Now Brewing @ CAFE - September 10, 2025

DISSECTING AN AI: MATH & COMPUTER SCIENCE COLLOQUIUM

Speaker: Dan Funk, CEO of SpiffWorks—an AI Company in Staunton, VA
When: Tuesday, September 16, 4:00 p.m.
Where: 356 Rotunda
Mr. Funk will walk through how large language models (LLMs) are built—one “level of abstraction” at a time. The talk is designed to be accessible to a general audience while still exploring the technical details. Faculty can follow along on their laptops as he demonstrates the inner workings of AI, including why AIs sometimes “hallucinate.” This interactive session will not only provide insight into the technical aspects of AI but will also help faculty better understand how to approach student use of these tools in the classroom. Please contact Robert Marmorstein @ marmorsteinrm@longwood.edu with any questions.

I’M TENURED!  WHAT NOW?
Facilitator: Dr. Renee Gutiérrez
When: September 16, 2025, 3:30-5:00 pm
Where: Allen 308
Register @ https://forms.gle/5pphoMxRWuHSmAyCA 

If you’re within a year or two of having earned tenure, join us for a reflective workshop that can help you think through your mid-career academic opportunities. 

FOCUSED PRODUCTIVITY SESSIONS
Join CAFE for Pomodoro sessions again this semester. All faculty and staff are welcome. The sessions use a focused cycle: set a goal, work towards it for 25 minutes, and then take a five-minute break. You will repeat the cycle three times. Choose the session that fits your needs:

MEDITATION
Dates: Tuesday and Thursday
Time: 11:30 am-12:00 pm
Location: Zoom https://longwood-edu.zoom.us/j/95744314696

Mindfulness meditation can significantly improve your mental well-being by helping you manage stress, enhance focus and concentration, and better understand your emotions, all potentially leading to a calmer and more centered life. Current research also indicates potential benefits for physical health, like lowered blood pressure and improved sleep quality.  Join Renee Gutiérrez to create a pause in your day. All are welcome for a brief, guided meditation; no previous experience is required.

CIVITAE: SUPPORT FOR TEACHING SPEAKING-INFUSED COURSES FROM ISABEL FAY
If you are teaching (or planning) a speaking-infused course, as Civitae’s speaking coordinator, I’d love to support you in any of these areas:

• Creating speaking assignments that meet course learning outcomes
• Assessing speaking assignments according to assignment goals
• Designing speaking courses
• Unpacking Civitae’s speaking outcome
• Exploring speech pedagogy

You can reach out to Isabel Fay at fayi@longwood.edu to schedule an individual consultation or stop by during my walk-in hours on Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Allen 214 (no appointment is needed).

COMING SOON
Faculty Learning Communities--small, interdisciplinary groups of faculty who meet regularly over a semester or year to explore a shared theme, exchange ideas, and support one another in improving teaching, scholarship, and professional growth.
GenAI, Teaching, and Learning Faculty Learning Communities

• Research/Scholarship Faculty Learning Communities

Workshops

• Advising Workshop, September 30, 3:30-5:00 pm
• Saving for Retirement, October 28, 3:30-5:00 pm
• Faculty–Alumni Connections: A LinkedIn Workshop, November 10, 3:30-5:00 pm 

SYNC YOUR CALENDARS: 2025-2026 CAFE SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
Pre-Semester Pedagogy Series                     January 7-9, 2026
Faculty Well-Being Week                              March 30-April 3, 2026
2026 Teaching and Learning Institute           May 13, 2026