Federal Work-Study student Chyna Staten Measures Effectiveness of Provost Courses an CTFE Programs

I am a senior communication major currently working with the Center for Teaching and Faculty Excellence (CTFE). The CTFE is an office at Mason that offers a range of opportunities for instructors, adjunct faculty, and full-time professors. I was hired under Laura Lukes who is the Assistant Director for the office. What interested me about my job is the opportunity to work on various projects and programs. I assist in database analysis and management to measure effectiveness of Provost courses and CTFE events and programs that are being implemented. On a weekly basis, I usually spend my time updating the website, entering data into Microsoft Excel as well as creating and reviewing materials distributed in events sponsored by the office.

I would say that I learn something substantial every week. Being around faculty, I gain insight to their efforts to create a beneficial environment for their students, especially with George Masons’ active learning classrooms. The staff at CTFE work hard to come up with innovative ways to push the agenda of teaching and learning. My work-study is a unique experience where I get to learn about the concerns teaching staff have and join CTFE in developing ways to improve these concerns for the future of George Mason University.

My concentration is public relations and that field requires creativity, interpersonal communication, and individual capability. PR involves creating and implementing communication efforts for a specific organization or business and I feel as though I am doing just that as a Research Assistant for CTFE. I spend my day getting familiar with software that I must use in future positions. Overall, I am appreciative of this position that I have been granted at the Center for Teaching and Faculty Excellence. I work with individuals who are dedicated to making a difference in their environment, which is exactly what I plan to do in my career.