Faculty Fellow for Fun creates space for faculty to connect and recharge

Behind Michelle Pass’ lighthearted title is a serious goal.

As UNC Charlotte’s inaugural Faculty Fellow for Faculty Engagement, Uplift and Networking, or FUN, Pass is charged with strengthening collegial relationships and enhancing the overall faculty experience at the University.

That means developing activities that bring faculty together across departments and colleges in informal, low-pressure settings where they can connect with one another and build a culture of appreciation and shared purpose.

“As the University has grown, it’s more difficult to meet other faculty members and form relationships,” said Pass, undergraduate program director in the Department of Biological Sciences. “This is a chance to take a breath while you’re at work — not just when you get home at the end of the day. For most of us, we don’t really take a break. We’re rushing and running all the time.”

There will be several opportunities to slow down and relax Oct. 5–9 during Fall Faculty Flourish Week, when faculty can connect with colleagues and explore resources that support their professional growth and well-being.

Organized by the Center for ADVANCing Faculty Success in collaboration with units across campus, Fall Faculty Flourish Week began last fall and, along with Spring Faculty Flourish Week, offers a recurring opportunity for faculty to come together outside their usual routines.

“There are so many units on campus that support faculty,” said Tehia Glass, associate provost for faculty success. “My goal has always been to bring us all together during this week to support this work collaboratively.”

Highlights of Fall Faculty Flourish Week

• The week begins Monday, Oct. 5, with a drop-in writing session where faculty can bring anything from a course syllabus or CV to a manuscript, grant proposal or creative project and spend dedicated time writing alongside colleagues.
• Tuesday includes the Fall Faculty/Staff Social from 4 to 6 p.m. in Lambla Gallery and the College of Arts + Architecture’s Faculty & Friends Concert featuring the Charlotte Strings Collective at 7:30 p.m. in Rowe Gallery.
• Thursday offers a full slate of wellness activities, including a walk through the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, scheduled chair massages, workout classes at University Recreation, a stress-reduction workshop and a “Bad Art” experience in the Area 49 Makerspace where faculty and staff of all artistic abilities can express themselves through a variety of media.
• Faculty Flourish Week concludes Friday with service opportunities, including writing thank-you cards to local teachers and donating toiletries to the Jamil Niner Student Pantry or professional clothing to the Career Center.

“We can enjoy being faculty by also serving others,” Glass said. “Just like we need uplift, there are other folks in our community who also need uplift.”

The range of activities during Fall Faculty Flourish Week reflects Pass’ broad definition of fun.

“Fun is getting out on this campus and taking advantage of what it offers, and actually stepping away from responsibilities and relaxing,” she said.

After becoming the Faculty Fellow for Fun last academic year, Pass organized multiple activities to create space for faculty across campus, including gentle yoga, a healthy meal prep class and an outing to a 49ers basketball game.

“You sign up for an event and it gives you a chance to decompress, step away from your work for an hour or so and do something that’s about mental health or well-being,” Pass said.

Success isn’t measured solely by the number of faculty members reached. The goal is for faculty who participate to leave feeling that the experience was worth making time for.

It’s also about giving faculty permission to step away from their responsibilities, something Pass said can be difficult in a profession where the work never stops.

“We give, give, give all the time. It can become exhausting,” she said. “So, it’s good to have space where the University says, ‘We value you and appreciate what you’re doing, and we want times built in throughout the semester where you can take a break and relax.’”

Creating intentional moments for connection and enjoyment, she said, is one way the University can remind faculty that their well-being matters.

“We want faculty to have a reason to stay on campus and do something engaging and fun,” Pass said. “This is about intentionally creating opportunities for faculty to relax, enjoy campus, enjoy each other and maybe meet new people or collaborators, without the expectation that you’re coming just to talk about work.”

Written by: Bernie Petit