The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership offers structured learning communities that bring faculty together with the goal of providing regular opportunities to share knowledge, explore teaching practices, and engage in focused professional development within these specific areas. Faculty gain fresh perspectives, receive peer feedback, and develop supportive professional relationships with colleagues who share similar interests. Each semester, CETAL provides safe spaces for experimenting with new teaching methods while fostering expertise in AI integration, pedagogical innovation, and professional growth through peer coaching.
Artificial Intelligence Learning Communities
Navigating the Digital Age: A Discussion Group on Living Beyond Human Scale
Dates: Wednesdays (9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4)
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Facilitated by: Amy Hawkins, Taine Duncan, and Sara Israel
Join us for an engaging series of discussions inspired by Brené Brown’s 8-episode podcast series exploring our rapidly evolving technological landscape. We’ll delve into the challenges and opportunities of living in a world that’s pushing beyond human scale.
Key Topics:
- The impact of social media, AI, and emerging technologies on our daily lives
- Ethical considerations in AI development and implementation
- Strategies for managing uncertainty in a fast-paced digital world
- The intersection of technology, leadership, and human skills
- Balancing technological advancement with human well-being
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a cautious observer, or somewhere in between, this group offers a space for thoughtful dialogue and personal growth. Together, we’ll explore how to thrive in a world where change outpaces our natural capacity to adapt. Register Now!
Book Group on Teaching with AI
Dates: Wednesdays (9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: TORW 319
Facilitated by: Amy Hawkins, Mike Casey, and Sun Thao Kim
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we learn, work, and think. Its integration into classrooms and workplaces is already underway, impacting and challenging ideas about creativity, authorship, and education. In this groundbreaking and practical guide, teachers will discover how to harness and manage AI as a powerful teaching tool. José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson present emerging and powerful research on the seismic changes AI is already creating in schools and the workplace, providing invaluable insights into what AI can accomplish in the classroom and beyond.
By learning how to use new AI tools and resources, educators will gain the confidence to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by AI. From interactive learning techniques to advanced assignment and assessment strategies, this comprehensive guide offers practical suggestions for integrating AI effectively into teaching and learning environments. Bowen and Watson tackle crucial questions related to academic integrity, cheating, and other emerging issues…. This book serves as a compass, guiding educators through the uncharted territory of AI-powered education and the future of teaching and learning.” (from Amazon description). Register Now!
Teaching with AI Learning Community: Online Modules Provided by Auburn University (40 total registrations)
OPTION 1:
Dates: Mondays (Sept. 23 & 30, Oct. 14 & 28, Nov. 4)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: TORW 319
Facilitated by: Amy Hawkins and Pam Ashcraft
OPTION 2:
Dates: Thursdays (Sept. 5 & 19, Oct. 10 & 24, Nov. 7 & 21)
Time: x-period
Location: TORW 319
Facilitated by: Jen Talbot and Jon Baarsch
“There are many interactive opportunities throughout the course to share your expertise and ideas. Our primary goal is to support you in thinking through the urgent questions that the AI disruption of higher education presents and to create opportunities for you to learn from and with others so that you are confident in supporting your students as we redesign our courses and navigate this shifting landscape together.” (from Auburn University’s “Teaching with AI” online course description). Register Now!
AI Teaching Applications Learning Community: Beyond the Basics
Dates: Mondays (Sept 9, Sept 23, Oct 7, Oct 21, Nov 4, Nov 18)
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: TORW 319
Facilitated by: Donna Bowman and Deanna Rumble
Are you a faculty member already integrating AI into your teaching? Ready to take your AI-enhanced pedagogy to the next level? Join our faculty learning community focused on advanced AI applications in higher education.
This community is designed for educators who have moved past the introductory stage and are eager to:
- Explore cutting-edge AI tools and techniques
- Develop innovative AI-powered learning experiences
- Share best practices and learn from peers
Pedagogy Learning Communities
Community Cafe: Teaching & Learning in STEM
Dates: Wednesdays; Sept. 4 & 18, Oct. 16 & 30, Nov. 13 & 20
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Christian Cafeteria Executive Dining Room
Facilitator: Kyle Hurley
STEM disciplines face unique challenges in the fields of teaching and learning. This year-long learning community will serve as a meeting place for anyone interested in improving, exploring, and growing as professionals. We will meet twice a month for lunch and discussion on a variety of topics from best practices to technology, to interdisciplinary and interdepartmental approaches for teaching and beyond! Register Now!
Global Learning Research Group
Dates: Thursdays; Sept. 12 & 26, Oct. 10 & 24, Nov. 14
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: TORW 319
Facilitator: Allison Freed and Evan Faidley
This group aims to connect faculty and staff members interested in studying the influence of global learning (e.g., Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), Global Shared Learning Experiences, Education Abroad, etc.) on the internationalization of academic programs, curricula, and student learning. We plan to meet twice a month to discuss and plan research efforts on global teaching and learning. We plan to seek publication of our research and continue our inquiries into the spring semester. Register Now!
Coaching Circles
New Faculty Teaching Academy (NFTA)
Dates: Mondays; Sept. 9 & 23, Oct. 7 & 21, Nov. 4 & 18, Dec. 2
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: TORW 302
Facilitators: Olivia Bundrick, Stacy Lom, and Zach Smith
This community for first- and second-year faculty meets twice a month, in-person, throughout the academic year to provide new faculty with a strong foundation in research-based strategies for teaching and learning, key insights into UCA-specific resources and student populations, and a supportive environment for discussing and responding to the emergent needs of new faculty. Participants in the program will have opportunities to workshop inclusive syllabi and effective assessments, and to participate in peer teaching observations valuable in the process of applying for tenure and/or promotion. NFTA provides a laboratory of ideas and supportive feedback for any new faculty looking to take their teaching to the next level. Register Now!
Early Career Coaching Circle (ECCC)
Dates: Tuesdays; Sept. 3 & 17, Oct. 1 & 15, Nov. 5 & 19
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: TORW 319
Facilitators: Amy Hawkins, Rebekah Luong, Arijit Mukherjee, Ashley Phillips
Interested in setting yourself up for success in your first few years as a UCA faculty member? ECCC is a learning community with a semi-structured discussion format for faculty in their second through fifth year at UCA. This group will meet twice a month throughout the academic year to support each other in the development of individualized plans to set and achieve goals in the areas of teaching, scholarship & creative activity, and service. Register Now!
Academic Leadership Learning Community: Leadership is a Relationship
Dates: Fridays (Sept. 6 & 20, Oct. 4 & 25, Nov. 8 & 22)
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: TORW 319
Facilitators: Nancy Reese & Amy Hawkins
This learning community explores topics and application exercises to hone participants’ leadership skills. This fall we are reading the book that inspired the 2024 Chairs & Directors Retreat, Leadership Is a Relationship by Erwin and DeVoll (2021). Whether you are a new or experienced chair or director or interested in exploring academic leadership roles and responsibilities, this group is for you! Register Now!
Dean’s Leadership Series
Time: x-period
Location: McCastlain Fireplace Room
Facilitator: Tom Williams
Join our Dean’s Leadership Learning Community, a four-part series focused on enhancing leadership skills. Dive into such critical topics as building culture, personnel management, avoiding burnout, and managing difficult people to empower and inspire effective leadership. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership capabilities.
Personnel 101: September 10
Dive into the essentials of personnel management in academia with our “Personnel 101” session. Led by an experienced dean, this workshop will alert academic leaders to key insights into faculty and staff hiring, retention, development, and building culture. You’ll explore strategies for navigating tenure and promotion processes, learn best practices for performance evaluations in higher education, and discover techniques for fostering a collaborative academic environment. Whether you’re a new or aspiring academic leader or a seasoned administrator, this session will provide you with the tools to effectively manage your most valuable asset—your people. Register Now!
Preparing People to Thrive: November 12
Unlock the full potential of your faculty with our “Preparing People to Thrive” session, focused on creating mentorship programs that drive professional growth and strategies for balancing teaching, research, and service expectations. You’ll learn how to implement approaches that promote faculty well-being and work-life integration while fostering an inclusive environment that supports diverse talents. Join us to discover how to build a thriving academic community where faculty members are empowered to excel in their roles and propel your institution forward. Register Now!
Avoiding Burnout: February 11
Description coming this Spring!
Managing Difficult People: April 29
Description coming this Spring!
Faculty for Successful Students
In collaboration with Student Success Services, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership (CETAL) launched an eight-week campaign to equip faculty with simple strategies to promote student success, particularly among first-year students. Beginning in August 2024, the campaign consisted of weekly brainstorm sessions and content populated with faculty strategies to support student behaviors that foster student success. For more information, visit the Faculty for Successful Students webpage.