The 2025 Magnolias Curriculum Project took place on May 21 and 22, bringing together 13 faculty participants from 13 different academic areas for the annual two-day curriculum workshop.
“I really appreciated how the Magnolias workshop combined focused work time, more abstract discussions of sustainability in the classroom, and the chance to connect with faculty across disciplines,” said Molly MacVeagh, Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Humanities. “I’m coming away from our two days of conversations feeling energized and inspired to rethink my course design.”
Dr. Henslee introduced a learning outcome improvisation activity that was facilitated with groups of faculty in three learning spaces across Reynolda, as a new element this year.
“The pedagogical improv activity was incredibly useful as a practical exercise in rethinking how I approach course assignments,” said Chris Zaluski, Program Director of the Documentary Film Program. “The activity – and the workshop in general – allowed us to break out of our academic silos. We worked with faculty from across academic disciplines, which broadened my perspectives and allowed me to meet and interact with wonderful colleagues.”
Participants also enjoyed a resource expert panel exploring Politics and Pedagogy: Dialogue in the Classroom, a session co-facilitated by Betsy Barre, Assistant Provost and Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching, and Deb Marke, Associate Director for Democratic Engagement and Justice Programs in the Office of Civic & Community Engagement.
“To build trust and engage students who might otherwise be resistant to the ideas in your course, they should not be the only ones asked to defend their views with evidence,” Barre said. “Many of your students may have arrived at the ‘correct’ view but for the wrong reasons. If you ask all students to provide evidence for every claim, it becomes the standard practice in your course, rather than an attempt to challenge only those with the ‘wrong’ views.”
Day one brought the group to the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, a central location that was used to explore nearby sustainability learning spaces – the Reynolda Trails, Piedmont Prairie Meadow, and Lake Katharine – and connect to the history of the land.
Day two of the workshop took place at Wake Downtown, welcoming guest speakers and alumni from the program to join in a reception to continue the discussion.
“Hosting the workshop at the Reynolda House for the first time and at Wake Downtown provided opportunities for faculty to visit on-campus sustainability learning spaces and envision ways these spaces can support their course learning outcomes,” said Krista Stump, Manager of Engaged and Experiential Learning for the Office of Sustainability.
The Magnolias Curriculum Project began in 2012 and has continued to evolve in its delivery, though the primary formula remains the same: faculty members commit to two days of interactive sessions, field trips, guided discussions, and working time to enhance one of their courses – or develop a new one – with thoughtful inclusion of sustainability topics.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded faculty and staff for authentic conversation and fruitful idea generation,” said Amanda Corris, Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy. “I had had my eye on the Magnolias Curriculum Project since coming to Wake and am so grateful for the chance to participate.”
Faculty from a wide range of disciplines joined this year, including from:
- Counseling
- Documentary Film Program
- English
- Environment and Sustainability Studies
- Finance in School of Business
- German and Russian
- Interdisciplinary Humanities Program
- Philosophy
- Program for Leadership and Character
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Writing Program
- ZSR Library
This year’s 13 participants join the growing cohort of over 130 Wake Forest faculty members who have participated in the program since it started.
Congratulations to our newest Magnolias Curriculum Project alumni:
- Amanda Corris
- Christopher Zaluski
- Eunice Jianping Hu
- Kaitlin Moore
- Lauren Miller
- Lindy Westenhoff
- Matthew Childs
- Meghan Webb
- Molly MacVeagh
- Rianka Roy
- Sarah Moore
- Sebastian Terneus
- Tilan Tang