»Faculty and Academic Partnerships

Chapman faculty are always welcome to join us in the residence halls. Research shows that faculty interaction outside of the classroom is directly linked to student retention, enhanced learning, and increased social and intellectual development (Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005). Want to have a discussion with students, eat in the dining hall, or take a tour? The Resident Advisors and staff of Residence Life and First Year Experience are happy to host you!

Residence Life & First Year Experience is eager to assist you in coordinating an experiential learning opportunity to help students connect classroom curriculum to the world beyond Chapman University. Some ideas include:

• Visit a business, factory, worksite to learn about business practices
• Cook cultural cuisine in dining hall kitchen
• Explore local museum, cultural center, place of worship, neighborhood, etc.
• Host movie screening night and hold discussion after film
• Engage in a community service activity
• Play casual game of basketball, soccer, pool, chess, cards, etc.
• Hold a language lunch based around students all speaking/practicing a foreign language
• Give a mini-lecture based on research, a class, or an upcoming lecture
• Go on a hike, run, or walk
• Explore a new cuisine at a local restaurant
• Pull together current events and host a discussion
• Hold a discussion in the residence halls based on faculty member’s experience in educational and work
• Teach a hands-on craft (i.e. beading, dancing, painting, etc.)
• Climb the Doti-Struppa Rockwall
• Host a study night in the residence halls based on a particular subject
• Go to an on campus or off campus play, concert, sporting event, etc.
• Provide a free lesson (e.g. interviewing for a job, playing an instrument, speaking a language)
• Bring a guest speaker to a meet and greet before a campus engagement

Would you like to gather students after class hours to have a discussion, share a meal, or watch a film? The residence halls are an easy and convenient place to host these types of learning experiences. Here are some of our more popular locations:

• Henley Hall, John Biggs Conference Room: open, multipurpose room with 50 moveable chairs
• Henley Media Room: smaller room with large screen TV and 20 comfortable chairs
• Morlan Lounge & Kitchen: multipurpose room with couches and tables; small kitchen is attached
• Davis Community Center: open, multipurpose room with couches and TV
• Hall Lounges: every hall has small lounges fit for small group meetings and study space
• Panther Village clubhouse
• Chapman Grand lobby & exterior courtyards

If you would like to bring your class to one of these locations, contact Assistant Director, Joseph Koluder.

Every April Residence Life & First Year Experience hosts a Faculty Appreciation Reception. Before the reception students are given the opportunity to nominate faculty they have worked with in and out of the classroom in each of the categories and based on the nominations and student submitted explanations for their nominations staff selects recipients in each of the award categories.

The reception is a wonderful celebration of the gratitude Residence Life & First Year Experience has for faculty and a great reminder for students to thank the faculty that go above and beyond the job description. To see each of the most recent nominees and recipients click on the headings.

My Favorite Professor Award Winners:

• Recipient 2018: Dr. Sara Labelle
• Recipient 2017: Dr. Jason Keller 
• Recipient 2016: Dr. Stephanie Takaragawa
• Recipient 2015: Michael Nehring
• Recipient 2014: Dr. Jan Osborn
• Recipient 2013: Jessica Sternfeld
• Recipient 2012: David Berkovitz
• Recipient 2011: Dr. Richard Resureccion