Daily Brief

Speaker: Writing Assignments in the Age of AI

Dr. Scott Warnock of Drexel University will lead a workshop 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, 103 Academic Forum, "Writing Pedagogy and the Challenges of AI: Built for This Moment?"
With the pervasive use of AI apps and tools, instructors in all fields and at all levels have voiced frustration and sometimes despondency about the challenges of having students create authentic, meaningful coursework. In this workshop, we will examine how long-standing strategies fundamental to good writing instruction can be used across the disciplines to help us develop and encourage such authentic thinking and learning with our students. We will discuss emphasizing process-oriented assignments and lessons; using peer review and collaboration with those assignments; incorporating informal/low-stakes writing, regardless of discipline, including metawriting and reflection; and utilizing digital tools in constructive, learning-centered ways. Well-established practices of the writing instructional classroom are, perhaps surprisingly, well equipped to help all teachers avoid falling into a policing role in this fast-changing new learning environment. Faculty across disciplines are invited.

Laurie McMillan, CLAS Dean's Office

KU Painting Students Explore NYC's Contemporary Art World

Kutztown University’s painting program recently celebrated its fourth successful NYC experiential learning trip, bringing students directly into the heart of New York City’s contemporary art world. Professors Mike Shultis and Mike Covello, and Director of University Galleries, Karen Stanford, organized this initiative.  This event connects students with leading artists, galleries and professional practices beyond the classroom. Students explored an extraordinary lineup of exhibitions in Chelsea, including Rebecca Ness at Morgan Presents, Christina BanBan at Skarstedt, Lynda Benglis at Pace, Emily Mae Smith and Ross Bleckner at Petzel, Gary Hume at Matthew Marks, Deana Lawson and Jordan Wolfson at Gagosian, Lee Bul and George Rouy at Hauser & Wirth, Eric Mack at Paula Cooper, and Thomas Ruff at David Zwirner. More than a field trip, this painting-focused initiative creates meaningful opportunities for artistic discovery, professional engagement and firsthand encounters with contemporary art, helping students envision their own futures as practicing artists. Artist Rebecca Ness will be a visiting scholar in November, giving a public lecture and holding studio visits with painting students.

Michael Covello, Art & Design

Big Interview Day Connects Future Educators with School Leaders

The College of Education's Office for Clinical Education and Partnerships hosted Big Interview Day for Kutztown University's Fall 2026 student teachers on Thursday, Oct. 8. In partnership with the Career Development Center, the event brought together 12 regional school districts, 36 superintendents, principals and district administrators, and 100 student teachers for a day of professional learning, networking and mock interviews. Big Interview Day provided future educators with valuable opportunities to strengthen their interviewing skills, receive feedback from educational leaders and build connections with potential employers. Under the leadership of Dr. Marcella Rack-Kraycik, director for the Office for Clinical Education and Partnerships, Big Interview Day continues to serve as a signature example of collaboration between KU and regional school districts, helping to support strong educator pipelines and meaningful clinical experiences for the next generation of educators.

Rebecca West Burns, College of Education

Campuswide Grass Fertilizer and Weed Control Application

Trugreen will be on site to perform the annual fall fertilizer and weed control application to campus grass areas Monday, Oct. 12. If you see the team working, please avoid walking through the grass until it is dry. This typically takes about 30 minutes, depending on weather conditions. Thank you for your patience.

William Meeker, Facilities

Leadership in Action Series: Navigating Conflict Before It Escalates

Join the Office of Human Resources 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 250 MSU, for an interactive, in-person session on identifying the root causes of workplace conflict and learning practical tools to navigate challenging situations, with our guest speaker Dr. Deborah Kidder, dean of the College of Business. Discover strategies to foster stronger, more collaborative teams and create a more positive workplace interaction.

Register

Human Resources

Military Care Package Donation Drive And Packaging Event

Join the Kutztown University Military & Veteran Services Center and Kutztown Athletics from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 262 MSU, as we come together to support deployed military service members. Stop by to drop off donations and show our deployed service members that they are remembered and appreciated by learning about and assembling care packages. We are collecting new, unopened, nonperishable snacks, card games, self-care and body care products, hair care items and stationery supplies, including notebooks, pens, cards and letters of encouragement. All donated items will be assembled into care packages and sent to deployed service members. Every donation makes a difference. Help us spread a little comfort, encouragement and gratitude to those serving our country.

Brianna Mazza, Military and Veterans Services

Veteran and Military-Connected Faculty and Staff Resource Group Invitation

A group of KU colleagues is developing a resource group for veteran and military-connected faculty and staff. This group will meet periodically and explore ways to support one another and our military-connected students. The group can also advise and support Military & Veteran Services student programming and initiatives. All military-connected faculty and staff, including dependents and spouses of veterans, are encouraged to participate in whatever capacity they can. To stay informed of upcoming meetings, events and other announcements, please complete this Interest Form.

Nick Snyder, Military & Veteran Services

Please Excuse Students Oct. 8-14

Please excuse the following students from class attendance (but not classwork) Thursday, Oct. 8 to Wednesday, Oct. 14. They will be presenting their research at the Geological Society of America meeting in Denver, Colorado. Hunter Dufresne, Abe Friehauf, Elizabeth Keim, Heidi Kropff, Rachel Love, Todd Messner, Sierra Smart, Rachel Stahley, Rhianna Stutz, Kimo Washington, Maddy Will.

Kurt Friehauf, Physical Sciences

University Curriculum Committee

The next University Curriculum Committee (UCC) meeting will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, on Zoom. The proposal deadline is noon, Thursday, Oct. 15. Please submit proposals to the UCC SharePoint site. Contact Brian Meares at meares@kutztown.edu with any questions.

Brian Meares, University Curriculum Committee

Help Students Afford Learning: Apply for a $1,000 KU Grant

For many of our students, textbook costs can put learning out of reach. Help ease their financial burden by replacing costly textbooks with free, high-quality Open Educational Resources (OERs) in spring 2027.
Program Highlights:
- The Award: $1,000 each for up to seven selected applicants to transition a course from commercially produced course materials to OER and complete assessment reports.
- Eligibility: Open to all permanent tenured and tenure-track faculty.
- Expert Support: Get hands-on help finding and integrating materials from a dedicated team of OER Sourcing, Accessibility, Instructional Design and Pedagogy experts.
How to Apply:
- Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 5
- Details & Application: Visit the KU OER Grant webpage
- Questions? Contact Dan Stafford, Rohrbach Library, at stafford@kutztown.edu.

Dan Stafford, Rohrbach Library