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By David Simpson

How can Old Dominion University build a culture that stimulates innovation and improvement across campus?

Get ready to explore the topic in detail as the ���������� community reads and discusses “Becoming Great Universities: Small Steps for Sustained Excellence” (Princeton, 2022) by Richard J. Light and Allison Jegla.

The book anchors the spring 2023 Monday Meet Up series starting at noon Feb. 20 in the SGA Senate Chambers in Webb University Center. The series runs through April 17; sessions will also be .

Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., and members of the president’s cabinet will kick off the Feb. 20 session as the panel discusses chapters 1 and 4 with undergraduate student Hali Sanders. Other panels will delve into the book in coming weeks.

"Monday Meet Ups are a great opportunity for the whole campus to come together as an academic community, read a book and then brainstorm about ways to work towards continuous improvement," said Professor Annette Finley-Croswhite, director of the Center for Faculty Development, which is coordinating the series.  

“Becoming Great Universities” is based on the premise that every college or university can work collegially for sustained improvement, Finley-Croswhite said. The authors maintain that the changes they suggest can be implemented quickly, for little or no money.

The panel discussions last from noon to 1 p.m. The lineup is as follows:

• Feb. 20: “Building a Culture of Systemic Innovation, Sharing Responsibility, & Attracting Students”  
• Feb. 27: “Helping Students Succeed while Encouraging Them to Balance Risks & Talents”
• March 13: “Honoring Faculty Commitment to Teaching Innovation, Mentoring, & Assessment”
• March 20: “Student Learning Experiences and Acting on Their Advice”
• March 27: “Promoting Positive Interactions Among Students of All Backgrounds”
• April 3: “Building Opportunities for Lifelong Learning and Engagement”                  
• April 10: “Inspiring Students to Think Globally”
• April 17: “Working Together to Advance Sustained Excellence”