News, Events, Annual Report

First Impressions: Organizing Your Brightspace Course to Support Student Success

Virtual Workshop

Thoughtful course organization is a powerful pedagogical tool: clear structure reduces cognitive load, supports self-regulation, and helps students feel oriented, confident, and ready to engage from day one. In this session, we will explore evidence-based strategies for designing a clear, engaging course with Brightspace tools and templates. We will create a “Welcome” module and consider strategies to set expectations and foster a sense of belonging. Ideal for all faculty—no prior Brightspace experience required. This virtual program will be offered twice: Wed., December 3, 10:30-11:30am and Thu., December 4, 1:00-2:00pm. RSVP by December 2nd. 

New VITAL Resource: Teaching with Brightspace  

Discover how Brightspace tools might support your teaching goals and enhance your students’ learning experience. Gain familiarity with Brightspace as you engage with pedagogical use cases, sample activities, and instructional practices. Enroll now.

VITALITY - Teaching with Brightspace: Building Classroom Community, October 2025

Consult the Brightspace Training and Support website for resources and to sign up for training sessions. 

New VITALITY - Preserving Learning in the Age of AI: Insights from Villanova Faculty

Findings from a faculty panel discussion on how A.I. continues to transform their teaching practice.  
Access the issue, November 2025

VITAL A.I. Series – Fall 2025

Series to help faculty navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of A.I. The series highlights recent developments in A.I,. examine its impact on student learning, and provide practical strategies for teaching and course design. Faculty will have opportunities to learn from colleagues, engage in hands-on workshops, and explore ways to thoughtfully approach A.I. in their courses.

• A.I. to Enhance Teaching Effectiveness: A Workshop with Prompts
  Tue., January 27, 2026, 10:00–11:15 a.m. | Zoom

Preserving Learning: Faculty Panel on Navigating A.I. - Video Presentations,  10/28/25  
Jim Mendez, Clinical Associate Professor, Nursing, (8:16); Veronika Ryjik, Professor & Chair, Spanish (8:18); Stephen McGill, Assistant Teaching Professor, Mechanical Engineering (7:35); Brian Grant, Assistant Professor, Accountancy (6:27)

Academic Updates, Office of the Provost

Course and Teacher Surveys (CATS) Requirements, R. Weinstein, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL), 12/2025
Blackboard Bankruptcy, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 10/2025
Spring 2026 Course Material Adoptions, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 10/2025
Spring 2026 Textbook Orders, C. Palus, Senior Vice Provost for Academics (SVPA), 09/2025
FAQs About Immigration and Villanova's Campus, A. Dailey, Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs (AVPFA), 09/2025
For Students: Fall Semester Updates, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 08/2025
Fall Slate Update, R Weinstein, VPTL, 08/2025
Fall Semester Updates, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 08/2025
Brightspace Launch Update, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 05/2025

Slate Success—Submitting Academic Concerns 

Do you have a student who is struggling in your course? As we approach the midpoint of the semester, faculty are encouraged to use the Student Success portal to report academic concerns (formerly early alerts). Search “Report an Academic Concern for a Student” in MyNova, then submit via My Classes or Student 360. Submissions are shared with the student’s academic advisor to help connect them with the proper support. Please visit our knowledge base article to learn more about how to report your concern. If you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Slate Success Team.

Flourish App for Student Well-Being 

The Flourish mobile app, an AI-powered tool for emotional health and stress management, is available to students. The app provides 24/7 support through its AI assistant, Sunnie, offering science-backed tips and encouragement designed to proactively support student well-being by addressing everyday stress and motivation.

Update on A.I. at Villanova University   

A.I. Task Force Report, May 2025
Guidance on A.I. Use in Your Education, R. Weinstein, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL), 1/10/2025
Teaching with A.I. Selected general and Villanova University resources
VITALITY: Strategies to Consider if You Suspect A.I. Misuse in Your Course 2/2024

Test Proctoring and Testing Accommodations

Consult this recorded session (9/5/24) to learn how to better support your students with test proctoring needs and become familiar with the Villanova Test Centers. Facilitated by Learning Support Services (LSS) and The Office for Access & Disability Services (ADS).

Teaching Podcasts

Learning Curve: Aims to “cut through the hype” and take an informed look at how A.I. is impacting education.

Social Learning Amplified: Brings candid conversations with educators who are finding new ways to engage students inside and outside the class. Each episode will give you real-life examples and practical strategies you can put into practice in your own courses. Hosted by Eric Mazur, internationally recognized educational innovator in Social Learning and Peer Instruction.

Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning: Guests share discoveries of “dead ideas”—ideas that are not true but that are often widely believed and embedded in the pedagogical choices we make. Hosted by Catherine Ross, CTL, Columbia University

Faculty Focus Live: Offers research-based teaching tips to boost your creativity and motivation hosted by Magna Publications. Current episode: From concept to practice: Implementing liquid syllabi in higher ed

Intentional Teaching with Derek Bruff: Aimed at faculty to help them develop foundational teaching skills and explore new ideas in teaching.

Tea for Teaching: Series of discussions of innovative and effective practices in teaching and learning. Hosted by State University of New York at Oswego.

Teaching in Higher Ed: Explores the art and science of being more effective at facilitating learning. Hosted by B. Stachowiak, Vangard University, CA.

On Cultivating Student Engagement in Higher Ed: Features faculty and course designers using creative approaches to enhance students' learning experiences and turn engagement "ON".  Hosted by Dr. Kathryn Berkow, University of Delaware.

Villanova Policy Library

The Villanova Policy Library (VPL) assists faculty, staff and students in better understanding the many University policies and procedures. The University Compliance Office continues to feature compliance-related policies. For example, the Academic Integrity Policy sets expectations for honest academic work and provides for equitable administrative procedures to address suspected violations of Villanova’s Code of Academic Integrity. Access VPL through MyNova.