Mindful Faculty = Mindful Students:
Putting Tested Methods into Practice

How can mindfulness practice help you manage your stress as a faculty member and, in turn, help your students achieve their academic goals? Join your colleagues and your certified mindfulness teacher/facilitator, Michael Kimball (Professor, Department of Anthropology; Director, UNC Center for Applied Contemplative Studies), in a learning community dedicated to answering this question. Participants in this community will learn a set of scientifically validated mindfulness techniques, explore a new Canvas-based Mindfulness for Academic Success Toolkit, and collaborate on effective ways to integrate mindfulness into their respective curricula and classrooms. People with all levels of mindfulness practice experience, from newbies to seasoned practitioners, are welcome!

Learning Outcomes

• Develop and Apply Mindfulness Techniques: Employing a curriculum developed by the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging adults, participants will be able to learn a variety of scientifically validated mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques.
• Utilize the Mindfulness for Academic Success Toolkit: To enhance their teaching practices and support students' academic achievements, participants will learn the mindfulness-based techniques presented in the Canvas-based Mindfulness Toolkit for Academic Success.
• Collaborate on Mindfulness Integration Strategies: Participants will actively collaborate with peers to develop and implement effective strategies for incorporating mindfulness practices into their classrooms, tailored to diverse levels of mindfulness experience among both faculty and students.

Tentative Outline/Schedule:

• Mindfulness Training: Four weekly, 75-minute sessions, with check-in, mindfulness tool instruction and practice, and discussion.
• Mindfulness for Academic Success Toolkit (MAST): A discussion following exploration of the Canvas-based module.

MAST is designed to equip undergraduate students with practical mindfulness techniques to enhance their academic performance and overall well-being. Through engaging podcast episodes, guided meditation practices, and optional readings, students explore the fundamentals of mindfulness and its application in various academic contexts. These modules cover essential topics such as preparing for class, managing exam and assignment stress, practicing deep reading, and building resilience to cope with discomfort. Students participate in mindfulness exercises and reflective assignments to deepen their understanding and practice of mindfulness, ultimately fostering a more focused, calm, and resilient approach to their studies and personal growth.

• Integrating Mindfulness into Your Curriculum: A discussion focused on how members’ mindfulness practice and insights gained from exploring the MAST can advance the development of a mindful classroom.

Delivery format/Location:

In person, on campus (location to be determined before start of first session)

Dates and times:

Mindfulness Training: October 2, 16, 23, 30, 5:30 - 6:45 pm
Mindfulness for Academic Success Toolkit: November 13, 5:30 - 6:45 pm
Integrating Mindfulness into Your Curriculum: November 27, 5:30 - 6:45 pm