{"id":20691,"date":"2026-06-25T08:59:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T12:59:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/?p=20691"},"modified":"2026-06-25T08:59:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T12:59:24","slug":"the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/","title":{"rendered":"The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extraa-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”20692″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Members of the 2025-26 Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts fellowship cohort gathered for an in-person workshop on the Eckerd College campus. Photos by Penh Alicandro ’22<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” el_class=”news_subhead” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Why pursue a career in higher education?[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]For professors, it\u2019s a question that rarely comes up day to day amid lesson planning, committee meetings, advising appointments, and the countless other responsibilities that fill a day. Yet for many faculty members at small liberal arts-focused colleges, reconnecting with that sense of purpose can be just as important as the act of teaching itself.<\/p>\n

In 2021, Eckerd College launched the Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts<\/a> to give faculty members space to reflect on the purpose and promise of their work.<\/p>\n

Founded through a $15 million gift from longtime Eckerd trustee Helmar Nielsen<\/a>, the Center brings together early-career professors from small liberal arts colleges across the country for a 13-month fellowship focused on teaching, reflection, leadership and the enduring value of liberal arts education.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelmar Nielsen, the benefactor of the Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts at Eckerd College, believed that the strength of a liberal arts education is founded in the expertise, imagination, and commitment of its faculty,\u201d says Associate Dean of Faculty for Faculty Development K.C. Wolfe<\/a>, who succeeded Julie Empric, Ph.D.<\/a>, professor of literature<\/a> emerita, as executive director of the Nielsen Center in 2025. \u201cThe Center is a place where that can be nurtured as it is nowhere else.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin_tablet=”32″ top_margin_phone=”32″ flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”16726″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]The Helmar E. Nielsen Medal , which shares its namesake with the Nielsen Center, is the highest honor Eckerd College can bestow upon an individual.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]As the Nielsen Center enters its fifth year and welcomes its seventh cohort, Wolfe says one lesson has become increasingly clear: Early-career faculty need more than traditional professional development opportunities\u2014they need space to reflect.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”2%” bottom_padding=”2%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”20693″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Associate Dean of Faculty for Faculty Development K.C. Wolfe became<\/span> executive director of the Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts in 2025.<\/span><\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” el_class=”lg_text” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\u201cWe\u2019re working at a time in higher education when the role of a faculty member, especially at small liberal arts colleges, is being tested in many ways and renegotiated in light of a dozen internal and external forces,\u201d says Wolfe. \u201cWhen professors find themselves pulled in so many directions, a deeper understanding of themselves as teachers, scholars, mentors, and institutional stewards helps shape and sustain meaningful connections with their work, and helps to strengthen their institutions and the liberal arts more broadly.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]That understanding has informed the fellowship\u2019s curriculum, which has evolved to include more collaborative, hands-on learning experiences.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe moved from a predominantly readings-and-discussion format in the first year to a more active curriculum, including dynamic programming that can be and has been adopted by the fellows for use in their own classrooms and on-campus peer groups,\u201d says Wolfe. \u201cCurrently, the arc over the 13-month fellowship<\/a> involves the fellows\u2019 incrementally increasing ownership over their Nielsen experience, including sustaining group interactions and projects among themselves between their on-campus visits.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Charles McCrary, Ph.D.<\/a>, assistant professor of religious studies<\/a> at Eckerd and a member of the 2024-25 cohort, the fellowship prompted him to rethink his approach to course design. Earlier in his career, he viewed learning objectives and outcomes largely as administrative requirements. Through the Nielsen Center, however, he came to see them as an opportunity to think more intentionally about how individual courses contribute to a student’s broader liberal arts education.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is very important to think about the outcomes and objectives of a course, to design your course with your college\u2019s mission in mind, and to think clearly and holistically about how the skills and knowledge acquired in your course might contribute to a student\u2019s overall formation,\u201d McCrary says.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”2%” bottom_padding=”2%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”20694″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Matthew Karlesky, Ph.D.<\/span>, assistant professor of <\/span>management<\/span> at Eckerd College and a member of the 2025-26 Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts pre-tenure workshop cohort, walks across campus with a pair of students.\u00a0<\/span><\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]For Matthew Karlesky, Ph.D.<\/a>, assistant professor of management<\/a> at Eckerd and a member of the 2025-26 cohort, the most valuable aspect of the fellowship was the opportunity to engage with faculty from different disciplines and institutions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Nielsen Center cultivates a community of like-minded educators and advocates for the liberal arts,\u201d he says. \u201cIt offers a place where we can not only share ideas and best practices to take on a variety of challenges facing small liberal arts colleges, but also where we can support each other in our collective efforts to realize the value of a liberal arts education.\u201d<\/p>\n

One exercise that particularly stuck with Karlesky asked fellows to reflect on the experiences that led them to careers in higher education. Called the \u201cRiver of Life,\u201d the activity encouraged participants to map the people, moments, and turning points that shaped their paths.<\/p>\n

\u201cHearing the life stories of my fellow fellows was incredibly powerful,\u201d Karlesky says.<\/p>\n

That opportunity for reflection is central to the Nielsen Center\u2019s mission. Alongside conversations about teaching, leadership and the future of liberal arts education, the fellowship encourages participants to reconnect with the values that drew them to higher education in the first place.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one\u2014or perhaps very few of us\u2014working in academia just fell into this work,\u201d Wolfe says. \u201cFor nearly all of us, this work is a calling.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extraa-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":191,"featured_media":20692,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[205,37,66,67,75],"tags":[1555,1621,1624,1291,1623,1622],"class_list":{"0":"post-20691","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-about-eckerd","8":"category-academics","9":"category-literature","10":"category-management","11":"category-religious-studies","12":"tag-eckerd-college","13":"tag-faculty-development","14":"tag-helmar-e-nielsen","15":"tag-liberal-arts","16":"tag-nielsen-center","17":"tag-pre-tenure-faculty"},"yoast_head":"\nThe Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty - News | Eckerd College<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"News | Eckerd College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"News | Eckerd College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-25T12:59:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2026\/06\/NCLA-2026-1-of-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1333\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Lauren Stepp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Lauren Stepp\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Lauren Stepp\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/89d3d6d5c37d765a6c312353b94da976\"},\"headline\":\"The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-25T12:59:24+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2993,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/NCLA-2026-1-of-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Eckerd College\",\"Faculty Development\",\"Helmar E. Nielsen\",\"liberal arts\",\"Nielsen Center\",\"Pre-tenure faculty\"],\"articleSection\":[\"About Eckerd\",\"Academics\",\"Literature\",\"Management\",\"Religious Studies\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty - News | Eckerd College\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/NCLA-2026-1-of-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-25T12:59:24+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/89d3d6d5c37d765a6c312353b94da976\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/NCLA-2026-1-of-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/NCLA-2026-1-of-1.jpg\",\"width\":2000,\"height\":1333,\"caption\":\"A group of 15 men and women pose on the front steps of a building for a group photograph.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/\",\"name\":\"News | Eckerd College\",\"description\":\"Newsroom at Eckerd College\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/89d3d6d5c37d765a6c312353b94da976\",\"name\":\"Lauren Stepp\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/fc7ff4bf4b606dfa3a1a7f1acd9111bec7d265f6cdd36c4481676983619cefee?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/fc7ff4bf4b606dfa3a1a7f1acd9111bec7d265f6cdd36c4481676983619cefee?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/fc7ff4bf4b606dfa3a1a7f1acd9111bec7d265f6cdd36c4481676983619cefee?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Lauren Stepp\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty - News | Eckerd College","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty","og_description":"News | Eckerd College","og_url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/","og_site_name":"News | Eckerd College","article_published_time":"2026-06-25T12:59:24+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2000,"height":1333,"url":"http:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2026\/06\/NCLA-2026-1-of-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Lauren Stepp","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Lauren Stepp","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/"},"author":{"name":"Lauren Stepp","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/89d3d6d5c37d765a6c312353b94da976"},"headline":"The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty","datePublished":"2026-06-25T12:59:24+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/"},"wordCount":2993,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2026\/06\/NCLA-2026-1-of-1.jpg","keywords":["Eckerd College","Faculty Development","Helmar E. Nielsen","liberal arts","Nielsen Center","Pre-tenure faculty"],"articleSection":["About Eckerd","Academics","Literature","Management","Religious Studies"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/","name":"The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty - News | Eckerd College","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2026\/06\/NCLA-2026-1-of-1.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-25T12:59:24+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/89d3d6d5c37d765a6c312353b94da976"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2026\/06\/NCLA-2026-1-of-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2026\/06\/NCLA-2026-1-of-1.jpg","width":2000,"height":1333,"caption":"A group of 15 men and women pose on the front steps of a building for a group photograph."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/the-nielsen-center-for-the-liberal-arts-supports-the-next-generation-of-liberal-arts-faculty\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts Supports the Next Generation of Liberal Arts Faculty"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/","name":"News | Eckerd College","description":"Newsroom at Eckerd College","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/89d3d6d5c37d765a6c312353b94da976","name":"Lauren Stepp","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fc7ff4bf4b606dfa3a1a7f1acd9111bec7d265f6cdd36c4481676983619cefee?s=96&d=blank&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fc7ff4bf4b606dfa3a1a7f1acd9111bec7d265f6cdd36c4481676983619cefee?s=96&d=blank&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fc7ff4bf4b606dfa3a1a7f1acd9111bec7d265f6cdd36c4481676983619cefee?s=96&d=blank&r=g","caption":"Lauren Stepp"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20691","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/191"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20691"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20691\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20698,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20691\/revisions\/20698"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20691"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}