This annual report of the 2019-2020 school year highlights the work of Faculty-In-Residence in supporting the academic mission on The Hill. In the 47th year of the program, 20 FIRs engaged with the students on topics from Immigrant Health and Justice to Funk vs. Hip Hop. Through Fiat Lux Courses, collaborative programs, and casual interactions, FIRs continued to provide students with opportunities to approach and relate to faculty members on a more personal level, learn about resources, and enhance their confidence and ability to interact with all faculty members despite the new challenges presented by COVID-19.
The 2019-2020 school year was kickstarted with our annual FIR training led by the Associate Director of Academics, Idriss Njike, and FIR Lead, Professor Neil Garg. During this time, the FIR team discussed programming ideas and set ambitious goals for the year, all focused on positively impacting the student experience. FIRs also utilized their retreat to the Getty Museum to promote inter-FIR interactions and coordinate team events, such as the signature Margherita Monday and Taco Tuesday programs held throughout the year.
In the 2019-2020 school year, we welcomed three new FIRs and said goodbye to three valued team members.
Dr. Nina Eidsheim
Dr. Rana Khankan
Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton
Dr. Sri Kosuri
Dr. John Cho
Dr. Keith Camacho
During the 2019-2020 school year, FIRs taught 18 Fiat Lux courses. Topics reflected UCLA's Centennial year as well as the COVID-19 global pandemic which emerged at the end of Winter Quarter 2019.
Dr. Chris Hanscom hosts a weekly running group every Thursday at 5:14 p.m. for stretching, conversation, and a group run. These runs are often followed up by smoothies or crepes with Dr. Chris. Runners also do an annual road race (the Bruin Run/Walk 5K) together. Running 101 participants have completed well over 100 runs since the program’s inception, and have had hundreds of residents participate over the years. In 2017, Running 101 was listed among the “Top 10 Perks” of living at UCLA by College Magazine.
*In Spring of 2020, Running 101 went virtual. Bruins around the World tracked their miles as a team using the Strava app. Students were encouraged to stay active by going on weekly walks or runs wherever they are and supporting each other through commenting and interacting on the app.
