning lecturers

Recommended Reading & Resources

An assortment of useful materials to peruse at your leisure.

Fundamentals of Accessibility

Format: Online via Canvas
Overview: The Fundamentals of Accessibility eCertificate will show you how to get started with incorporating best accessibility practices as an instructor at Cal Poly Pomona; certificate available for completion.

Intro to Teaching with Canvas Course

Format: Online via Canvas
Overview: This course will walk you through the basic steps for using Canvas to offer a good experience for your students.