OFA News

Burke Hilsabeck named Director of Faculty Relations

Ka Yong Kleiner — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:40:23 +0000

Burke Hilsabeck named Director of Faculty Relations Ka Yong Kleiner Wed, 04/30/2025 - 10:40

The Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) is excited to announce Burke Hilsabeck’s appointment as the new Director of Faculty Relations, effective June 1. Having served as Assistant Director over the past year, Hilsabeck brings a deep respect for the rhythms and realities of faculty life at ��ϳԹ�, and a clear commitment to making that life a little better.

We sat down with Hilsabeck to learn more about how his background has prepared him for this role and what he’s most excited to build alongside the ��ϳԹ� faculty community.

What exactly is Faculty Relations, and how does it support faculty members at ��ϳԹ�?

Faculty Relations supports faculty by helping them navigate the unique challenges of academic life. Faculty careers are distinct in ways that are sometimes invisible from the outside; it's a career path shaped by years—often more than a decade—of intensive postgraduate education, research and apprenticeship. Faculty members deeply value their autonomy, and because of that, the relationships faculty form with students, with colleagues, and with the institution carry a different weight and complexity.

In most professions, if you don’t get along with a colleague, you can move teams or companies. In academia, people often spend their entire careers within the same department. That reality makes conflict inevitable, and that is why it’s so important to build skills that don’t just resolve tension but bolster relationships over time.

You’ve worn a few different hats in your career. How do you think those experiences will shape how you show up in this faculty relations role?

Having been a faculty member and a department chair myself, I understand the various pressures faculty face, from achieving tenure to navigating professional isolation. I’ve also worked through conflicts that can arise in these tight-knit environments, whether between faculty and students, faculty and leadership, or among peers. That experience, combined with my background in teaching, really shapes how I approach this role. I also genuinely like faculty; I’m endlessly curious about their research, work and experiences. I took on this job because I want to help make faculty life better.

What core values or principles will guide your approach to faculty relations?

Empathy is at the heart of it. Faculty careers demand extraordinary dedication, often at the cost of personal bandwidth for relational work, and that reality needs to be met with open-mindedness and compassion. I also believe in patience and a long-term perspective. Sometimes, the processes we have in place can feel difficult in the moment, but when used well, they exist to protect and support faculty over the course of their careers. Faculty Relations is about helping faculty thrive not just individually, but within their communities.

What are you most excited to dig into in your first few months in the role?

I’m excited to work with Jennifer Fluri, who serves as one of the faculty directors in OFA, to expand restorative practices in the faculty relations context as well as on our campus. We’ve already seen some early success there, and I believe strongly that these approaches—centered on dialogue, trust and understanding—fit the needs of faculty life especially well.

My goal in the next few months is to also continue building relationships across campus. In a distributed, high-achieving environment like ours, faculty don’t always have the opportunity to connect beyond the demands of their work. I want to help create spaces where faculty can build relationships—places where people can talk, relate and work through challenges together.

Are there any misconceptions about faculty relations you’d like to clear up?

One important thing to understand is that Faculty Relations is not here to provide administrative oversight or to enforce campus policies in a punitive way. We exist to advise and support faculty and academic leaders as they navigate complex, often unfamiliar territory—policies, processes, expectations—so they can continue focusing on what they do best. Additionally, our goal is not to have faculty avoid conflict altogether, but to help them experience conflict in a way that deepens relationships.

Outside of your professional life, what brings you balance and keeps you grounded?

Meditation is a big part of my life. It gives me the equilibrium I try to bring into my work with faculty—being calm even when things feel complicated or difficult. I also find energy and joy in my family. I have two kids, and family life, like academic life, is full of challenges and conflicts. It teaches you patience and perspective—skills I use every day in this role.

And, against my better judgment, I’ve recently taken up running! It’s humbling but a good reminder that progress often comes slowly and requires a lot of patience.

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Suzanne Soled retires after nearly a decade of service to ��ϳԹ� faculty

Ka Yong Kleiner — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:29:55 +0000

Suzanne Soled retires after nearly a decade of service to ��ϳԹ� faculty Ka Yong Kleiner Wed, 04/30/2025 - 10:29

Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Support Suzanne Soled will be retiring effective June 1, as she looks ahead to her next chapter beyond ��ϳԹ�.

Soled has served the Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) since January 2016, when she was hired to lead the campus’ efforts in enhancing faculty relations and promoting professional conduct in faculty life. Recognizing the need for a more proactive approach, she expanded her role by establishing programs that prioritized faculty professional development, mentorship and community-building.

Reflecting on her impact, Vice Chancellor Michele Moses shared, “Suzanne helped to improve faculty culture at ��ϳԹ� by inspiring academic leaders to act with duty and care, especially given their roles in guiding and mentoring their colleagues. She believed that small, right actions could build lasting change and she advised faculty on this every day. Her leadership leaves an indelible mark on our faculty community.

We sat down with Soled to reflect on her time at ��ϳԹ�.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your time here at ��ϳԹ�?

When I think about where I’ve made the biggest difference, three things really stand out.

First, I’ve worked and consulted with thousands of faculty members over the years—helping them navigate challenges, resolve issues causing conflicts, and foster a more positive and productive working environment on campus. Conflicts are a part of everyday life, but they do not have to derail relationships or progress in the workplace.

Another thing I’m proud of is building the faculty development and support domain in OFA. We’ve built a suite of programs and trainings that not only support the professional growth, development and advancement of faculty members, but also create community-building opportunities through mentoring and networking across departments and disciplines.

And of course, launching the Academic Leaders Institute (ALI) has been a highlight in my time here. It has become a vital resource for academic leaders at ��ϳԹ�, offering guidance, orientation, onboarding and professional development to help them lead with confidence and care.

What will you miss most about working at ��ϳԹ�?

Making a difference every day. I am a teacher, facilitator and mentor at heart. I often think of myself as a bridge, helping others overcome challenges on their journeys. Throughout my 40-year higher education career, I have been most animated by roles in which I was able to contribute to a community, to collaborate with and facilitate the work of others. Whether I was a faculty member, an academic administrator, or in this role in faculty relations, I found immense satisfaction in positively impacting the (organizations and) lives of the people I have worked with.

Can you think of a moment or an event that really captures the essence of your work, that reminds you of why you do the job you do and the rewards of doing it?

I mediated a challenging situation between a faculty member and an academic leader about how to work together. Six months later, I learned they had become role models for other faculty in their unit on how to work through conflict. While my help made an immediate difference for them, it ended up impacting many others and, ultimately, improving the overall culture of the unit.

What is unique about ��ϳԹ�’s faculty culture compared to other universities?

I don’t know if everyone recognizes how unique and remarkable the Professional Rights and Responsibilities of Faculty Members and Roles and Professional Responsibilities of Academic Leaders (PRR) document is among higher education institutions. It has the potential to have an enormous impact on shaping a more positive working environment on campus.

I think it is what really grounds our ��ϳԹ� faculty culture; the PRR started with faculty, through the BFA, in creating clear standards for professional conduct. But what makes the PRR stand out is how it lays out not just expectations, but also practical guidance on what to do when concerns come up. It sets a baseline for cooperation, collegiality and professionalism as a scholar, while also protecting due process rights for faculty.

And what is especially powerful is that it is codified as an academic policy. That gave it real weight and made it part of our shared governance. The PRR provides a flexible and transparent process for addressing unprofessional conduct and emphasizes options for resolution.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out as an academic leader today?

I would offer five key pieces of advice:

Be collaborative. You’ll get better buy-in if you engage in shared decision-making.
Be transparent, even when you have to make decisions that aren’t popular, and you will build trust.
Invest in your people, connect with them personally, and support them professionally; everyone will feel happier and be more productive.
Approach situations with curiosity rather than judgment. Listen to all sides before making a decision.
Know that you are not alone! If you don’t know something, reach out. Our campus has resources to help you.

What will you be doing in the next stage of your life?

Being a genealogist unraveling the intricate tapestry of my family history, a memorable memoirist and the coolest, most engaged grandparent I can be!

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Supporting faculty amid uncertainty: A conversation with Michele Moses

Ka Yong Kleiner — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:03:41 +0000

Supporting faculty amid uncertainty: A conversation with Michele Moses Ka Yong Kleiner Wed, 03/26/2025 - 09:03

Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Michele Moses has led the Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) for the past five years, guiding efforts to enhance faculty development opportunities, fostering cross-campus collaboration, and adopting a more supportive and consultative approach in its operations. Under her leadership, OFA has prioritized faculty support, created new leadership pathways, and engaged with faculty and academic leaders to understand and address their concerns.

Looking ahead, the office remains focused on advancing faculty success and refining OFA's services to meet evolving needs. Below, Moses shares insights on these priorities and OFA’s role in advocating for faculty and enhancing their experience at ��ϳԹ�.

As the federal landscape shifts, what challenges and opportunities do you anticipate for faculty and how is OFA preparing to address them?

This is an uncertain and unsettling time for our faculty, to be sure. Faculty are navigating a range of complex challenges, from supporting students who may feel vulnerable to balancing their own ethical commitments while ensuring they foster inclusive conversations in the classroom. From OFA’s perspective, we’re especially aware of the growing number of faculty who are struggling to secure funding and access the data they need for their research. Many are also navigating an unpredictable sociopolitical climate where their scholarly areas—such as climate change, diversity and equity, gender identities, or environmental justice—are coming under increased scrutiny. These challenges, in turn, can affect how faculty approach their career progression and promotion opportunities.

OFA has been collaborating with colleagues at other universities to share ideas and develop strategies to better support faculty. One key step we’ve taken is introducing an optional “Work Impact Statement” in promotion and tenure documents. This gives faculty a chance to explain how shifts in the federal landscape—such as limited funding or research restrictions—are affecting their work. By including this option, we’re helping promotion and tenure evaluation committees better understand the context in which faculty are pursuing their research and creative work.

We also continue to provide faculty with the support and resources they need to thrive. We’re offering workshops, individualized guidance, and building communities where faculty can exchange ideas and strategies. Our goal is to help faculty feel confident as they navigate these complexities, and faculty should feel welcome to reach out to OFA at any time.

How is OFA helping to protect faculty academic freedom and providing the support faculty need to thrive in their teaching, research and creative work?

Academic freedom is a core pillar of our academic mission, and we understand how essential it is for faculty to engage with diverse ideas and express their views without fear of reprisal or censorship. It's equally important for our ��ϳԹ� community to have a shared understanding of what academic freedom means—what it is, how it applies to our faculty and students, and what our rights and responsibilities are.

To support this, we’re focused on providing more education around the importance of academic freedom. This includes collaborating with the Chancellor’s Office and campus shared governance groups to co-sponsor events about federal governance and academic freedom. These events allow faculty and the ��ϳԹ� community to engage with experts, ask important questions and explore how changing policies may impact their academic work and personal lives. I especially encourage our ��ϳԹ� community members to join us in a conversation on April 15 on academic freedom.

It’s important that we stay grounded in our governing principles, including CU Regent Law, which codifies the right to academic freedom and ensures that our faculty (and students) have a solid foundation for their academic rights, particularly in the face of external pressures or shifts in the political landscape.

Faculty development has been a major focus during your tenure. What are your top priorities for strengthening faculty success and fostering a sense of community across ��ϳԹ�’s diverse faculty?

We’re actively refining our current faculty development offerings into a more coherent and coordinated suite of programs across the faculty career lifecycle. This means tailoring initiatives for different stages of a faculty member's career, starting with developing resources for prospective faculty, providing more unified early-career support, and building on our current mentoring and leadership programs. We plan to place a stronger emphasis on addressing timely topics through workshops and events that respond to the current challenges and opportunities faculty members and academic leaders face, ensuring our offerings stay relevant and impactful.

We also continue to bring in faculty directors and fellows into OFA to lead our programming, giving faculty a key role in shaping initiatives and supporting each other. This creates more leadership opportunities, allowing faculty to influence decisions and help build a stronger, more collaborative community on campus.

Ultimately, OFA’s goal is to help create a campus culture where faculty feel valued, supported and seen. We want faculty to know that we are working to protect and advocate for their interests.

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Faculty Affairs focused on fostering a stronger faculty community

Ka Yong Kleiner — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:28:22 +0000

Faculty Affairs focused on fostering a stronger faculty community Ka Yong Kleiner Thu, 10/12/2023 - 09:28

The Office of Faculty Affairs continues to enhance faculty development offerings this year with a special focus on building community among various faculty populations within the university. From writing circles to women+ faculty socials, there’s something for everyone to engage in.

Why it matters:

Faculty members who are part of a supportive community in a positive work environment are more likely to report higher job satisfaction and lower burnout rates.
Close-knit faculty communities lead to increased collaboration, higher productivity, and better student outcomes.

Mark your calendars:

International Faculty: Join us at a luncheon on Nov. 15 to meet peers from across campus and discuss issues of interest to our community.
Faculty of Color: The annual welcome and recognition celebration event organized in collaboration with the Faculty of Color & Friends Affinity Group will be held Oct. 27. Email for more information.
Women+ Faculty: Meet other women+ faculty at the Dec. 1 fall luncheon.
Faculty SPACE: Interested in no-agenda meetups? Faculty SPACE is held monthly with events this fall on Nov. 9 and Dec. 6.

Driving the news:

��ϳԹ� was recently selected as one of eight public research universities to participate in an APLU-led initiative aimed at identifying growth opportunities around faculty recruitment, hiring, retention, and culture.

Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Michele Moses leads this effort, in close partnership with leaders from the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and Applied Science, Research and Innovation Office, and the institutional research team from the Office of Data Analytics.

“Through our participation in the APLU’s Aspire Alliance Institutional Change Network, we hope to better understand and create campus conditions that nurture a sense of belonging and support among our faculty, especially those who have been underrepresented in their fields and on campus,” Moses said.

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OFA News

Burke Hilsabeck named Director of Faculty Relations

What exactly is Faculty Relations, and how does it support faculty members at ���ϳԹ�?

You’ve worn a few different hats in your career. How do you think those experiences will shape how you show up in this faculty relations role?

What core values or principles will guide your approach to faculty relations?

What are you most excited to dig into in your first few months in the role?

Are there any misconceptions about faculty relations you’d like to clear up?

Outside of your professional life, what brings you balance and keeps you grounded?

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Suzanne Soled retires after nearly a decade of service to ���ϳԹ� faculty

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your time here at ���ϳԹ�?

What will you miss most about working at ���ϳԹ�?

Can you think of a moment or an event that really captures the essence of your work, that reminds you of why you do the job you do and the rewards of doing it?

What is unique about ���ϳԹ�’s faculty culture compared to other universities?

What advice would you give to someone just starting out as an academic leader today?

What will you be doing in the next stage of your life?

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Supporting faculty amid uncertainty: A conversation with Michele Moses

As the federal landscape shifts, what challenges and opportunities do you anticipate for faculty and how is OFA preparing to address them?

How is OFA helping to protect faculty academic freedom and providing the support faculty need to thrive in their teaching, research and creative work?

Faculty development has been a major focus during your tenure. What are your top priorities for strengthening faculty success and fostering a sense of community across ���ϳԹ�’s diverse faculty?

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Faculty Affairs focused on fostering a stronger faculty community

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What exactly is Faculty Relations, and how does it support faculty members at ��ϳԹ�?

Suzanne Soled retires after nearly a decade of service to ��ϳԹ� faculty

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your time here at ��ϳԹ�?

What will you miss most about working at ��ϳԹ�?

What is unique about ��ϳԹ�’s faculty culture compared to other universities?

Faculty development has been a major focus during your tenure. What are your top priorities for strengthening faculty success and fostering a sense of community across ��ϳԹ�’s diverse faculty?