Our priority is to improve retention, persistence and the ultimate graduation of our students through improved educational and professional opportunities by supporting faculty and instructors.
The Teaching Matters Podcast
A podcast for faculty, by the Retention Faculty Fellows
This podcast is designed to connect faculty with tools, strategies, and campus resources that support student success and improve retention. Each episode will feature insights from colleagues across campus, highlight programs you can plug into right away, and share ideas that matter in the classroom and beyond.
Episode 1 - Faculty Collaboration Corner
A Conversation with Chelsea Dey
In this episode of the Teaching Matters podcast, Chelsea Dey, Lead Success Coach in the Office of Student Success, joins Sarah Taylor, Retention Fellow Coordinator and Senior Educator in the College of Health Professions, to introduce the new Faculty Collaboration Corner. Together, they explore practical ways faculty can connect students with success resources through tools, strategies, and classroom-ready ideas that build community and improve retention. From quick Shocker Sparks activities to in-depth learning labs and creative classroom remix events, Chelsea highlights flexible options that make it easy for faculty to integrate support and engagement into their courses.
Learn More! ARC Session Recording August 2025
Join the Student Success Team(s)! Email Kim.Sandlin@wichita.edu to be added to the MS Teams Faculty Collaboration Corner group and gain access to weekly messages, Student Success program information, and chat!
Episode 2 - Student Early Alert System (SEAS)
A Conversation with Kim Sandlin
In this episode, Sarah Taylor sits down with Kim Sandlin, Director of Student Success, to discuss why SEAS (Student Engagement & Advising System) is such a vital tool for tracking student progress and fostering engagement. They also explain how success coaches become involved in the process to provide personalized guidance and support. Listeners will gain practical ideas for improving student outcomes, strengthening faculty-student relationships, and leveraging SEAS to make a meaningful impact on student success.
Message for faculty to communicate the purpose of SEAS to students:
SEAS (the Student Early Alert System) is a tool used by faculty to identify students
who, if they continue with their current academic behavior, are in danger of not doing
well in their course. Faculty may go into the system at any time during the semester
to flag your academic behavior for attendance, participation, assignments, quizzes
and exams. The instructor will then send you an email encouraging you to seek assistance
from them or other university resources. When you get the email you are not in trouble.
It is a nudge for you to look at your current habits and see how you can improve.
This message will also include a link to "raise your hand" virtually for assistance
from the Student Success team if you need it.
Episode 3 - Shocker Teaching Community of Practice
Email Brett Peterson-Bruner for more information brett.bruner@wichita.edu 
A Conversation with Dr. Trevor Nelson
In this episode of Teaching Matters, Irma Puskarevic sits down with Dr. Trevor Nelson, Assistant Professor of Musicology at Wichita State University. Trevor shares insights from his experience in the Shocker Teaching Community of Practice and discusses how the program has shaped his approach to teaching, building community, and supporting student success. Listeners will hear practical strategies, lessons learned, and what students can expect to see in his classroom as a result of this work. This episode offers an inside look at how faculty across campus are advancing inclusive, student-centered teaching at WSU.
Episode 4 - Campus Assessment Response Evaluation (CARE) Team
A Conversation with Alicia Newell
Join Cindi Mason as she sits down with Alicia Newell, Assistant Vice President of Student Services and Chair of Wichita State University’s CARE Team. In this episode of Teaching Matters, Alicia explains how the CARE Team supports student well-being through early intervention, holistic care, and connection to critical campus and community resources. Faculty will learn what red flags to look for, when to submit a CARE report, and how proactive outreach can make a meaningful difference in student success and retention. This conversation offers practical insights, important context about student needs, and clear steps to help us create a more supportive learning environment for all Shockers.
Episode 5 - Faculty Advancement, Retention, and Excellence (FARE)
A Conversation with Debby Hinsdale
In this episode of Teaching Matters, Cindi Mason sits down with Debby Hinsdale, Faculty Development Coordinator for FARE (Faculty Advancement, Retention, and Excellence), to explore how this new office helps WSU faculty thrive. Debby shares how FARE connects faculty to resources, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities across campus, highlights key programs and events like the Faculty Research Collaborative and writing sprints, and explains how faculty at all career stages can benefit. Tune in to learn practical ways to engage with FARE and take advantage of the support available to enhance your teaching, research, and professional growth.