Dr. Tom Shields, chair of the SPCS graduate education program and associate professor of education and leadership studies, received the Distinguished Faculty Service Award for the School of Professional and Continuing Studies during University of Richmond Colloquy on Wednesday, August 20.
SPCS Faculty

Updates & General Information
Tell us your story. Update your online bio. Find out who sits on SPCS committees. And review the list of program chairs. If you need additional details, information, review details below.faculty appointments
active adjunct faculty members
average number of students in SPCS classes
Important Dates
Effective Teaching Tools
Effective teaching is at the heart of the School, part of the fabric of the Richmond experience. The resources provided below offer tips and tools for faculty training and improvement, along with links to forms and resources needed to teach and administer classes effectively.





Resources for All Faculty
Improving Instruction
The Innovations in Teaching framework defines teaching innovations along 14 dimensions. SPCS gives an annual Innovations in Teaching Award to an adjunct faculty member who demonstrates innovative teaching practices. Nominations for the annual award are generally due in early December.
Our Online Resources for Teaching & Learning have been collected by a committee of adjunct and full-time faculty, spearheaded by Bob Spires and John Zinn. This collection is updated as new tools and resources become known and available.
Continuity of Instruction
The University has collected tips, resources and techniques for ensuring that students are able to continue making progress toward their degrees regardless of circumstances. Recent experience with the coronavirus pandemic reveals the importance of making a plan to continue instruction. The following summarizes primary recommendations:
- Determine multimedia needs ahead of time and prepare fail-safes.
- Prepare for emergencies and hazards
- Review planning recommendations for emergencies
- Develop an instructional continuity plan in case of class cancellation.
Campus Emergencies
In the case of an active shooter: Avoid. Deny. Defend. University of Richmond Police recommend watching this video illustrating the value and effectiveness of this response to an active shooter on campus.
All campus emergency alerts are posted to alert.richmond.edu and sent by email to your Richmond account. Log in to BannerWeb to opt into emergency communication by phone and text to ensure speedy receipt of emergency communications.
Prepare yourself for emergencies on campus by reviewing what you should do in case of natural disasters and other hazards when on campus.
Reminders
Faculty meetings are held early in the spring and fall semesters. SPCS Night and Commencement are held early in May.
You may wish to participate in Affirming Space Training to support members of Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community.
If you are interested in additional employment opportunities at Richmond, visit SPCS job postings or the HR online jobs site.
Free and discounted professional development opportunities are available for all faculty; review the list on the Adjunct Resources page.
Dean’s Impact Fund
The Dean’s Impact Fund provides annual, unrestricted financial support to advance the mission of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS). The fund is intended to strengthen student success and outcomes by supporting initiatives, programs, and individuals that contribute directly to the academic and co-curricular experience. The fund especially seeks to address barriers that impede student achievement or limit program effectiveness.
SPCS faculty and staff may apply for funds. The Fund operates on an annual cycle with the following deadlines:
- October 15: Applications for initiatives to be implemented in the Spring semester
- March 15: Applications for initiatives to be implemented in the Fall semester
Applications are reviewed individually and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For further information or questions, contact Joe Torrence, Director of Community Engagement and External Relations, at joe.torrence@richmond.edu.