About CAFE

New faculty looking at a CAFE presentation
Learn about the values and history of the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE), and contact the CAFE team below. If you want to request support from CAFE or have ideas for CAFE programming, don't hesitate to reach out to us at uaa_cafe@alaska.edu. 

 

CAFE Values

Our values align with the UAA 2027 Strategic Plan: 

  • Excellence through Innovation: We are committed to finding and applying new ideas and best practices in teaching and learning that are informed by research and are in support of the needs of all UAA faculty and students.
  • Collaboration: We believe that collaboration and partnership are key to building welcoming and supportive learning communities. We collaborate with our partners to develop programming that serves all UAA faculty by initiating and sustaining collegial conversations about teaching and learning, mentorship, leadership, and more.
  • Recognition: We promote a culture of recognition and celebration that increases visibility for UAA faculty, promotes department and university strengths, and celebrates our collective achievements.

History

The Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE) traces its roots to 1988, when faculty members Kate O’Dell (Education), Becky Patterson Bunde (English), and Kate Sandberg (English) founded the Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) to promote excellence in teaching at UAA. In 1997, the creation of the Faculty Senate and its Professional Development Committee, along with the Newcomers Committee, expanded efforts to support faculty development and onboarding.

Recognizing the need for a more coordinated approach, these groups jointly proposed the establishment of a dedicated faculty development center. In 2000, Provost Dan Johnson approved funding for what became CAFE. The Center officially opened on September 28, 2000, with Lauren Bruce (Communication) as its first Director and Libby Roderick as Associate Director. In subsequent years, Lynn Koshiyama (Accounting), Judy Green (Library Science), and Shawnalee Whitney (Communication) served as CAFE Director.

Since its conception, CAFE has grown into a vibrant hub for faculty development. CAFE offers programs such as Teaching Academies, New Faculty Orientation, Difficult Dialogues, Communities of Practice, Headwaters, Confluence, and numerous other initiatives supporting responsible, ethical, and evidence-based teaching, community engagement, academic leadership, and more!

Our Team

907-786-4466
Janelle Sikorski, Director of Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence
907-786-4466
jjsikorski2@alaksa.edu

 

Email CAFE

Faculty Success Employee Directory

Faculty Success
Library 213 â€¢ 907-786-4496 â€¢ uaa_facultysuccess@alaska.edu â€¢ Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.