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Faculty Development Academy

The McMaster Engineering Faculty Development Academy was established in 2014 to support the Faculty’s mission and strategic plan, Invest for Excellence, and to construct new and effective learning experiences for both its faculty and students.

The Faculty is committed to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and experiential learning. Our goal is to empower our faculty members to build on their strengths as instructors and classroom facilitators in order to stay current with the evolving technological advances in teaching.

The Faculty’s strategic vision, Invest for Excellence, supports constructing new and effective learning experiences for and with our students. It is essential to equip faculty members with the necessary tools and skills to enhance a learning environment that is engaging for our students and provide the best teaching experiences for our faculty members.

Andrea Photo

Andrea Colbert-DeGeit

Executive Officer & Executive Assistant to the Dean

About FDA

In an age where student learning is evolving and changing, it is imperative that we strive to stay current with technological advances in teaching. Initiatives established through the Faculty Development Academy will not only provide an enriched teaching and learning experience for our faculty, but also offer support in research, leadership and academic administrative processes.

Furthermore, the Faculty Development Academy recognizes that staff development is a critical component for on-going personal and professional development. Programs and initiatives can assist staff members develop skills and competencies to grow in their positions as well as professionally in order to prepare them for advancement.

The Faculty Development Academy has also identified key areas in which its graduate students can partake in professional skills development. On-line initiatives provide support in areas such as presentation skills, launching one’s career, and work/life balance, to name a few.

Acknowledging our Faculty Development Academy Volunteers

The Faculty of Engineering extends its sincere thanks and deepest appreciation to all the faculty, staff and guest facilitators who have volunteered their time to our Faculty Development Academy initiatives. Your hard work and dedication in assisting with the development of the resources and workshops has made the Faculty Development Academy – our academy – a great success. I commend you on a job well done and offer you my deep personal gratitude.   
Ishwar Puri, Dean and Professor 

Current Offerings

 Instructional Skills Workshop

July 24 to July 26, 2018
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
JHE-A114

The Faculty of Engineering’s Faculty Development Academy has partnered with The MacPherson Institute to offer the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) in a small group setting within the Faculty of Engineering. This engaging, evidence-based workshop is designed to enhance the teaching effectiveness of both new and experienced educators. The ISW presents a framework for planning and delivering lessons, and provides a forum for participants to deliver three participatory lessons to a small group of peers and reflect on a variety of feedback. Participants will each design and deliver three 10-minute, participatory mini-lessons and provide constructive feedback on the lessons of others. Many experienced instructors use this workshop as a place for refining their ideas about education and trying out new approach to their classes.

Facilitator:  Julia Evanovitch, Educational Developer and Alyson Brown, Research Coordinator from the MacPherson Institute

Please note that this three-day workshop is taking place from Tuesday, July 24th to Thursday, July 26th; 8:30am - 4:30pm each day.  Participants are required to attend all three days to successfully complete the program.

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to:

  • Construct intended learning outcomes (ILOs)
  • Incorporate active learning strategies into lessons
  • Enhance lesson planning and delivery approaches
  • Collect and utilize feedback from learners about lesson delivery
  • Provide valuable and constructive feedback on others’ lessons

In fulfilling the time and participation requirements of the ISW, you will earn an internationally-recognized Instructional Skills Workshop certificate.

Register here by July 6

Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) Professional Practice Exam (PPE)

Tuesday, July 24, 2018
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
JHE H324 (Hatch Centre, Learning Collaboration Room)

This workshop is intended for faculty and graduate students who are registered to write the PEO PPE Exam on August 11, 2018

Facilitator:  Prof. Cam Churchill, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering

Register here by July 16

Past offerings

Flow Yoga – Thursdays, March 30 – September 28, 2017
Facilitator: Martha Shea, De La Sol Yoga

New Faculty Orientation – July 5, 2017
Ishwar K. Puri, Dean of Engineering; Marilyn Lightstone, Professor and Chair, Mechanical Engineering;  John Preston, Associate Dean (Research and External Affairs); Ken Coley, Joe McDermid, Michael Thompson, Kris Knorr, Mihaela Dumitrescu, Amber Metham, Grace Kim, Alan Sawula, Glen Crossley, Andrea Colbert-DeGeit

PEO Exam Preparation Workshop – August 3, 2017
Facilitator: Cameron Churchill, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering 

Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) – August 23-25, 2017
Facilitator: MacPherson Institute

Selection Committee Certification – various dates July - September, 2017
Facilitator:  Andrea Colbert-DeGeit, Executive Officer, Faculty of Engineering

Teaching Assistant (TA) Training – September 18-25, 2017      
Facilitators:  Donal Finnerty & Eric Salt, Graduate Students, Mechanical Engineering 

Mentorship Panel Workshop – September 19, 2017
Facilitators:  Marilyn Lightstone, Professor and Chair, Mechanical Engineering;  Greg Wohl, Associate Professor and Associate Chair (Undergraduate), Mechanical Engineering; Ridha Khedri, Professor and Chair, Computing & Software; Tim Davidson, Professor and Chair, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Hatem Zurob, Associate Professor and Chair, Materials Science & Engineering; Carlos Filipe, Professor and Chair, Chemical Engineering; Sarah Dickson, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering; Arlene Dosen, Director, Outreach & Engagement, Faculty of Engineering

PEO Exam Preparation Workshop – September 22, 2017
Facilitator: Cam Churchill, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering

Graduate Attributes 101 – September 28, 2017
Facilitators:  Marilyn Lightstone, Professor and Chair, Mechanical Engineering and Greg Wohl, Associate Professor and Associate Chair (Undergraduate), Mechanical Engineering

Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) – October 10-12, 2017
Facilitator: McPherson Institute 

Women in Engineering Luncheon – December 12, 2017

Teaching Assistant (TA) Training – January 5, 8, 12, or 19, 2018
Facilitators:  Donal Finnerty & Eric Salt, Graduate Students, Mechanical Engineering 

Lunch & Learn - Branding & Marketing Information – January 17, 2018
Facilitators:  Mike Webber, Executive Advisor, Marketing, Communications & Public Affairs and Monique Beech, Manager, Public Relations, Faculty of Engineering

Tenure & Promotion Information Session – February 6, 2018
Facilitators: Joseph McDermid, Professor, Materials Science & Engineering; Barb Eftekhari, Manager, Faculty Appointments and Records; Andrea Colbert-DeGeit, Executive Officer & Executive Assistant to Ishwar K. Puri, Dean

Continuous Improvement Through Self-Assessment - Thursday, May 3 2018
Facilitators: Dr. John Preston and Dr. Tim Davidson

Strategies for Recruiting Great Graduate Students - Thursday, May 10, 2018
Facilitators: Dr. Michael Thompson, Dr. Todd Hoare, Dr. Heather Sheardown, and Dr. Tim Davidson

Technical Communication in Undergraduate Engineering - Thursday, May 24, 2018
Facilitators: Dr. Greg Wohl, Dr. Kim Jones, Dr. Jennifer Long, Prof. Michael Justason, Dr. Colin McDonald, Sylvie Plante (MCM), and Dr. Elizabeth Hassan

McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) on opportunities to embed aging themes in engineering - Thursday, May 31, 2018
Facilitator:  Dr. Laura Harrington, Managing Director of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA)

Social Media 101 - Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Facilitator:  Ciara McCann, Social Media & Digital Content Coordinator, Faculty of Engineering

Boosting your Brand - Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Facilitator:  Ciara McCann, Social Media & Digital Content Coordinator, Faculty of Engineering

PEO/PPE Exam Preparation Workshop – July 19, 2016
Facilitator:  Cameron Churchill, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering 

Preparing Your Scholarship Application for Vanier and Banting Competitions – August 10, 2016
Facilitators: Michael Thompson, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies (Engineering) and Heather Sheardown, Professor, Chemical Engineering

New Faculty Orientation – August 16, 2016
Facilitators: Ishwar K. Puri, Dean of Engineering, Marilyn Lightstone, John Preston, Michael Thompson, Joe McDermid, Andrea Colbert-DeGeit

Selection Committee Diversity Training Certification Sessions 1-3 – August 22, September 8 and 26, 2016
Facilitators: Lynn Stewart, Amber Bukata, Andrea Colbert-DeGeit

Women in Engineering Lunch with Chancellor Susan Labarge – September 20, 2016 

Research Integrity & Professionalism around Intellectual Property (IP) – September 22, 2016
Faciliators: John Preston, Associate Dean (Research and External Affairs) and Gay Yuyitung 

Torgny Roxa's Teaching and Learning Strategies – October 4, 2016
Facilitator:  Torgny Roxa 

Mindfulness Yoga – Thursdays, October 6 to December 8, 2016
Facilitator: Martha Shea, De La Sol Yoga 

Selection Committee Diversity Training Certification Sessions #4-8 – October to December 2016
Facilitator: Andrea Colbert-DeGeit, Executive Officer, Faculty of Engineering 

Graduate Supervision Workshop – October 13, 2016
Facilitators: Michael Thompson, Tom Adams, Amber Metham 

PEO/PPE Exam Preparation Workshop – November 17, 2016
Facilitator:  Cameron Churchill, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering 

Identifying and Addressing Mental Health Issues in Distressed Students and Faculty - November 28, 2016
Facilitators: Rachel Byrne (OHN) & Allison Drew-Hassling 

Flow Yoga – Thursdays from January 12 - March 23, 2017
Facilitator: Martha Shea, De La Sol Yoga 

“Engineering” Connections in Today’s Classrooms – January 31, 2017
Facilitators: Dr. Frances Tuer, School of Business and Dr. Carlos Filipe, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering 

Effective teaching in today’s world requires creating and sustaining connections between students and the material, between students and the instructor, and between students themselves. This is often easier said than done in today’s highly technological, highly diverse classrooms. What worked in the past may not be working as well today, especially as classes have become larger and Generation Z - the “digital natives” - are now on board. 

Tenure & Promotion Information Session – January 25, 2017
Facilitators: Dr. Joe McDermid, Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Andrea Colbert-DeGeit, Executive Officer, Faculty of Engineering 

Work/Life Balance – Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Facilitator: Dr. Marisa Young, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology

A major struggle academics face is the ability to balance competing work and life demands. What is commonly referred to as “work-family conflict” has become a prevalent mental health risk for North Americans, especially among those with flexible work schedules such as employees in an academic setting. This interactive workshop is designed to disseminate information about the causes and consequences of work-family conflict, as well as propose strategies for faculty to better achieve balance in academia. Target audience includes parents, but the workshop content will also be valuable to individuals of all marital and parental statuses. 

PEO/PPE Exam Preparation Workshop – March 24, 2017
Facilitator:  Cameron Churchill, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering 

Women in Engineering Wine & Cheese – March 24, 2017
Facilitators: Dr. Kim Jones, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering
Andrea Colbert-DeGeit, Executive Officer, Faculty of Engineering 

Flow Yoga –Thursdays from March 30 to September 28, 2017
Facilitator: Martha Shea, De La Sol Yoga

Integrating Mindfulness into Personal and Professional Life (DRAM 4) – April 29 & 30, 2017
Facilitators: Dr. Ken Burgess, Dr. Andrea Frolic & Dr. Elaine Principi

PEO Practice Evaluation and Knowledge (PEAK) Presentation – May 1, 2017
Facilitator: Bernard (Bernie) Ennis 

Improv for Life – May 10, 2017
Facilitator: Peter Jonasson, Laboratory Technician, Engineering Physics

A fun, engaging, and interactive workshop intended to help build confidence, create connections, and improve communication and problem solving skills. Please note that this workshop requires audience participation. All are welcome to attend.

NSERC sponsored Women in Science and Engineering Workshop: Tenure & Beyond! – June 14, 2017
Facilitators: Kim Jones, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, Emily Cranston, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, Kathryn Grandfield, Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering 

PEO/PPE Exam Preparation Workshop – July 27, 2017
Facilitator: Cameron Churchill, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering

PEO PPE Exam Preparation Workshop – July 16, 2015
Facilitator: Cam Churchill, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering

Faculty Recruitment Searches Training Session – September 11, 2015
Facilitators:  Lynn Stewart, Maria Massi

MES-EGS Councils Improv Session – September 16, 2015
Facilitator: Peter Jonasson, Laboratory Technician, Engineering Physics

Mindfulness Meditation – Wednesdays from September 30 - November 25, 2016
Facilitator: Elizabeth Takács, Lab Manager, MMRI

Improv for Life – November 2, 2015
Facilitator: Peter Jonasson, Laboratory Technician, Engineering Physics

Academic/Research Integrity (Leadership) Lunch & Learn – November 6, 2015
Facilitator:  Andrea Thyret-Kidd

On-Line Teaching Portfolio – November 30, 2015
Facilitator: David Potter, MIIETL Reps

Mindfulness Tea Meditation – December 2, 2015
Facilitator: Elizabeth Takács, Lab Manager, MMRI

Mindfulness Meditation – Wednesdays from January 13 - April 27, 2016
Facilitator: Elizabeth Takács, Lab Manager, MMRI

Tenure and Promotion Workshop – January 26, 2016
Facilitator: Joe McDermid, Professor, Materials Science & Engineering

The Good Lecture – February 11, 2016
Presented by: The Faculty Development Academy and MIIETL

 PEO Exam Preparation Workshop – March 22, 2015
Facilitator: Cam Churchill, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering

Women in Engineering Lunch – June 1, 2016
Facilitators: Kim Jones, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering; Sarah Dickson, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering

Advanced Media Training – June 29, 2016
Facilitator: Monique Beech, Marketing and Communications Strategist, Faculty of Engineering

Experiential Learning Workshop Series – November 12, 2014
Facilitators:  Art Heidebrecht, Lynn Stewart, Maria Massi

Work/Life Balance: Dealing with Stress – December 4, 2014
Facilitator: Elizabeth Takács

Conflict Resolution Workshop – December 10, 2014
Facilitator: Linda Spence

Tenure and Promotion Workshop – January 15, 2015
Facilitators:  Joe McDermid, Joe McDermid, Maria Massi

Mindfulness Mediation (Weekly Session) – Wednesdays, January 28 - May13, 2015           
Facilitator: Elizabeth Takács

Improv for Life – February 26, 2015
Facilitator: Peter Jonasson

University Secretariat Workshop – March 30, 2015
Facilitators: Helen Ayre, Michelle Bennett

New Faculty Mentoring Workshop – March 31, 2015
Facilitator: Marilyn Lightstone

Faculty Recruitment and Searches – April 15, 2015
Facilitators: John Preston, Lynn Stewart, Amber Bukata, Maria Massi

Faculty Recruitment and Searches (Addition) – April 23, 2015 
Facilitators: Lynn Stewart, Amber Bukata, Maria Massi

Media Training Session – April 22, 2015         
Facilitator: Monique Beech

Women in Engineering Faculty Luncheon – April 28, 2015        
Facilitator: Sarah Dickson

Faculty Recruitment & Searches (Administrators) – April 29, 2015         
Facilitators: Lynn Stewart, Amber Bukata, Maria Massi

Experiential Learning Workshop Series – May 4 and 6, 2015    
Facilitators:  M. Bakr, K. Jones, T. Yuen, T. Doyle, N. Al-Mutawaly, L. Stewart, M. Massi

Social Media (Faculty) – May 11, 2015            
Facilitator: Monique Beech

Faculty Recruitment and Searches (Addition) – May 13, 2015  
Facilitators: Lynn Stewart, Amber Bukata, Maria Massi

Pilates/Yoga – PiYo – Thursdays from May 21-June 25, 2015|
Facilitator: Shelia Laffan

Social Media (Staff) – May 28, 2015
Facilitator: Monique Beech

Improv for Life – June 3, 2015
Facilitator:  Peter Jonasson

Grant Proposal Writing/Funding Opportunities – June 17, 2015              
Facilitators:  J. Preston, M. Lightstone, S. Hranilovic, S. Webb, A. Metham

Professional Engineers Licenses – June 22, 2015
Facilitators:  Moody Farag, Cam Churchill

Mentoring Workshop – September 4, 2013  
Facilitators: Marilyn Lightstone, Maria Massi

Mentoring Workshop – March 27, 2014
Facilitators:  Marilyn Lightstone, Maria Massi

Research Opportunities Workshop – May 7, 2014
Facilitators: Peter Mascher, Glen Crossley, Amber Methram, Sherisse Webb, Maria Massi

Large Classroom Engagement Workshop (Full day) – June 16 & 23, 2014
Facilitators: Cam Churchill, Greg Wohl, Minha Ha, Maria Massi

PEO Information Session – July 14, 2014    
Facilitators: Moody Farag, Cam Churchill

Assessment Design (1/2) – July 29 and 30, 2014
Facilitators: John Preston, Kevin Dunn, Minha Ha, Maria Massi

Developing Industry Partners Information Session – August 12, 2014    
Facilitators: Peter Mascher, Glen Crossley, Maria Massi

Faculty Orientation

Welcome to the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University. We are pleased you have joined our community and look forward to working with you.

The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University recognizes the importance to integrate new faculty to its community. It is equally important to ensure that new faculty are equipped with the necessary resources to help them navigate successfully through their first year and subsequent years so that they can build a strong foundation for a rewarding career.

Orientation provided by individual Departments and Schools will be complemented by one-on-one orientation sessions offered by the Office of the Dean upon the commencement of a new faculty members appointment. The Dean's office will contact you directly to arrange an appointment for an orientation session.

New Faculty Orientation Package

New Faculty Mentoring Workshop

Instructional Skills Workshop

The Instructional Skills Workshop is offered within a small group setting and is designed to enhance the teaching effectiveness of both new and experienced educators. Participants review basic ideas about teaching, check current practices, and within the safe environment of the workshop, try new strategies and techniques. During the 3-day workshop (24 hours total), participants design and conduct three “mini-lessons” and receive verbal, written and video feedback from the other participants who have been learners in the mini-lessons. Participants receive a certificate upon completion which is widely recognized at many Canadian and international post-secondary institutions.

  Instructional Skills Workshop          MacPherson Institute

The following Engineering faculty have attended the workshop and have given their permission to have their names listed as successful participants.

Dr. Charles de Lannoy, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering
Dr. Jacob Nease, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering
Dr. Moataz Mohamed, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
Dr. Eu-Gene Ng, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Rashid Abu-Ghazalah, Assistant Professor, Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology
Dr. Konstantinos Apostolou, Assistant Professor, Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology
Dr. Mostafa Soliman, Assistant Professor, Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology
Dr. Seshasai Srinivasan, Assistant Professor, Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology
Prof. Silvie Tanu Halim, Lecturer, Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology

Professional Licensing

Professional Engineers Ontario

Professional Engineering License

The Faculty of Engineering values its connection with the Engineering profession. Moreover, maintenance of program accreditation requires that most of our faculty members be licensed by the profession. It is therefore expected that if you are not currently licensed as a professional engineer by the Professional Engineers of Ontario that you will become licensed prior to the end of your initial contract period.

Application Process

Staff Development

The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University recognizes that the staff it employs are central to all of its academic and research endeavors. Assisting the development of each individual will ultimately enhance the Faculty of Engineering’s performance and status as a quality employer within McMaster.

All University staff have a right and responsibility to continuously improve the capabilities required for their current roles, and to consider development required for possible future roles at higher levels or in other organizational units. While staff members should proactively develop their capabilities, staff development is a shared responsibility. Managers within the Faculty of Engineering have a key responsibility in supporting staff to identify their skills and development needs through regular feedback and in encouraging them to take up development opportunities.

The Faculty of Engineering encourages staff to develop their capabilities through a broad range of activities.

Visit the following links to help you choose from various professional development opportunities.