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Co-sponsored by the Center for OHIO Employee Excellence, the Building Bobcats: New-to-OU Community Learning Program is a cohort-based, faculty-led community learning and engagement program.

The program is designed to provide participants with community-focused networking and learning opportunities. Specifically, program participants will be introduced to unique aspects of ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, the Athens community, and Appalachian Ohio by actively exploring the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ campus and surrounding community.

Structure

The program will be hosted in person on the Athens campus of ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. Participants will gather monthly in-person in Alden Library, Room 319 from 12:30 – 1:50 PM (September through April) on Tuesdays for 80-minute experiences and discussions. Program dates are Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Nov. 18, Dec. 9, Jan. 20, Feb. 10, Mar. 17, and April 7.

Meeting topics include ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, the Athens campus, the Athens community, and Appalachian Ohio. Monthly meetings will include invited guest speakers to share their stories and experiences.

To build a stronger Bobcat community within this cohort, participants will also have the opportunity to join monthly community-learning activities.

The 2025-26 program is organized and facilitated by OHIO faculty members Rebecca Dingus and Kristin Hepworth. 

Eligibility

Any full-time ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ faculty or academic staff who have been employed by ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ for five years or less are specifically encouraged to sign up for the program. However, all full-time ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ employees are welcome. (Note: the maximum number of participants will be 24; selection will be based on registration date.)

Please register for the Building Bobcats: New-to-OU Community Learning Program  no later than Friday, September 5 and then attend the first meeting on Tuesday, September 9 at 12:30 PM in Alden 319.

Please contact Dr. Katie Hartman (Vice Provost for Faculty Development; email: hartmank@ohio.edu) at or Suzanne Durst (Director, OHIO Center for Employee Excellence; email: dursts@ohio.edu) with questions or concerns.