Program

This session is cross-listed with the Student Success Summit
(This is a duplicate session, also scheduled on 8/21, 3:00-3:50pm)

Session Location: Library Café – B30 | Google Map

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Presenters: Natasha Griffin (Resident Librarian, University Library) & Amelia Costello (Resident Librarian, University Library)

The American University Library applies a holistic approach to supporting student success, from providing specific academic research support to developing many initiatives to support the broader well-being of our students. In this session, we will cover some of the ways in which we not only support student success, but also support staff and faculty who are engaged in the work of supporting graduate and undergraduate students.

Session location: SIS Founders Room T-7 | Google Map
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Presenters: Mary Catherine Stoumbos (Teaching and Learning Specialist, CTRL) and Ayah Morsy (Graduate Assistant for Teaching and Learning, CTRL)

This workshop aims to challenge and expand your understanding of academic rigor while also focusing on creating equitable learning environments. Join us to learn more about the tools needed to uphold rigorous academic standards while simultaneously supporting all students in their educational journey by balancing structure and flexibility.

Session location: MGC 245 | Google Map
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Presenter: Emily Lelandais (Assistant Director for Career Education, Career Center), Anna Litman (Assistant Director for Curriculum Integration, Career Center) and Liz Romig (Director, Career Education & Outreach, Career Center)

This workshop will highlight Career Center consulting services that can help faculty align their syllabi with students’ career readiness goals. Career readiness involves equipping students with essential workplace skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and professionalism that employers highly value. A key focus of the workshop will be the importance of translating academic experiences into workplace skills. Additionally, we will cover how to integrate Career Center resources into your curriculum. Join us to learn how to effectively leverage the Career Center’s resources to help your students succeed.

This session is cross-listed with the Student Success Summit

Session Location: SIS Founders Room T-7 | Google Map
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Presenters: Melissa Hawkins (Senior Professorial Lecturer, CAS | Health Studies) and Alison Chrisler (Professorial Lecturer, CAS | Health Studies)

Over 100 student comments were grouped into key themes by Department of Health Studies faculty leaders. This information was then shared at the departmental annual retreat for discussion with the full faculty in small groups. Specifically, faculty discussed how the positive practices could be operationalized, and the detrimental practices minimized, or managed, in the classroom environment. This activity elevated student voices for faculty discussion and self-reflection in supporting classroom practices to build a more inclusive classroom environment and support student retention efforts. This interactive session will be of interest to undergraduate faculty and staff.

Session location: MGC 245 | Google Map
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Presenters: Melanie Bullock (Director for the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement),
Saagar Gupta (Assistant Director of Community-Based Learning and Special Programs) &
Amanda Choutka (Senior Professorial Lecturer, CAS | Writing Studies Program and Faculty Fellow in the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement)

Join the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement to explore GivePulse, a comprehensive online platform for integrating community-based learning into your curriculum. This session will guide faculty members through navigation and effective use of GivePulse, enhancing student engagement with community experiences and maximizing classroom impact.

This session will be held in person only.

Session location: Library 146 | Google Map
(This session will be held in person only)

Presenters: Jessica Breen (Program Director, Geospatial Research Support, University Library), Ben Choi (Manager, Academic Multimedia Services, University Library), Shilpa Das Gupta (E-Learning Support Services Manager and Interim Head of the Digital Research and Inquiry Lab, University Library) and Lacey Wootton (Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer, CAS | Writing Studies Program)

Meet the new Digital Research and Inquiry Lab! The DRI Lab serves as a one-stop-shop for faculty wanting to expand their research or learn about incorporating digital research into the classroom. Join us to learn about library support for digital research, view exciting past projects, and tour the lab space with expert staff.

This session is cross-listed with the Student Success Summit

Session Location: Kerwin T-1 | Google Map
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Presenter: Bridget Trogden (Dean of Undergraduate Education and Academic Student Services)

Research institutions like American University are celebrated for their tripartite mission of teaching, research, and service, which offers distinctive advantages and poses unique challenges in elevating undergraduate student success. By embracing a culture of innovation and collaboration, we see that institutions like ours can develop approaches that address the evolving needs of students and society. We all have a role to play. In this session, we will not only wrap up what we’ve learned from each other over the past two days, but we will reflect, interact, and ideate on ways we want to move the needle collectively and individually in supporting our students and our American University.

Session Location: SIS Founders Room T-7 | Google Map
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Presenters: Mac Crite (Teaching and Learning Specialist, CTRL) and Sahil Mathur (Graduate Assistant for Teaching and Learning, CTRL)

Join us for an interactive workshop where you can learn about syllabus best practices and refine your syllabus for the upcoming fall semester using peer feedback! Bring a draft syllabus to the session and choose one or two aspects of your syllabus that you would like feedback on, such as course policies (e.g., late work, artificial intelligence) or specific assignments.

Session Location: Library Café – B30 | Google Map
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Presenters: Rebecca Comfort (Assistant Director of AU Core, UEAS) and Brigid Maher (Faculty Director, Complex Problems and University College, UEAS / Professor, SOC | Film and Media Arts)

This session shares strategies for navigating challenges that will arise in class during the Fall 2024 election season. Participants will explore trauma-informed classroom approaches, including how to establish ground rules for respectful dialogue and hold space during moments of tension. Additionally, we discuss ideas for adjusting course schedules and deadlines around the time of the election in anticipation of student/faculty needs. To explore more a specific strategy, check out CTRL’s “Using ‘Calling in’ to Address Challenging Student Comments” session.