I am currently
working with the Center for Teaching and Faculty Excellence (CTFE) which is an
office at Mason that offers a range of opportunities for instructors. I was
hired under Laura Lukes who is the Assistant Director for the office. As the
office is working 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. I usually spend my time
updating the website, entering data into the designated software, and 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. I was
unaware that some instructors meet on their days off to discuss ways to engage
students in lecture and encourage class participation. The staff at CTFE are
involved in a great deal of programs provided for faculty and I discovered how
dedicated they are to listening to the concerns of that the teaching staff have
and developing ways to improve these concerns for the future of George Mason
University.
My major here at
George Mason is communication with a concentration in public relations. My
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 will have to use in future positions, updating the website, and creating
advertisements—which are all duties that I may very well be assigned in my
career. 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.
