2026-2027 CAT Faculty in Residence
The CAT is excited to launch a new program for 2026-2027 — the Faculty in Residence Program. This program enables a WFU faculty member, chosen through a competitive application and review process, to join the CAT team as a full-time colleague for a year. We believe that bringing Wake Forest faculty into the CAT is mutually beneficial. We are able to enrich our work with new perspectives and expertise, advance our mission, and extend our impact. The resident faculty member has dedicated time to focus on teaching and learning, explore pedagogical topics from cross-disciplinary and multi-institutional perspectives, contribute to WFU teaching and learing initatives, and develop organizational leadership skills. For 2026-2027, the inaugural Faculty in Residence will work closely with Dr. Anita McCauley, the CAT’s Director of Curriculum Development and Assessment, to extend the CAT’s support for department and university initiatives.
The 2026-2027 Faculty in Residence
The CAT is excited to welcome Leah Roy, Teaching Professor of Performance in the Department of Theatre and Dance, as the inaugural Faculty in Residence. Leah has been an active member of the university community, serving in a variety of departmental and university leadership roles, as well as an engaged member of the teaching community. She brings a deep understanding of faculty and student experiences in the classroom, including through her many years in the classroom, work as a lower division and major advisor, and service as a member of the CLASS faculty advisory committee. Leah has engaged with many CAT programs, including participating in reading groups, learning communities, and course design institutes and leading peer learning communities and workshops. University wide service, including serving on the Experiential Learning QEP Steering Committee, the College Committee on Academic Planning, the FYS Committee, and as an internal reviewer for multiple academic programs, has given her valuable depth and breadth of perspective on the structures, practices, and culture of teaching across the institution. In the Department of Theatre and Dance, she has recently served as the Associate Chair of the department, and as the chair of the Curriculum Committee and the Ad Hoc APPLE committee.
As the Faculty in Residence, Leah is looking to bring all these experiences together to support the teaching community at Wake Forest. Leah’s background in the arts and humanities will provide additional perspectives and extend the CAT capacity to support departments in topics such as curriculum, learning assessment, responding to artificial intelligence, and integration of experiential learning. Her experience as a faculty member leading curricular and assessment work positions her well to understand diverse perspectives and facilitate program-wide conversations. While participating in all aspects of CAT work, her Residency will also include a focus on models of assessment in the arts and integration of the Wake Forest Experiential Learning initiative into the arts and humanities.
The CAT strives to foster a supportive and encouraging teaching culture, where faculty share with and support each other and where we celebrate WFU teachers and their practices. We are excited to welcome Leah to the CAT, to see all the ways in which her creativity and commitment to teaching can enhance our work in the coming year, and to celebrate this residency with her.
About the Faculty in Residence Program
The CAT Faculty in Residence Program combines our deep respect for the expertise of WFU teacher-scholars, our strong committment to investing in the development of our faculty, and our goal to strengthen our teaching community by encouraging the development of relationships and collaborations that enhance teaching. As a full member of the CAT team, the resident will contribute to all major areas of the CAT’s work, attend staff meetings, support strategic planning, and lead or co-lead programs aligned with their strengths and interests. The resident will also design and implement a project that advances teaching and learning at Wake Forest, culminating in a presentation to internal or external audiences.
Essential FIR Functions
Contributing to programs and services that support individual educators as they develop foundational teaching skills and discover and evaluate new teaching strategies (e.g., consultations, observations, workshops, reading groups, course design institutes, and faculty learning communities).
Contributing to programs and services that support academic units as they build structures, set policies, and allocate resources to advance teaching priorities across the university (e.g., curriculum development; learning assessment; and the assessment of teaching).
Contributing to institutional teaching initiatives aligned with the university’s strategic framework (framework.wfu.edu): inclusive pedagogy, experiential learning, and educating character.
Summary of FIR Appointment Details
The residency is considered a full-time appointment (37.5 hours per week) as part of the CAT Team, and runs for 12 months, from June through May with one month of summer vacation and the possibility of renewal for a second year. The Faculty in Residence receives their regular 9-month salary during the academic year, plus a summer salary to support two additional months of work. The CAT also provides professional development funding for conference registration, travel, or participation in institutes related to educational and organizational development. The Faculty in Residence teaches one course each semester. In most cases, the remainder of their teaching load is bought out by the CAT.
Contact Information
If you have questions or would like to discuss the Faculty in Residence program, please contact Dr. Anita McCauley, Director of Curriculum Development and Assessment at or (336)-758-3909