Faculty Development Series
Spring 2026
Below are the professional development opportunities available for Spring 2026. Preregistration is required to allow presenters to plan accordingly. Please click on the appropriate link for the session you wish to attend. Upon registration, you will receive an invitation email with the Zoom link for the session.
Presenter: Milad Malakooti, ITS-Digital Learning
Description:
This training empowers faculty to efficiently use Canvas tools, allowing them to focus
on teaching and the subject. Participants will learn to streamline course setup, organize
content, and manage communication, grading, and assignments with ease. The session
will highlight features like the gradebook, quizzes, and available third-party tools
designed to save time while maintaining accessibility and engagement. By mastering
these tools, faculty can simplify administrative tasks and create a more effective,
student-centered learning environment.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
5:30-6:15 p.m.
To register, please click here.
Presenter: Justin Barkhuff, Information Technology Services
Description:
What would it look like if you had the ability to have more help with supplemental
instruction for the classes you taught? In what ways might you have your students
engage with tutors and instructional assistants at any time of the day or night? Our
colleagues in Information Technology Services have been strategizing on how to galvanize
artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create AI tutor and instructor assistant
initiatives. In this session, come learn more about what ITS has been crafting and
engage in meaningful dialogue about potential needs and uses for these types of tools
to assist students’ engagement and learning.
Thursday, February 5, 2026
2:15-3:00 p.m.
To register, please click here.
Presenter: Dr. Laila McCloud, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Counseling, Grand Valley State University
Description:
Teaching and learning should be viewed as a collaborative process. However, one thing
that can get in the way of this relationship is grades. Traditionally, grades are
used to measure success and failure in ways that are not always productive for growth.
This session provides an opportunity for instructors to (re)consider their relationship
with grades and explore how they can move from grading to collaborative grading. Together,
we will examine the ideas behind collaborative grading, discuss its potential to increase
student agency and engagement, and share strategies for integrating it into your courses.
This talk is presented as a collaboration between Cal Lutheran's faculty development programming and the Graduate School of Education Dean's Speaker Series on Equity and Justice in Education.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
11:25 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
To register, please click here.
Presenter: Dr. Mel Spence, Graduate School of Education
Description:
This session introduces the core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
and explores how understanding learner variability can strengthen teaching and curriculum
design. We will examine common barriers in college-level learning environments and
learn how to proactively remove them through flexible, intentionally designed instruction,
offering practical strategies for applying UDL to assignments and lectures to support
equitable access and meaningful engagement for all students.
Thursday, March 12, 2026
2:30-3:15 p.m.
To register, please click here.
Description:
This is an all day retreat designed to provide comprehensive support and guidance
for faculty at 2-year, 4-year, and 6-year milestones. Attendees will gain clarity
on the ART process for promotion and tenure review, receive focused help on their
dossier preparation, and connect with peers during the retreat. Participants will
actively work on aspects of their dossier throughout the retreat, so it is strongly
recommended to bring a laptop or tablet to use throughout the day. A light breakfast,
lunch, and snacks will be provided during the retreat.
For questions, please contact Dr. Dan Tillapaugh at dtillapaugh@callutheran.edu or 805-493-3086.
Monday, March 16, 2026
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ullman 100/101
To register, please click here.
Presenter: Dr. Dan Tillapaugh, Graduate School of Education
Description:
For many faculty, the aim of earning promotion and/or tenure can often become a central
focus in their careers, but once you get there, what’s next? In this session, you’ll
spend some time doing some critical reflection about your values and how to make decisions
about the next chapter of your faculty career informed by those values and interests.
At the end of the session, you’ll have the start of a plan to move forward with intention
and purpose for the future.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
To register, please click here.
Presenter: Lauren Causey, Office of Sponsored Research and Projects
Description:
The Office of Sponsored Research and Projects (OSRP) collaborates with faculty and
staff to identify and secure grants for research and programs that advance Cal Lutheran’s
vision. Consider attending a workshop to learn about how to align your goals with
that of a potential grant funder. The workshop will review ways that OSRP supports
faculty during the application phase, as well as the support available to faculty
who need to administer grant-funded projects.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
2:30-3:15 p.m.
To register, please click here.