The First-Year Composition Program at UNC Pembroke hosted a retreat on March 24, 2023. The event featured presentations, collaborative sessions, and breakfast and lunch for English faculty members.

     “The First-Year Composition (FYC) Committee wanted to create an opportunity for FYC faculty to come together, in an informal environment, to share teaching ideas; to share experiences, concerns, and questions; and to strengthen our sense of community,” said Dr. Nikki Agee, Director of the First-Year Composition Program.

     During the retreat, Dr. Rachael Zeleny presented her work on creating “Escape Rooms” as learning tools. Zeleny is an Assistant Professor of the Klein Family School of Communications and Design as well as Writing Program Director at the University of Baltimore.  Zeleny demonstrated a number of technological applications to get students actively participating in the learning process.

     The retreat also included a presentation by Dr. Rachel Robinson-Zetzer, who is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of Core Writing at Fairfield University. Robinson-Zetzer focused on embodying emotions in an interactive workshop designed to help faculty members model how to navigate emotions in the academic environment. She also engaged UNCP English faculty members in embodiment practices that they can use with their students.

     “The committee was delighted to be able to hold this event this year with speakers who shared both practical and theoretical information related to composition pedagogy. We hope to make this a recurring professional development opportunity,” said Dr. Robin Snead, a member of the FYC Committee.

     The retreat also included breakout sessions facilitated by FYC Committee members. Dr. Cyndi Miecznikowski, Dr. Virginia Garnett, and Dr. Elise Dixon moderated sessions on creating successful assignments, revising assignments for greater success, and improving course design in Canvas.

     “We would like to thank our department chair, Dr. Wendy Miller, who supported our efforts; Teaching and Learning Center Director, Dr. Scott Hicks, who funded our speakers’ honoraria, Dean of the University College and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success, Dr. Derek Oxendine, who funded breakfast and lunch; FYC Committee members, Dr. Cyndi Miecznikowski, Dr. Elise Dixon, Dr. Robin Snead, and Dr. Virginia Garnett, who worked tirelessly for months on the event; English faculty members, who donated books for our fundraiser; and, of course, all of the FYC faculty who attended,” added Dr. Agee.