The Expanding Excellence series is a joint effort by the Learning Enhancement Center and iTech. Its purpose is to draw attention to existing programs on campus that offer development opportunities to faculty and staff in the areas of teaching and technology, and supplement these programs with additional workshops, lectures, or training sessions. The Expanding Excellence series is a year-round, ongoing effort at Southern Miss.

During the first half of 1997 there were a number of groups on campus focusing on the need for faculty development programs, staff training in technology, and workshops in instructional resources, including the Faculty Senate, the Teaching and Learning with Technology Roundtable (TLTR), the University Libraries, and the newly formed Office of Technology Resources, now known as iTech. Specific ideas for Expanding Excellence came from Southern Miss. faculty and staff through a Planning Survey done by a TLTR committee.

Potentially everyone at Southern Miss will benefit. Faculty and staff will both benefit from having better knowledge of what sort of training is available (or can be arranged) for software products or hardware, from word processing to creation of multimedia materials. Anyone involved in instruction will benefit from discussions and workshops on teaching or learning styles, instructional technology, or other education-related issues. Students will ultimately benefit from having faculty and staff with expanded knowledge and abilities deliver services and instruction to them.

Brown Bags and presentations will be delivered to Southern Miss faculty and staff largely by other Southern Miss faculty and staff.

Anyone is welcome to attend an Expanding Excellence program — just sign up! The only exceptions may be hands-on training sessions where advance registration and limited numbers are necessary for space purposes. If you would be willing to share your experience with instructional issues or projects, or technology training, Let us know! Contact the Learning Enhancement Center at 266-5518.