UVU Faculty Convocation

Strength in the Struggle

Wednesday, August 12, 2026
9:30am - 3:00pm

The annual faculty convocation meets the following three objectives aligned with Vision 2030:

  1. Foster Faculty Support and Success: The annual faculty convocation aims to create a supportive and connected academic environment, helping faculty thrive. This aligns with UVU Vision 2030's goal to enhance educational quality by recruiting and retaining excellent faculty and staff.
  2. Promote Transparency and Communication: The convocation ensures transparency and effective communication within the academic community through updates from key offices, keeping faculty informed and engaged. This supports UVU Vision 2030's objective to enhance educational quality by recruiting and retaining excellent faculty and staff.
  3. Encourage Faculty Collaboration and Engagement: The convocation fosters collaboration across disciplines through workshops and discussions on key higher education topics, aligning with UVU Vision 2030's aim to strengthen engaged learning and community engagement opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.

2026 Faculty Convocation Schedule

9:30am – 3:00pm

Opening session | 9:30 am - 12:00 Pm

Ballroom | Livestream

(9:30 am - 9:45 am) Remarks from Kat Brown, Deputy Provost

(9:45 am - 10:00 am) Remarks from Evelyn Porter, Faculty Senate President

(10:00 am - 10:50 am) Remarks from Wayne Vaught, Interim President and Senior VP of Academic Affairs

(10:50 am - 11:00 am) Remarks from the Faculty Ombuds, Natalie Grecu

(11:00 am - 11:15 am) Strength in the Struggle: Bill Erbs & J.C. Graham

(11:15 am - 11:30 am) Our Better Selves: Wioleta Fedeczko

LIVESTREAM

Lunch | 12:00 PM – 1:00 pm

Ballroom

Sponsored by Our Better Selves

Resource Fair | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Ballroom Commons

Discover a collection of services from across campus that can assist faculty members in their teaching responsibilities and the diverse needs of their students.

Workshops | 1:00 pm - 2:50 pm 

Midterm, Tenure, and Rank | 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm

Presenters: Wayne Vaught, Kat Brown, Laurie Toro, Melissa Noyes

Join the Provost, Deputy Provost, Faculty Senate President, Faculty Senate RTP&A Chair, and the Director of Faculty Development for our annual RTP workshop.

This session will focus on navigating the review process at every stage—midterm, tenure, and rank advancement. Whether you're preparing your own portfolio or mentoring others through the process, this workshop offers timely updates, policy guidance, and practical strategies to help you move forward with confidence. RTP chairs and committee members are strongly encouraged to attend.

Post-Tenure Reviews | 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm

Presenters: Wayne Vaught, Kat Brown, Laurie Toro, Melissa Noyes

Join the Provost, Deputy Provost, Faculty Senate President, and the Director of Faculty Development for a post tenure review workshop.

This session will focus on navigating the review process, offer timely updates, policy guidance, and practical strategies to help you move forward with confidence.

Find information about faculty resources and university programs: Faculty Resources

2026 UVU Faculty Convocation Planning Committee Members

Dianne McAdams-Jones, CHPS

Eric Russell, CHPS

Kristina Gibby, CHSS

Sowmya Selvarajan, CoS

Nathan Cordner, SCET

John Rees, SoA

Bing Han, SoE

Mohsen Hamidi, WSB

Laurie Toro, Faculty Development

Wioleta Fedeczko, Faculty Senate

Cindy Wilkinson, Academic Affairs

Nizhone Meza, Academic Affairs