Welcome to Spring Semester 2026

January 12, 2026

Dear Faculty Colleagues,

Happy New Year, and welcome to the spring semester!

I am honored to serve as the next executive vice president and provost of LMU. We have important and exciting work ahead of us, and I am committed to partnering with you to advance student success and strengthen our campus community.

As I step into this role, I have been reflecting on my “why” as an educator and academic leader. Why do I do this work? Why is it so important to me? I come from a family of teachers, where education and the pursuit of knowledge were always central values. My "why" is rooted in the profound transformation that happens as we learn, ask questions, and discover more about the world and ourselves.

My “why” is connected to curiosity, and how education gives us the tools to explore deeply and to remake ourselves through what we discover. I experience profound joy when a student poses a question at a new edge of understanding; when a faculty member achieves a research or creative breakthrough to share with the world; or when a colleague describes a fresh pedagogical approach that will enrich our students’ experiences at LMU. That LMU is a place where these moments happen every day, that I can play a part in fostering an environment for them, is why I love this work so much.

In all, I am grateful to be part of the LMU community. I cherish working in a place where the transformative joys of learning and discovery guide our actions every day. I look forward to partnering with you as provost to generate more of this joy and understanding for ourselves, our communities, and, most important, our students.

Spring Resources for Faculty
The Office of the Provost collaborates with units and offices across the university to provide resources to help faculty thrive as teacher-scholars. This spring will see many such opportunities. I invite you to take advantage of them as you are able.

Center for Faculty Development
This spring, the Center for Faculty Development (CFD) is offering a wide range of opportunities to support your teaching, scholarly and creative work, leadership, and professional growth. Please look for upcoming emails from the CFD for specific details or contact cfd@lmu.edu.

Teaching and Learning offerings include a Teaching with Technology Symposium themed “Teaching in the Age of AI,” workshops on AI-informed pedagogy, an inclusive teaching workshop series titled “Flourishing for All”, multiple Faculty Learning Communities (Alternative Grading, Intellectual Virtues, AI and Pedagogy,) and Lunch and Learn sessions on tools like Gradescope.
Scholarly and Creative Work offerings include writing retreats and workshops, a Finding the Funds series, FSR bootcamps, a Community of Practice for those who conduct scholarly/creative work related to equity and inclusion, and a Faculty Learning Community on Artists as Academics.
Leadership/Professional Development offerings include retreats and ongoing learning communities for department chairs, as well as a multi-session Leadership Series.
1:1 Coaching. Individualized 1:1 coaching is available through weekly office hours with CFD directors.

LMU Internal Grants

Application submission for LMU Internal Grants is currently open. The Office of Faculty Development administers six internal grants: Faith and Justice Curriculum Development grants and Research grants, Academic Technology grants, IPP Sustainable Development Goals Curriculum Development grant, Experiential Learning for Mission Core Curriculum Development Grant, and Delphi Award: NTTF Professional Development grant. LMU’s Mellon Foundation-funded Habitable Worlds Project, which explores implications of artificial intelligence through the lens of disability studies, is also offering a fellowship. All grants and fellowship are accepting applications and will close on Jan. 30, 2026. Please read the instructions for eligibility and application requirements. For support in applying for external grants, please visit the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP).

National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD

LMU is an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD), a nationally recognized organization that provides online career development and mentoring resources for faculty, post-docs, and graduate students. NCFDD provides a variety of virtual programs and resources, including a weekly Monday Motivator; webinars and multi-week courses; private discussion forums for peer-mentoring and problem-solving; 14-day writing challenges; and resources recommendations for teaching, research, writing, diversity and professional growth. LMU faculty can access these benefits by signing up for a free account here.

Mission Integration Workshop Offerings for Spring

“Bearing Witness: Stories of Self and Collective Power,” Thursday, Jan. 22, 12 – 1:30 p.m. Facilitators: Intercultural Facilitators. RSVP
“A Humanizing Approach to Supervision: The Ignatian Presupposition,” Wednesday, Feb. 4, 12 – 1:30 p.m. Facilitators: Julia Wade, Kat Brown, and jamal epperson. RSVP
“Neurodiversity,” Tuesday, Feb. 10 and Tuesday, Feb. 17, 10-12 p.m. Facilitators: Natalie Aguilar, Joseph Bernardo, jamal epperson, Elmira Irvin, and Michelle Young. RSVP
“LGBT Safe Zones,” Tuesday, Feb. 24; Tuesday, March 10; Tuesday, Mar. 24; Tuesday, April 7, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Facilitators: Stuart Moskovitz, Kwyn Townsend Riley, Ana-Sofia Alcaraz, Astra Yatroussis, and Isaac Cardenas. RSVP
“UndocuAdvocate Workshop 1.0,” Wednesday, Feb. 25, 12 – 2 p.m. Facilitators: UndocuScholars LLC. RSVP
“Intercultural Development Inventory,” Friday, March 20, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Facilitators: Joseph Bernardo, Julia Wade, and jamal epperson. RSVP
“UndocuAdvocate Workshop 2.0,” Wednesday, April 08, 12 – 2 p.m., Facilitators: UndocuScholars LLC. RSVP
“Conflict Intelligence,” Wednesday, April 15, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Facilitators: Joseph Bernardo, Julia Wade, and jamal epperson. RSVP

Mission and Ministry Opportunities

Writing retreat: All faculty are invited to participate in the upcoming Manresa Faculty Writing Retreat hosted by the Center for Mission and Identity, a four-night off-site retreat designed to support productivity, offer rest and rejuvenation, and build community across the university. Find more information and request an OFD sponsorship.
Immersion: The annual Faculty/Staff Immersion, sponsored by the Center for Mission and Identity, will travel to Guatemala in May 2026 and explore justice, spirituality, memory and resistance. Applications open each fall and faculty may sign up to be notified of future programs here.
CSJ Center for Reconciliation and Justice Annual Symposium: The topic for this year’s weeklong symposium scheduled for Feb. 9-12 is “Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor: Modeling the City of Tomorrow.” Faculty are invited to attend and may wish to consider bringing their classes to the symposium. Schedule and additional details can be found at https://mission.lmu.edu/csjcenter/symposium/2026/.

Finally, I want to express my appreciation for the faculty of LMU. Your collective commitment to teaching, scholarship, and student success animates the academic life of our institution, and I look forward to advancing this work together. I wish you a semester that nourishes your sense of purpose, curiosity, and joy.

Warmly,
Kat

Kathleen Weaver, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
Professor of Biology