Faculty Development Series
Fall 2026
Below are the professional development opportunities available for Fall 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. All sessions will be recorded and made available here at least one week of the workshop occurring.
Presenter: Kim Barker, ITS-Digital Learning
Description:
Are you using Canvas primarily to store course materials and collect assignments?
Canvas can be much more than a digital filing cabinet. In this 45-minute workshop,
Kim Barker from the Digital Learning department will explore how faculty can use Canvas
as a learning environment. We’ll look at ways to create clearer learning pathways,
build meaningful interaction, provide effective feedback, and use course data to better
understand student engagement. This workshop will explore how familiar tools can be
used more intentionally to improve the student experience and make teaching more efficient.
Friday, September 18, 2026
1-1:45 p.m.
To register, click here.
Presenter: Dr. Andrea Peeters, Associate Provost for Student Success and Jeremy Hoffman, Director of Academic Advising
Description:
With midterms approaching, you may already have concerns about the academic progress
some of your students are making. In this session, you will be provided with some
tips and strategies on how to best support students in academic distress and identify
and refer them to appropriate campus resources.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
10:30-11:15 a.m.
To register, click here.
Presenter: Dr. Edlyn Pena, Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Director, Autism and Communication Center, and Dr. Mel Spence, Professor, Department of Learning and Teaching and Assistant Dean of Assessment and Accreditation, Graduate School of Education
Description:
It is estimated that between 135,400 and 286,254 autistic undergraduate students are
currently enrolled in colleges and universities across the U.S. As a result, it is
essential that all faculty are thinking about strategies that may be useful to supporting
neurodiverse students in their classrooms. In this session, the facilitators will
provide helpful suggestions around inclusive pedagogical practices and support strategies
that can serve those neurodiverse students, but also all students.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
To register, click here.
Presenter: Dr. Schannae Lucas, Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice Department, Dr. Bryan Rasmussen, Professor, English Department, and Dr. Jose Torres, Department Chair and Assistant Professor, Criminology and Justice Studies, Bachelor's Degree for Professionals
Description:
Are you interested in contemplating how to expand your students’ learning outside
of the physical classroom space? In this session, you’ll hear from faculty colleagues
who have embraced experiential learning as a core strategy for student learning, engagement,
and success. Panelists will share insights about their teaching and learning experiences
and offer suggestions and strategies for integrating innovative experiential learning
into your pedagogical practice.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
2:15-3 p.m.
To register, click here.
Presenter: Dr. Ryan Medders, Professor, Communications Department, and Dr. Peter Carlson, Associate Professor, Religion Department
Description:
Given our university mission to prepare global leaders, faculty-led travel courses
and study experiences are just a couple of ways that we can help our students build
their understanding of themselves and our world. In this session, the facilitators
will share details about the steps needed to create a faculty-led travel course for
undergraduate and/or graduate students as well as share insights about other global
opportunities, including our Oxford University programme. Come join us to learn more
about these important learning experiences.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
1-1:45 p.m.
To register, click here.