Spina and Faculty are Planning a Mix of Travel, Research and Work for Summer Break

Photo by Marko Kelecevic on Unsplash

Natalia Serpe | Contributing Writer

As the 2025-26 academic year winds down, faculty members are trading work for travel, research and long-awaited time off.

While students leave campus, professors often shift gears rather than stop working altogether.

Conversations with five faculty members highlight the different ways they plan to spend their summer months.

Across campus, faculty members described summer as a mix of continuing administrative work and personal time away. While some will travel or take vacations, others said they will use the break to focus on research, writing and preparation for the upcoming academic year.

UD President Eric Spina said he will spend much of his summer continuing administrative work on campus while also enjoying time away from the university. He said the summer provides an opportunity to look back on the academic year while preparing for the next. He has announced that 2027 will be his last year as president.

“We have a big family vacation planned: time at two national parks in the Northwest, North Cascades, Olympic and then time on a ranch in Montana. I will also go to Pittsburgh for a weekend to watch my beloved Pittsburgh Pirates play three games,” he said.

His ideal summer day includes spending time with family, biking along the Great Miami River and relaxing outdoors. The president added that hearing about students’ summer experiences, including internships and study abroad programs, is something he looks forward to each year.

While some faculty members plan to travel, others are focusing on projects closer to home.

English professor Chris Burnside, who works with the local production company called the Dayton Writers Movement, said he will spend the summer writing and producing shows while staying local.

“I will be writing one show and producing another show this summer,” said Burnside. He said the summer gives him more uninterrupted time to focus on creative work compared to the busy academic year. Burnside said he also plans to take short trips to cities such as Cincinnati, Columbus and Indianapolis and is looking forward to spending time relaxing with family and friends.

Summer brings travel and downtime, but some faculty members will continue working through the break. The summer months often allow faculty to step away from teaching, but many continue working on research. Communication Department chair and professor Chad Painter said he will spend most of the summer working while also focusing on research and writing.

“I’ll also be doing some writing during the summer, preparing a class for fall and handling odds and ends with department work,” said Painter.

He said the summer months allow him to focus on projects that are more difficult to complete during the academic year. Painter added that he will remain largely local but plans some travel to cities including Chicago, Indianapolis and New Orleans for both work and for professional development.

Though their plans vary, many faculty members described summer as a time of both productivity and rest.

Heather Parsons, coordinator of academic advising in the Department of Communication, said she is looking forward to a combination of travel, work and enjoying the slower pace of summer. She said she plans a visit to Key West while also continuing responsibilities such as new student orientation, recruitment and advising.

“My perfect summer day consists of getting up when my body naturally wakes up, going for a run and then working out, taking my dog for a walk, having my tea out on the patio and listening to the wind chimes and birds with a slight breeze in the air,” said Parsons.

Parsons said she is also looking forward to spending time outdoors and enjoying seasonal activities such as time at the pool and relaxing evenings with friends and family.

Flyer Media Director Pat Enright said he will remain mostly local but plans to travel to Utah, Las Vegas and the Boston area for personal trips.

“I’m on a 12-month contract, so I’ll be working all summer,” Enright said. “I’ll be setting up programs I’m involved in, including initiatives in Chicago and Boston, and working on a new framework for the Dayton Independent Film Festival.”

Enright added that he enjoys the quieter pace of campus during the summer, which allows him to focus on projects without distractions, as well as spending time at the pool with his family and attending live music events in the evening.

Across campus, faculty members described summer as a mix of continued professional work and personal time away. While some will travel or take vacations, others said they will remain focused on research, creative projects and administrative responsibilities. Despite different schedules and locations, many said the summer months provide a valuable opportunity to slow down and reset before the start of the next academic year.