The Pulse Newsletter
July 2025 Edition
In this edition
- From the Desk of the Interim Provost
- Academic Unit Featured Stories
- From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs
- From the Desk of Vice Provost for Assessment and Accreditation
- ODE Corner
- Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates
- Faculty Spotlight | Yael Sela
- Staff Spotlight | Marisa Eynon-Ezop
- Faculty Resources
- Important Dates, Events and Deadlines
Message from Provost Abby Parrill-Baker
Thank you all for the warm welcome over the past month. It has been a pleasure meeting with faculty, staff, directors, and the deans and beginning to learn more about the many strengths and distinctive qualities of our academic and support units. I’ve enjoyed learning about fabulous experiential learning opportunities such as employer-driven project-based learning recently integrated into the computer science curriculum in CIT, the strong community engagement and experiential learning opportunities afforded by the CHS HEART clinic, and the growing career services support and first college-wide career fair in CASE. I am excited to keep learning as I start my second month here at UM-Flint!
Summer is a valuable time to rest and recharge, and I hope you are finding moments to do so. For those who are on campus, I’d be delighted to see you at one of our informal Meet & Greet gatherings – a chance to connect and share ideas in a relaxed setting.
The Summer edition of the Pulse features many uplifting stories from around the campus, including how two of our faculty engage in bridging the gap in STEM education for Flint’s children. On behalf of TCLT, I would like to invite faculty to the TCLT Annual Workshop: From Awareness to Action: Teaching Neurodiverse College Students Effectively.
As Fall approaches, I also look forward to gathering with everyone at our Academic Convocation on August 21 to officially kick off the new academic year. Together, let’s continue to enhance the UM-Flint experience for our students, faculty, staff, and the entire university community.
Abby Parrill-Baker
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Academic Unit Featured Stories
Learn about some of the many remarkable accomplishments of students, staff, and faculty!
- CASE – UM-Flint’s Karlichek receives US Department of State Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
- CASE – Three Psychology Majors Selected for 2025 Alfred C. Raphelson Prize
- CASE – UM-Flint’s Carter explores ecology through art in “Algae Farming” exhibition
- CASE – UM-Flint’s Theatre & Dance showcased community connections, diversity on the stage during “Flint Dances” on May 10
- CIT: Amazon Web Services provides UM-Flint students with university-first cloud computing certification
- CIT/CASE – UM-Flint researchers Donaldson and LaCosse bridging the gap in STEM education for Flint’s children
- CHS – THE WHITE COATS ARE COMING! (Physician assistant photo gallery)
- SOM/CASE – SOM/CASE study abroad course: Design Thinking in Japan
- SON – UM-Flint nursing graduate finds purpose in loss, charts path to nurse anesthetist
From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs
Dear UM-Flint Colleagues
I hope you are having a restful and enjoyable summer!
Here are some updates from the VPAA Office. We have been busy planning and working on initiatives for the upcoming academic year, and a more detailed update will be shared at the start of the academic year.
From the Desk of Vice Provost for Assessment and Accreditation
As part of our ongoing efforts to support institutional excellence and continuous improvement, I’m pleased to share one small update. We have recently received word that a peer review team has tentatively approved our Quality Initiative through the Higher Learning Commission.
The ODE Corner
The Office of Online and Digital Education provides comprehensive support to instructors and academic units in the development and delivery of online courses and programs at UM-Flint. Find the latest information for online teaching and learning resources, upcoming events, training opportunities, and more.
Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates
Learn about and register for the upcoming Faculty Webinars.
Faculty Spotlight | Yael Sela
I am an experimental psychologist specializing in social and personality psychology, with training in evolutionary psychology. (…) I am currently collaborating on a project aimed at supporting behavior change and improving health outcomes. Across all of my work, I am interested in how our evolved minds navigate age-old problems as well as novel challenges in the modern world.
Staff Spotlight | Marisa Eynon-Ezop
I work closely with the Rackham Graduate Program Directors to support our graduate students, doing my best to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to academic planning. This partnership strengthens our ability to respond to student needs and fosters a more seamless, student-centered experience across programs.
Important Dates, Events and Deadlines
- 7/7-7/18: Summer Vocal Academy
- 7/8 : Meet and Greet with Provost Parrill-Baker 10 – 11 a.m.
- 7/9: FWTL Faculty Webinar: Ensuring Course Readings Are Accessible to Students 1 – 2 p.m.
- 7/18: Summer Vocal Academy of Music Closing Concert
- 7/31: FWTL Faculty Webinar: Ensuring Course Readings Are Accessible to Students 1 – 2 p.m.
- 8/6: FWTL Faculty Webinar: Ensuring Course Readings Are Accessible to Students Noon – 1 p.m.
- 8/6: Music Program Auditions
- 8/14: FWTL Faculty Webinar: Integrating the Library into Your Canvas Course Noon – 1 p.m.
- 8/18: Meet and Greet with Provost Parrill-Baker 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- 8/20: FWTL Faculty Webinar: Course Readings, Copyright, & Online Classrooms Noon – 1 p.m.
- 8/21: TCLT Annual Workshop: From Awareness to Action: Teaching Neurodiverse College Students Effectively 9 a.m. – Noon
- 8/21: Academic Convocation 2 – 4 p.m.
- 9/12: TCLT New Faculty Orientation 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- 9/24: Meet and Greet with Provost Parrill-Baker 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.