Faculty Conversation Cafe (https://facultyaffairs.tamu.edu/get-involved/conversation-cafe.html) is held on the first Friday of the month. This month's discussion topic is Strengthening Adaptive CapacityJoin us for a timely conversation about building your ability to navigate ongoing uncertainty. We'll explore the concept of resilience and evidence-based strategies for sustaining energy and motivation through continuous adjustment.

Teaching Self-Belief, One Student at a Time Presented by Wendi Zimmer, Ph.D. In the college classroom, self-doubt often hides behind silence, disengagement, or a perfectionist mindset. While we focus on content mastery and academic rigor, many of our students are quietly asking themselves, “Do I belong here?" or "Am I good enough?" This session invites faculty to consider a new lens: What if self-belief is a teachable skill, one we can model, nurture, and embed into our pedagogy? Drawing from her book, The Force Continuum, and years of research-backed work in mindset and motivation, Dr. Wendi Zimmer shares how belief-building can be seamlessly integrated into higher education environments without compromising academic expectations. Through the BELIEF Framework, participants will explore simple yet powerful ways to support students' self-efficacy, identity development, and resilience, especially during the high-pressure moments that shape their persistence. This interactive session provides tools, language, and strategies for helping students develop the internal confidence necessary to thrive, not just academically, but also personally and professionally. Before our students can lead, they must believe, and that belief often begins with us. This session is excellent for any faculty working or mentoring students no matter the learning environment.Learning Outcomes:Articulate the role of self-belief in student engagement, academic performance, and long-term success in higher education Recognize belief barriers (e.g., imposter syndrome, stereotype threat, fear of failure) that commonly affect college students, particularly first-generation, underrepresented, or high-achieving populations Apply the BELIEF Framework to intentionally reinforce self-efficacy, voice, and identity in the college classroom through instructional choices and relational practices Integrate belief-building tools into feedback, office hours, and course design to promote academic risk-taking and resilience Reflect on personal teaching philosophy and identify key opportunities to embed belief-building strategies into their discipline-specific instruction Leave with actionable strategies for creating a culture of belief, one that affirms potential, challenges fixed narratives, and helps students develop a durable sense of purpose and belonging Attend in-person (Rudder 301) or virtually (https://tamu.zoom.us/j/93237592580?pwd=opSKtWmkisY71aqVcJaVt1FDMk58Uk.1).REGISTER TO ATTEND