My appointment as a Special Assistant to the Provost provided me with a terrific opportunity to pursue projects that were aligned with my professional interests, and had the potential to make a significant impact on the university community.
I worked closely with Provost Nellis and Dr. Vicki Clegg to develop and implement programming for newly-hired faculty at KSU. This effort very quickly translated into the establishment of K-State's New Faculty Institute (NFI) with core purposes of engaging newly-hired faculty members, introducing them to K-State's missions of teaching, research and outreach, and facilitating their successful involvement in those missions. The Institute brings together new faculty members and university faculty leaders in conversational forums to discuss issues ranging from class management and effective teaching to successful research and tenure. It is my hope that the Institute will offer new members or our faculty several opportunities for connections, peer-mentoring and long-lasting friendships at K-State.
A second focus of my appointment in the Provost's office was a study of the current strengths and future role of mediated education in KSU's on-campus and off-campus academic programs. This project provided allowed me to meet and interview leaders at the Provost's Office, Division of Continuing Education, Office of Mediated Education, Information Technology Assessment Center, Office of Assessment, Center for the Advancement of Teaching & Learning, and the Institute of Academic Alliances. My report on this project will assist the Provost's staff with strategic planning in the context of mediated education at K-State.
Alok Bhandari, Associate Professor, Civil Engineering
Special Assistant to the Provost, Spring 2006