Faculty Discernment Talks-in-Residence
Faculty Discernment Talks-in-Residence
Stories from Faculty on Their Journeys from Undergraduates to Now
How did Notre Dame professors find their passion?
What undergraduate experiences most formed them?
Who helped them make decisions along the way?
Faculty Discernment Talks-in-Residence invite Notre Dame faculty into residence halls to share stories of how they discovered, cultivated, and pursued their intellectual passions. With a particular focus on the discernment of academic paths and making important decisions, the conversations are designed primarily as a mechanism for students to informally engage with faculty and witness a modeled process of discernment.
These talks are ways to initiate formative relationships and communication between undergraduate students and faculty and equip students with the dispositions, knowledge, and skills to confidently explore all of the various opportunities for academic engagement and enrichment at Notre Dame.
By sharing their stories, faculty model and normalize discernment, inspiring students to imagine their own story and engage intentionally with the practices of discernment as they determine their major or goals for their time as undergraduates.
Host a Faculty Discernment Talk in your Residence Hall
In partnership with the Center for University Advising, residence hall leaders (including rectors, academic commissioners, or other student leaders) are encouraged to follow the steps below to host a Faculty Discernment Talk-in-Residence.
Step One: Invite a Faculty Member
The faculty listed below are eager to visit your residence hall community and speak candidly about their journeys from undergraduates to now. Identify one or several faculty members you'd like to invite to speak and email them with an introduction and a few potential dates and times for this Faculty Discernment Talk-in-Residence. Typically, large gathering spaces within the residence hall work best as a venue for this kind of talk.
Step Two: Share your scheduled Faculty Talk with Advising
Once you and a faculty member have agreed upon a specific date and time, complete the Faculty Discernment Talk-in-Residence confirmation form. The CUA is more than happy to help advertise your event broadly across the university, highlighting your residence hall community's engagement with faculty and students. Additionally, a student member of the CUA Media Team will attend your Faculty Talk to capture quotes, images, and video. These assets will be shared across the university community, normalizing the process of discernment and showcasing your hall community's efforts to equip and serve your residents.
Complete the Faculty Discernment Talk-in-Residence Confirmation Form
Step Three: Share your scheduled Faculty Talk with your residents (and more!)
Use your residence hall community's communication outlets to invite residents to join. All residents are encouraged to attend, regardless of class year or academic discipline. You may also wish to utilize this event to strengthen your relationships with other hall communities and "co-host" the Faculty Discernment Talk-in-Residence alongside a brother or sister residence hall.
