Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) held its annual University Development Week (UDW) August 8-9, 2019. UDW brought faculty and staff to campus where they immersed themselves in courses prepared and presented by their peers. Over 87 employees and faculty attended sessions on Thursday and over 71 employees and faculty attended sessions on Friday.
Day one of UDW was focused on technology. The sessions were built around RMUoHP’s core Technology Standards & Expectations and delivered through three suggested technology pathways: online instruction, collaboration and efficiency, and data management and communication. Due to the University’s migrations to Google earlier this year, many of the sessions focused on teaching faculty and students how to use the tools offered by Google, as well as other technology available to University employees.
Cassidy Vela, RMUoHP Educational Experience Technologist, stated, “We did our best to offer topics that would be useful and interesting for each employee. About a week before UDW, we launched TECH 100, a new orientation course required by all faculty and staff. Because several UDW sessions were focused on topics and skills required in TECH 100, we sought to minimize overlap by encouraging participation in the relevant course module before attending UDW.”
Day two was specifically for faculty and was devoted solely to scholarship. In the morning Faculty Development Day was held and the afternoon the Scholarship Symposium was held where students and faculty presented research through posters or platforms. This year’s UDW presenters were also this year’s faculty award recipients. Dr. Jessica Immonen, RMUoHP Co-Chair of the Anatomy and Physiology Department, was the recipient of the Rising Star Award for up-and-coming faculty. Dr. Lori Brody, RMUoHP faculty in the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science in Health Science programs, was the recipient of the Hartgraves Award for Teaching Excellence, which is the highest award given to faculty at the University.
Overall, RMUoHP’s’ annual UDW was a success. Linda Voss, Admin to the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs & Post-Professional Programs, stated, “The university is committed to advancing knowledge and advancing healthcare. As people join together for learning and growth, to strengthen friendships and bonds, and to share in the instruction offered at UDW, it is apparent that RMU is committed to advancing the knowledge of their employees as well.”
A special thanks to Dr. Mark Horacek, Asher Long, Cassidy Vela, David Payne, Linda Voss, Dr. Malissa Martin, Richard Peterson, and Stephanie Bentley who worked so hard to make UDW happen.
