TLC: Spring 2022 Faculty Development Day

The second professional development day is intended for all employees who teach and is designed to give faculty the opportunity to reflect on teaching practices, refine pedagogy, and ensure learning excellence. The Teaching-Learning Center (TLC) Advisory Committee, with the support of the Office of the President, designs and coordinates the learning activities for this day. The Teaching and Learning Professional Development Day will occur the day after grades are due for the Spring Semester. Although the College may remain open to the public, no classes (curriculum, continuing education, or adult education) will be scheduled on this date. Exceptions to class scheduling on this date must be approved by the Vice President. 

Note: The Faculty Development Day is not eligible for the Adjunct Teaching Institute stipend to allow for sufficient time to process stipends.

Wednesday, May 11, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., TLC, room 3-125 and online; boxed lunches provided

Guest Speaker: Dr. Sonny Kelly

Sonny Kelly is a world-class performer, storyteller, motivator, speaker, and comedian. He holds a Ph.D. in Communication & Performance Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill (2020). He is currently an instructor of Communication at Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville, NC, where he teaches Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, and Intercultural Communication.

Sonny is also a graduate of St. Mary’s University (MA, Communication Studies, 2008) and Stanford University (BA, International Relations, 1998).  

After serving our nation as a U.S. Air Force officer, Sonny has gone on to serve as a non-profit organization director, university admissions counselor, award-winning pharmaceutical salesman, college communications instructor, and church youth pastor. As a lover of theater and performance, Sonny has acted professionally on stage and on television for over 20 years. He is also a writer and director of live theater as well as the creator and co-host of the CrossOver radio show on WIDU Radio in Fayetteville, NC.  

As a professional storyteller, he has performed for the National Association of Black Storytellers, the Black Storytellers’ Alliance, as well as schools, businesses, and civic organizations across the country. He is a proud participant in the Fayetteville Cumberland County Arts Council's Artists in Schools.  

As a professor and scholar, Sonny's research and work focus on interpersonal communication, performance, critical pedagogy, and public speaking.  His research is based upon developing trauma-informed performance-based interventions to empower under-served youth to counter the School to Prison Pipeline. 

Video segment: The Talk