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Friday, May 29
 

7:15am EDT

Conference Check-In
Friday May 29, 2026 7:15am - 3:30pm EDT
Check-in to get your badge and additional conference information.
Friday May 29, 2026 7:15am - 3:30pm EDT
Ballroom Foyer

8:15am EDT

Breakfast and Keynote: AI’s Impact on Teaching and the Future of Higher Education
Friday May 29, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT
Generative AI tools have had an astonishingly quick impact on the ways we learn, work, think, and create.  While higher education’s initial response was to develop strategies to diminish AI’s influence in the classroom, it is now clear that AI competencies and literacies must be embraced as essential learning for most colleges and universities.  These responses and realities create challenging tensions that higher education must work to resolve.  Drawing from his new book, Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2024), Dr. C. Edward Watson will detail the challenges and opportunities that have emerged for higher education, especially in terms of pedagogical practice and student learning.  Additionally, key opportunities provided by AI include ways for faculty to improve instruction and save time, but these benefits also have the potential to have an impact on the profession of teaching itself.  The future of the professoriate will also be discussed and suggestions will be provided regarding how faculty can participate as their profession evolves. 
Speakers
avatar for Dr. C. Edward

Dr. C. Edward "Eddie" Watson

C. Edward Watson, Ph.D., is the Vice President for Digital Innovation at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). He is also the founding director of AAC&U’s Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum. Prior to joining AAC&U, Dr. Watson was the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Georgia (UGA) where he led university efforts associated with faculty development, TA development, learning technologies, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT
Ballrooms I & II

9:30am EDT

Lessons from the Northern Woodshed Project: Teaching and Learning about Renewable Energy Production in the Northern Forest
Friday May 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:50am EDT
The farm-to-table movement has demonstrated how eating locally can promote rural economic development, decrease transportation costs, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Northern Woodshed Project has explored the possibilities for heating locally in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Northern Michigan University’s Carbon Neutrality Plan aims to reduce greenhouse gases 50% by 2040 by reducing energy demand and investing in renewable energy technologies. Specifically, the plan states that NMU will “develop a plan to potentially transition from natural gas to a renewable fuel, such as biomass or renewable natural gas, at the Ripley Plant.” The Northern Woodshed Project has engaged students, researchers from different departments on campus, and community partners to examine how NMU might reduce its dependency on fossil fuels by heating campus with woodchips from sustainably managed forests. This presentation will share some of the key lessons learned from the project, and will explore possible future opportunities for teaching and learning within the Northern Forest.
Speakers
ED

Ezra Dedenbach

Northern Michigan University

avatar for Dr. Sarah Mittlefehldt

Dr. Sarah Mittlefehldt

Professor & Interim Department Head, Northern Michigan University
Sarah Mittlefehldt enjoys working with students, colleagues, and community members to develop local solutions to global environmental challenges. She is author of Tangled Roots: The Appalachian Trail and American Environmental Politics (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2013) and several articles on the history of community-based conservation efforts, energy policy, and land-use decision-making... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:50am EDT
Peninsula IV

9:30am EDT

Closing the Loop: Integrating Practice-Based Courses with Core Theory in Engineering Curricula
Friday May 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:50am EDT
Engineering curricula are often structured around a sequence of core theory courses complemented by practice-based classes intended to develop professional skills, design intuition, and applied problem-solving. In practice, however, these two components are frequently experienced by students as disconnected or even competing elements of their education. This disconnect can limit students’ ability to transfer theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts and reduces the perceived value of both course types.


In response, the author describes a personal, instructor-driven approach to intentionally linking practice-based courses with core curriculum content, specifically within dynamics and vibrations. Practice classes are structured to allow for investigation and tinkering in mechanical engineering. Laboratory exercises, measurement activities, and semester long projects are deliberately aligned with topics currently being covered in dynamics, mechanics, and fluids classes, allowing students to discover physics phenomenon in some cases, and apply analytical tools in physical contexts in others. At the same time, examples in practice-based courses are carried back into core classes, where they are used to motivate theoretical development and highlight modeling assumptions.


Evidence from student feedback, course artifacts, and performance on integrative assessments suggests that this alignment improves conceptual understanding, increases student confidence in applying theory, and strengthens connections between analysis and engineering judgment. Students report a clearer sense of purpose in both course types and greater engagement when theoretical content is immediately contextualized through hands-on application. The results highlight the value of instructor-led curricular integration and offer practical, scalable methods for faculty seeking to better connect theory and practice within engineering education.


Speakers
avatar for Chad M Walber

Chad M Walber

Associate Teaching Professor, Michigan Technological University
Chad Walber is an Associate Teaching Professor at Michigan Technological University where he instructs students on noise, vibration, signal processing, dynamics, and other mechanical engineering applications. He has 15 years of industry experience as a research and development engineer... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:50am EDT
Founders Room

9:30am EDT

The Write Pathway: Embedding Career Exploration in First-Year Writing Courses
Friday May 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:50am EDT
As colleges and universities are held more accountable to gainful employment metrics, many institutions are increasing their focus on career exploration and essential skills development. In More Essential Than Ever: Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success, Davis Jenkins, et al. make a compelling case for intentional educational pathways that provide students with the tools, skills, knowledge, and career planning for successful, living-wage careers. As a seasoned writing instructor and college administrator, I wanted to experiment with embedding these skills in a general education course to align with our college reform goals. I practiced "pedagogical adaptability" and revamped the final research and persuasion project in my English 101 class to focus on career exploration (Giordano et al.). Students learned about themselves and their chosen career while practicing key rhetorical and information literacy skills through assignments. This assignment proved to be meaningful for students and supported our college's key goals around post-graduation student success. In this presentation, I will share relevant research, front-line insights, and a template for how I structured this project.  
 
Giordano, Joanne Baird, et al. Reaching All Writers: A Pedagogical Guide for Evolving College Writing Classrooms. University Press of Colorado, 2024.  
 
Jenkins, Davis, et al. More Essential Than Ever: Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success. Harvard Education Press, 2025. 
 


Speakers
avatar for Jessica Van Slooten

Jessica Van Slooten

Dean of Arts and Sciences, Bay College
Dr. Jessica Van Slooten is Dean of Arts and Sciences at Bay College. A first-generation college student and native of West Michigan, Jessica earned degrees in English from Alma College (BA), Michigan State University (MA), and Auburn University (Ph.D). She taught first-year writing... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:50am EDT
Ballroom IV

9:30am EDT

Teaching for Access: Practical Strategies for Inclusive Course Design
Friday May 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:50am EDT
As I have progressed over the past eight years as a writing instructor, both as an adjunct and as a graduate student teaching first-year writing and technical communication, I, like most instructors, am constantly reflecting on ways to improve my course materials. My goal is not only to strengthen assignments in ways that enhance student learning outcomes but also to ensure that all materials are accessible and free from barriers for every student. 


My efforts to make my courses more inclusive align with scholarly conversations about the ethical responsibilities of educators and the importance of designing learning environments that welcome all students. According to Selfe and Howes, who argue, “For educators, it is ethically questionable to practice pedagogies and construct spaces that categorically exclude entire classes of people. We need to pay attention to the teaching of composition through the lens of disability studies to remind ourselves of just how much our profession has to learn, and just how much we have been content to ignore”(para. 2). The sentiment from Selfe and Howes can be applied to all classes. All instructors should strive to foster inclusivity through all materials and pedagogical strategies, aligning with Titchkosky’s (2011) assertion that “a classroom, a policy, or a professor can be perceived through questions of access” (p. 7). It should be clear that there is no question of access, and there will be no need to worry about whether accommodations will be followed in the classroom.


This presentation will explore strategies for designing courses through a disability studies/justice lens. Drawing on disability studies scholarship and my teaching experiences, I will offer practical approaches to accommodations, including creating accessible course materials —such as syllabi, slide decks, office hours, and other instructional resources —and pedagogical practices that foster access, empathy, and inclusion for all students.


References
Selfe, C., & Howes, F. (2013). Over there: Disability Studies and Composition. Kairos A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy, vol. 18, no 1. https://kairos.technorhetoric.net/18.1/coverweb/yergeau-et-al/pages/index.html
Titchkosky, T. (2011). The Question of Access: Disability, Space, Meaning. University of Toronto Press.
Speakers
avatar for D-Jay Bidwell

D-Jay Bidwell

Graduate Teaching Instructor, Michigan Technological University
I am a PhD candidate at Michigan Technological University. My research centers on technical communication, usability studies, accessibility, and disability studies, with a particular emphasis on rhetoric. His work investigates the rhetorical choices students make in the writing classroom... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:50am EDT
Peninsula V

9:30am EDT

Mulligan Exams: Redemption without abolishing deadlines
Friday May 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:50am EDT
Any student can have a bad day.   But giving students multiple attempts on exams is fraught with issues of fairness, exam integrity, and student preparation.   In this session, we'll discuss a "mulligan" system used in a very large class (300+)  that tries to balance these issues using online exams with large "pools" of questions.   We'll explore how to determine who shoud be eligible for a "second shot" as well as making sure students are prepared to make the most of it.
Speakers
avatar for Michael R. Meyer

Michael R. Meyer

Teaching Professor, Michigan Technological University
Mike teaches large introductory physics classes.  As a former CTL director, he loves talking about teaching and learning.
Friday May 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:50am EDT
Peninsula I

10:00am EDT

Forensic Chemistry High-Impact Experience Project: Lessons Learned
Friday May 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am EDT
In this 20-minute session, Instructor Crystal Keso will share her experience and lessons learned from implementing a high-impact experience in a Forensic Chemistry course. Forensic Chemistry is an upper-level course required for NMU Forensic Biochemistry majors. Instructor Keso teaches the DNA identity testing unit and has replaced a traditional lecture exam with a unit project assignment. The unit project requires students to select a topic of interest within the scope of DNA identity testing and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the field. Students work in collaborative groups, share information with peers, and engage in reflective writing. In this session, Instructor Keso will share how she aligned this experience with high-impact principles and the lessons she has learned over the past three years.
Speakers
avatar for Crystal Keso (she/her)

Crystal Keso (she/her)

Instructor, Northern Michigan University
Crystal Keso, M.S., Ed.S.
Crystal Keso (she/her) is an Instructor and the Program Director for Forensic Biochemistry within the Chemistry Department at Northern Michigan University (NMU). Ms. Keso holds a B.A. in Chemistry with a minor in Spanish from Albion College, an M.S. in Chemical Biology from the Un... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am EDT
Peninsula IV

10:00am EDT

Teaching historical context in economics classes
Friday May 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am EDT
In my Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory course at Michigan Technological University, I have experimented with a series of applied, historically grounded projects designed to help students contextualize the development of macroeconomic models. This initiative began after I discovered that a majority of students could not identify the decade of the Great Depression, revealing a significant gap in historical-economic literacy that limited their ability to fully grasp the evolution of macroeconomic thought.
In response, I first implemented a half-semester project in which students created a detailed persona of an individual living during the Great Depression. While this immersive assignment significantly deepened students’ understanding of that period and increased engagement beyond expectations, it also narrowed their focus to a single event.
The following year, I redesigned the assignment into a group-based virtual timeline project spanning major economic events from 1900 to the present. This broadened students’ historical awareness but reduced the depth of contextual understanding necessary to fully appreciate the intellectual environment in which foundational macroeconomic models were developed.
This presentation will explore the design process behind these projects, assess the tradeoffs between breadth and depth in applied historical learning, and introduce a new hybrid model currently under development. 
Speakers
avatar for Ann Hardin

Ann Hardin

Assistant Teaching Professor, Michigan Technological University
Dr. Hardin is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Economics at Michigan Technological University, where she has taught for the past three years. She teaches a range of undergraduate courses, including International Economics, Macroeconomic Theory, Game Theory, and Principles of Economics... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am EDT
Founders Room

10:00am EDT

Whose Draft Is It? Co-Creating Revision Practices with Underprepared Writers in First-Year Composition
Friday May 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am EDT
This presentation reconceives revision as an act of authorship rather than correction. Using a constructivist, co-created feedback model and a SWOT-based revision framework, it shows how underprepared writers learn to evaluate, defend, and shape their own rhetorical choices. The session highlights classroom practices that cultivate agency, intellectual risk-taking, and durable writing development.
Speakers
avatar for Bob Gidcumb

Bob Gidcumb

Full Time Faculty, Bay Mills Community College
Bob Gidcumb is a Professor of English and Communication at Bay Mills Community College, where he teaches first-year composition, research writing, public speaking, and technical communication. He holds an MA in Composition and Rhetoric from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Creative Writin... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am EDT
Peninsula V

10:00am EDT

Creating Perfect Groups Instantly in Class with the Click of a Button
Friday May 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am EDT

Using a custom, web‑based tool—SwiftFlock (swiftflock.app)—you can create well‑matched groups that respect competencies, gender identities, existing friendships, physical location, or any other rule you define; once the groups are formed you can instantly assign discussion prompts, capture real‑time conversations, and post a follow‑up survey to see if the activity improved targeted competencies, and in this session we’ll walk through a quick live demo of the tool, showing how to set up matching criteria, launch an activity, and collect analytics while also exploring what makes a truly well‑matched group.
Speakers
avatar for Shane Oberloier

Shane Oberloier

Assistant Teaching Professor, Michigan Technological University
Shane Oberloier is an award winning assistant teaching professor at Michigan Technological University. He also directs the Alley Makerspace and Open Source Hardware Enterprise. He approaches engineering from an entrepreneurial mindset, and creates strongly collaborative project based... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am EDT
Peninsula I

10:30am EDT

Cut Through Information Chaos
Friday May 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
How can you support your students as they navigate today’s evolving, chaotic, information ecosystem? Part of an instructor’s role is to introduce students to the disciplinary literature and conversations in their field. As the breadth of scholarly publications, tools, and resources grows, this becomes increasingly challenging. Additionally, students are entering the classroom familiar with generative AI research tools that interact with traditional resources in new and unexpected ways. In short—chaos barely begins to cover it! 


Given all of this, it’s important not to focus solely on teaching students specific tools that will rapidly change. Librarians at Michigan Tech have a stated goal to support students as they become well-rounded seekers, users, and creators of information who can go beyond tools to ask critical questions of information sources, including generative AI. In this session, learn how to incorporate those skills into your assignments and learning outcomes, helping students succeed in the course and future challenges they will undoubtedly face. 
In this session librarians will share best practices, lead a discussion about collaboration, and introduce brief activities that will help you rethink your own assignment outcomes. As academic librarians, our work is heavily informed by the Association for College and Research Libraries’ Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, so participants can also expect a brief primer on this excellent resource as part of the session!
Speakers
avatar for Angela Badke

Angela Badke

Education and Scholarly Communication Librarian, Michigan Technological University
Angela is the Education and Scholarly Communication Librarian at Michigan Tech. She began her teaching career as a composition teaching assistant and has years of experience working with new college learners. 
JS

Jenn Sams

Library Assistant Director, Education & Public Services, Michigan Technological University
Jenn wears many hats as the Assistant Director for Education & Public Services at Michigan Tech’s Van Pelt and Opie Library and has led the library instruction program since 2016. She’s interested in the ways that students’ interactions with information in informal settings... Read More →
DS

Dory Shaffer

Research, Education and Outreach Librarian, Michigan Technological University
Dory is the Research, Education and Outreach Librarian at Michigan Tech. She is passionate about student voices and connecting students with high quality information. 
Friday May 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Ballroom IV

10:30am EDT

Higher Education Assessment and Its Discontents
Friday May 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Assessment requirements in universities have become nearly universal across higher education institutions. Evaluation efforts typically focus on documenting student and program learning outcomes. Despite being framed as tools to enhance educational quality, decades of assessment efforts strongly suggest that this goal is not being effectively achieved. Despite nearly 40 years of higher education assessment activity, even assessment professionals have conceded that there is minimal evidence demonstrating that assessment has led to improved student learning outcomes. While substantial amounts of assessment data have been gathered and archived, critics suggest that many of these findings are of questionable quality and limited usefulness. Some faculty critics have concluded that the time devoted to the end-of-semester exercise of organizing, documenting, and reporting student learning outcomes occurs at the expense of more meaningful student-centered advising activities,   course development, improved instructional strategies, and scholarly work.Assessment issues reflect broader shifts in higher education, notably corporatization and increased administrative oversight. Assessment professionals have often implemented behavioral and educational measurement methods without adhering to key principles, leading to ongoing data quality issues. As a result, current assessment measures may lack reliability and validity, reducing their credibility and utility Meanwhile, higher education assessment has become a distinct profession with its own institutions. The assessment community rarely acknowledges research from the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Alternative approaches to learning outcomes assessment, such as student-centered qualitative methods and formative assessment, will also be presented and discussed.
Speakers
avatar for Russell

Russell

Professor of Psychology, Lake Superior State University
H. Russell Searight, Ph.D., MPH, received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Saint Louis University. He later earned a second master’s degree in public health from the Saint Louis University School of Public Health. Dr. Searight has taught in the graduate program at Saint Louis University, as well as in... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Founders Room

10:30am EDT

A walk in our shoes: building classroom community through arts integration
Friday May 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Arts integration isn't new, but often general education teachers don't know where to start. However, we are potentially doing some of our students a disservice by not doing so. Within this session, I will hopefully help you learn that arts integration is as scary or difficult as it may seem. I will also go over an example of integrating art with language arts. Through the use of shoes, students design something that represents them while talking about qualities that make them uniquely themselves. I will also talk about the importance of arts integration and briefly touch on ways of grading it. 
Speakers
KL

Kyle Lafrinere

Graduate Assistant, Northern Michigan University
Kyle is a Marquette transplant, attended NMU in 2012, and found himself unable to leave such a beautiful place once he completed his undergraduate degree. His passion lies in blending art and core subject curriculum, bringing a voice to students who may struggle with traditional classroom... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Peninsula IV

10:30am EDT

Extending Access: Bringing Tutoring and Academic Support to Incarcerated Students
Friday May 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Prison education plays a vital role in expanding access to learning, supporting rehabilitation, and promoting academic success and community reintegration. This presentation highlights the progress of Lake Superior State University’s STEP UP program through two perspectives: the LSSU Academic Success Center Coordinator involved in program administration and implementation, and a student tutor who provides direct academic support to incarcerated learners.


Combining institutional leadership with firsthand tutoring experience, the presentation illustrates a collaborative approach to addressing educational barriers and creating inclusive, equitable learning environments within correctional settings.


The first segment focuses on the development, implementation, and sustainability of the program, including its history, impact, and the logistical, administrative, and security challenges involved. Campus resources, cross-institutional collaboration, and the recruitment and support of student tutors are also discussed.


The second segment centers the student tutor’s perspective, comparing on-campus and prison-based tutoring experiences. This portion highlights the role of individualized, student-centered support in promoting access and equity, addressing common misconceptions about incarcerated students, and fostering tutors’ professional growth and cultural awareness.


Overall, this presentation demonstrates that prison education programs are both feasible and impactful. Attendees will gain practical insights into program design and strategies for leveraging student tutors to expand access to higher education in correctional environments.
Speakers
avatar for Anirudh Gupta

Anirudh Gupta

Student, Lake Superior State University
Biology student at Lake Superior State University. Math Center tutor, STEP UP tutor, Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader for Microbiology.
avatar for Laura Moening

Laura Moening

Coordinator, Academic Success Center & Student Support Advising, Lake Superior State University
Coordinator of the Academic Success Center and Support Advising at Lake Superior State University, where she leads student-centered initiatives focused on tutoring, early alert, and academic success. Member of the STEP UP (Success Through Educational Pathways in the Upper Peninsula... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Peninsula V

10:30am EDT

Using the AI Sandwich Framework to Create OER with Generative AI
Friday May 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
This session explores the potential of generative AI to dramatically accelerate the development of Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are teaching materials that can be retained, reused, revised, remixed, and redistributed due to their license. During the 2021-2022 academic year, college students spent up to $1,240 per year on books; this cost led 63 percent of students to decide not to purchase a textbook. OER may help reduce this financial barrier by providing access to free or low-cost instructional materials. Additionally, the use of OER allows instructors to customize course materials, better aligning them with learning objectives.


OER are in the public domain; therefore, instructors can use tools like generative AI to assist in many tasks relating to their creation. This presentation will introduce and demonstrate the "AI Sandwich" framework for OER creation using AI. The “AI Sandwich” framework has the instructor provide the initial outline, the AI generates a draft, followed by the instructor reviewing and editing the content.


I will showcase the successful application of this technique at Northern Michigan University in the creation of multiple OER textbooks, including Personal Wellbeing, Health Information Literacy, and ECG Interpretation. This practical demonstration will illustrate how the "AI Sandwich" framework can streamline the process, enabling instructors to produce high-quality, customized course materials that are better aligned with specific learning objectives, ultimately improving equitable access and student outcomes.
Speakers
avatar for Matt Kilgas

Matt Kilgas

Associate Professor, Northern Michigan University
Dr. Matthew Kilgas is an Associate Professor in the School of Health and Human Performance at Northern Michigan University (NMU) and the 2025–2027 NMU Teaching and Learning Scholar. His research focuses on exercise-based interventions to restore musculoskeletal function and improve... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Peninsula I

11:30am EDT

Lunch
Friday May 29, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT

Friday May 29, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT
Ballrooms I & II

12:30pm EDT

Reinvigorating Academic Service Learning at NMU: A Roadmap for Faculty Re-Engagement, Mini-Grants, and Community Partnership
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Academic Service Learning (ASL) at Northern Michigan University has a proud history, with a particularly robust campus-wide program through 2015. While ASL has never fully disappeared—a dedicated core of faculty has continued to integrate service learning into their courses—the program has not reached its full potential in recent years. 
This presentation shares NMU’s experience as a case study in reinvigorating ASL at a regional university, with lessons and a replicable framework relevant to faculty across the Upper Peninsula.
Grounded in the democratic civic engagement model of service learning—where students, faculty, and community members serve as co-educators and co-generators of knowledge—this session will walk attendees through three interconnected goals: 


1) looking at the history and documenting existing ASL activity as a foundation for growth; 
2) describing a faculty mini-grant model (up to $750) designed to lower the barriers to ASL adoption; and 
3) exploring strategies for building and sustaining reciprocal community partnerships. 


Ample time for Q&A, an opportunity for two-way conversation and sharing successes from other institutions, as well as a possible NMU faculty roundtable will be included.
Speakers
DL

Don Ludemann

Academic Service Learning Facilitator, Northern Michigan University
Don Ludemann has been newl-appointed as NMU's Academic Service Learning Facilitator.  He's also a Contingent Instructor in the College of Business, where he has taught International Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Nonprofit Management, Introduction to Business, Introduction to... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Peninsula IV

12:30pm EDT

Active Learning Made Manageable: Getting Started with POGIL
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Are your students engaged, thinking critically, and learning with each other? In this interactive workshop, participants will experience Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) from the learner’s perspective and discover how this approach transforms the classroom into a space for active, student-centered learning. POGIL is built around structured teamwork, defined roles, and guided inquiry questions that help students develop both conceptual understanding and essential process skills such as communication, problem solving, and self-assessment. During the session, attendees will participate in a sample POGIL activity, reflect on the underlying pedagogy, and discuss practical strategies for integrating POGIL into their own teaching.
Speakers
avatar for Bridgette Russell

Bridgette Russell

Assistant Professor, Lake Superior State University
Dr. Bridgette Russell Assistant Professor of MathematicsLake Superior State University
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Founders Room

12:30pm EDT

Open Education Initiatives in the Upper Peninsula: Innovation & Collaboration to Make Education More Accessible
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Institutions of Higher Education in the Upper Peninsula have been working to promote and support Open Educational Resources (OER) on their campuses for many years. OER are course materials available at little or often no cost and can be used for teaching, learning, or research (EDUCAUSE, 2010). OER, along with other Open Educational Practices, foster a collaborative, learner-driven environment, which support inclusion and belonging in multiple ways. 


Since 2015, Bay College has built an equity-centered OER initiative featuring OER degree pathways, over 40 OER-based courses, and more than $3 million in textbook savings. Michigan Technological University’s Van Pelt and Opie Library’s OER initiative builds an inclusive campus culture by supporting instructors through consultations, workshops, and publishing tools. Since 2017, Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) has been using OER textbooks in eight of their core and general education classes. In 2024, BMCC was one of 15 institutions from across the country to take part in an OER study funded by Hewlett Foundation and conducted by AAC&U. At Northern Michigan University (NMU), the OER Working Group has concentrated on supporting interested faculty through faculty learning communities and professional development workshops. 


Based on our experiences on our individual campuses,  the panelists will discuss the ways in which OER can be used to support inclusion and belonging.  We will introduce the audience to the basics of OER. We will also discuss the ways in which we engaged with faculty to consider using OER with their classes. Finally, we will discuss how faculty and librarians can utilize technologies already available to them to facilitate the creation of accessible, affordable course materials as a means of supporting student success and belonging, including the use of generative AI and OER publishing tools. 
Speakers
KA

Kathy Adair

Social Science Department Chairperson, Bay Mills Community College
Kathy Adair holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a specialty in Indian Child Welfare from Grand Valley State University. Since 2005, I have been employed at Bay MillsCommunity College (BMCC) as Director of Development and Social Science Department Chair. The development position... Read More →
avatar for Annelise Doll

Annelise Doll

Scholarly Communications Librarian, Michigan Technological University
Annelise Doll is a Scholarly Communications Librarian at Michigan Technological University’s Van Pelt and Opie Library, where she supports the use of open educational resources and open licensing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Master of Science in Information... Read More →
avatar for Joseph Mold

Joseph Mold

Executive Director of Online Learning and Instructional Design, Bay de Noc Community College
Joseph Mold has 15 years of experience leading online learning, instructional design, and faculty development at Bay College. He oversees the college’s transition to Blackboard Ultra, equity-centered OER initiatives that have saved students over $3 million, and accessibility-focused... Read More →
avatar for Emera Bridger Wilson

Emera Bridger Wilson

Incoming Director of Olson Library and NMU Archives, Northern Michigan University
Emera Bridger Wilson is the Chair of the OER Working Group at Northern Michigan University. Emera has a Masters in Library and Information Science and a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology, both from Syracuse University. For her Ph.D. Her research interests revolve around questions of... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Peninsula II

12:30pm EDT

Welcoming Challenge: Talking About Failure
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Learning requires us to risk (and often experience) failure. If we want our students to develop a willingness to welcome challenges and risk failure, we as teachers must grapple with our own discomfort with failure. This interactive session explores how fear of failure prevents us from embracing growth opportunities and offers practical strategies for building resilience through reframing failure as a learning process. 
We will begin with candid failure stories from the presenter. By examining specific stories through two different lenses—one focused on what went wrong, another on what was learned—participants will explore how narrative framing shapes our relationship with failure and influences our ability to move forward. We will also talk about the need to make our classrooms and learning communities places of trust as a precursor to talking about failure productively.
The session will include activities and structured discussions that examine critical questions: What distinguishes "failing at something" from "being a failure"? How does fear of failure inhibit risk-taking and question-asking in academic settings? What are the real consequences of failure versus perceived ones? When does failure represent a learning opportunity rather than simply a mistake? 
Participants will engage in small-group discussions tailored to their varied roles, exploring topics such as creating early low-stakes opportunities for students to fail and recover, normalizing help-seeking behaviors, processing disappointing results in professional contexts, and developing strategies to encourage student engagement despite fear of looking foolish.
The session concludes with an introduction to practical tools for productive failure discussions, including premortems, test wrapper reflections, and project life graphs. Attendees will leave with  concrete "small bite" strategies they can implement immediately to help students—and themselves—develop healthier relationships with failure, ultimately building the resilience necessary to truly welcome challenge.




Speakers
avatar for Maria Bergstrom

Maria Bergstrom

Asociate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Associate Teaching Professor, Michigan Technological University
Dr. Maria Bergstrom is Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education in the College of Sciences and Arts and Associate Teaching Professor in the Humanities department at Michigan Technological University. She is also co-director of Michigan Tech’s IDEAhub, an educational innovation... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Peninsula V

12:30pm EDT

Beyond Quizzes: Practice-Based Learning Activities with Generative AI
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Generative AI tools are increasingly used in teaching and learning, yet many classroom implementations rely on familiar formats such as quizzes, summaries, and short responses. While useful, these approaches can overlook opportunities for deeper engagement, reflection, and skill development.


This interactive session introduces ten practice-based learning activities that instructors can use with large language models (LLMs) to support higher-order thinking and meaningful student interaction. Drawing on recent work in instructional design and AI-supported learning, participants will explore activities such as Rapid Fire questioning, AI-facilitated post-mortems, adaptive case studies, devil’s advocate debate, decision-based simulations, and assumption-testing exercises. These approaches position AI as a facilitator, challenger, and reflective partner rather than a replacement for human judgment.


Participants will experience several of the activities in real time and discuss how they can be adapted across disciplines, modalities, and course levels. The session will also introduce practical strategies for helping students engage with AI responsibly by distinguishing between ethical guidelines for AI use and integrity-driven behaviors such as verification, transparency, and critical questioning.


Attendees will leave with adaptable activity templates, starter prompts, and practical ideas for incorporating AI-supported practice into their own courses while maintaining human-centered learning design.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Athena Stanley

Dr. Athena Stanley

Founder & CEO, Athena Global Learning
Dr. Athena Stanley, a Marquette native and proud Yooper, holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and the Science of Learning from the University at Buffalo (2018), as well as an M.A.E. in Instruction (2013) and a B.A. in Elementary Education (2010) from Northern Michigan University... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Peninsula I

12:30pm EDT

Beyond the Prompt: Building Custom Gemini "Gems" for Faculty Productivity and OER Design
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
As artificial intelligence becomes an integral part of the higher education landscape, the focus often shifts to student usage. However, for faculty, the most significant potential of Generative AI lies in its ability to reduce administrative overhead and accelerate course design. This hands-on workshop introduces participants to Gemini Gems, customizable AI Personas within the Google Workspace ecosystem that act as private, subject-matter experts.
Unlike standard chatbots, "Gems" allow faculty to anchor AI responses in their own professional materials, such as syllabi, lecture notes, or research papers. In this session, we will demystify the process of "programming" an AI without code. Using the "OER Content Creator" as our primary case study, we will demonstrate how faculty can transform dense academic texts into student-friendly study guides, summaries, and retrieval-practice questions in seconds.
Special attention will be paid to data privacy and institutional security. We will explore "student-data-free" workflows, ensuring that faculty can leverage AI power while maintaining strict boundaries around student IP and FERPA-sensitive information.
What to Expect: Participants should bring a laptop and a digital sample of their own teaching materials (e.g., a PDF article or lecture notes). Through a live demonstration of Gemini’s "Magic Wand" feature, attendees will see how a rough idea is transformed into a sophisticated system prompt. By the end of this 50-minute session, every participant will have designed and saved the first draft of their own custom Gem, ready for immediate use in their teaching or research workflow.
Speakers
avatar for Grant Langdon

Grant Langdon

Assistant Director & Adjunct Faculty, Northern Michigan University
Grant Langdon is the assistant director of Career Services.  His work focuses on preparing students to choose the next career step and develop the skills required to pursue that desired path while ready for the unforeseeable opportunities that come from the chaos of life.  Grant... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:20pm EDT
Ballroom IV

1:30pm EDT

Artificial Intelligence for Teaching and Learning Complexity and Complex Systems
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
The use of artificial intelligence in academia has accelerated, alongside growing concerns that it may contribute to students’ cognitive decline and the erosion of critical thinking and deep learning. Proponents of AI, particularly university administrators, argue that its efficient, effective, and ethical use can enhance teaching and learning while improving students’ employability. When responsibly applied, AI can support the learning of complexity—a domain that is challenging to teach because it involves higher-order thinking, dynamic interactions, and several interconnected parts. Employing AI as a teaching tool and Socratic tutor, rather than as “tell pedagogy,” may foster deeper student understanding of complexity. Drawing on AI-enhanced modeling platforms (SD-A and CoModel.io), this presentation demonstrates how students and faculty can use AI responsibly to understand complex systems and identify best practices for AI-supported teaching on complexity.
Speakers
avatar for Jelili Adebiyi

Jelili Adebiyi

Faculty, Northern Michigan University
Dr. Jelili Adebiyi is an interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner who draws on systems thinking, mixed methods, and participatory approaches to model and understand decision-making, inform policy formulation, and advance solutions to messy and complex agrifood, environmental, climate... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Founders Room

1:30pm EDT

Can Your Students Describe What They Learned? A Practical Introduction to Competency-Based Thinking
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Good course design starts with one clear question: what must students actually be able to do? Competency-based education is built on that question. When the answer is clear, something else happens too: students leave with language for what they learned, not just a grade that summarizes it.

This session offers a beginner-friendly introduction to CBE: what it is, what it is not, and what it actually requires of a course. New to CBE? Good. This session starts from the beginning.

Using real examples from occupational and technical disciplines, we will look at three questions CBE forces faculty to answer: What must students actually be able to do? What would count as real evidence that they can do it? And how do you clearly define success so that students can name what they have learned?

Attendees will leave with a practical framework they can apply to their own courses and a clearer picture of what a CBE-informed course redesign actually involves.

NMU faculty interested in going further are invited to learn about the summer CBE Workshop Series, launching this summer through the NMU Evergreen initiative.
Artists
SD

Sarah DeMark

Founder, Brightline Strategy
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Ballroom IV

1:30pm EDT

Mindful Self-Compassion for Students and Faculty
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
College students who are navigating high levels of stress, perfectionism, and fear of failure often experience difficulties with motivation, resilience, and academic performance (Kahn et al., 2023). Simultaneously, faculty are expected to maintain academic rigor while responding to growing student needs, often without additional time or resources (Riba, 2025). This session explores how mindful self-compassion can be integrated into the classroom as an evidence-based approach to support student learning and faculty well-being. This session emphasizes practical, easy-to-implement strategies that faculty can apply across disciplines, including compassionate syllabus framing, resilience-building feedback practices, and brief in-class techniques that support student attention and engagement. Presenters will also discuss how faculty can manage stress through mindful self-compassion strategies. Participants will leave with concrete tools, examples, and language they can immediately apply to support student resilience, improve classroom engagement, and create learning environments that benefit both students and educators.
 
Kahn, J. H., Fishman, J. I., Galati, S. L., & Meyer, D. M. (2023). Perfectionism, locus of control, and academic stress among college students. Personality and Individual Differences, 213, Article 112313.
 
Riba, E. B. (2025). Towards defining the faculty role in supporting student mental health. Current Psychiatry Reports, 27, 319–325.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Hartline

Christina Hartline

Associate Professor/Psychologist, Northern Michigan University
Christy is originally from the Iron Range in Minnesota. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Dakota. Dr. Hartline completed her pre-doctoral psychology... Read More →
avatar for Becca Redmond

Becca Redmond

Assistant Professor/Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Northern Michigan University
Becca grew up in the northern region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. She discovered her love for the Upper Peninsula while attending Northern Michigan University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2013. After several years working in outdoor education, she pursued her passion... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Peninsula IV

1:30pm EDT

Universal Design for Learning in University Language Classrooms
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
This presentation explores how university-level foreign language courses can be intentionally designed to advance accessibility, equity, and belonging through principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Framed within the conference track on Supporting Accessibility and Belonging, the session highlights how language instructors can reduce barriers while maintaining rigorous communicative and intercultural learning outcomes.
Drawing on the Universal Design for Learning framework, the presentation shares concrete strategies implemented in undergraduate language courses, including multimodal input (text, audio, video, visuals), flexible participation structures, scaffolded interpersonal tasks, transparent grading criteria, and multiple options for demonstrating proficiency. Particular attention is given to accessible course materials (captioned videos, screen reader–friendly documents, appropriate font sizes) and assignment design that anticipates learner variability rather than retrofitting accommodations.
From the instructor's perspective, the session outlines a backward-design process that aligns communicative objectives with inclusive pedagogical choices. Examples include choice-based cultural projects, low-stakes formative assessments, collaborative small group task-based projects, and classroom norms that support linguistic risk-taking. The presentation also addresses common tensions in language teaching—such as balancing accuracy and fluency, or standard language ideologies and linguistic diversity—and how inclusive design can foster both academic rigor and student agency.
Equally central are student perspectives gathered through informal conversations, surveys, and reflective feedback. An undergraduate student will share their and other students’ experiences regarding accessibility and belonging. Reported experiences suggest that UDL-informed strategies support students with documented accommodations and enhance learning for all students.
Participants will leave with adaptable lesson-planning tools, sample activities, and reflection prompts to strengthen accessibility, celebrate diversity, and promote academic success for all learners. These tools help redesign language courses to reduce barriers, affirm diverse identities, and promote sustained academic success. While this presentation focuses on UDL in language courses, some of its strategies could be applied to courses in other fields. 
Speakers
EM

Estela Mira Barreda

Assistant Teaching Professor, Michigan Technological University
Estela Mira Barreda (Assistant Teaching Professor) earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from her home university, Universitat Jaume I in Spain; a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Special Education with Bilingual and ESL endorsements from the University of Illinois... Read More →
BS

Bela Soderquist

Undergraduate Student, Michigan Technological University
Active students are those who do more than just show up to class every day. Active students take a, well, ACTIVE role in their academic, professional, and personal lives. For example, I spend my time at MTU focussing on more than just my studies. Although studying is at the very top... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Peninsula V

1:30pm EDT

Digital Communication and Creation Across Disciplines
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
During the 2025-2026, the Center for Teaching and Learning sponsored a Faculty Learning Community (FLC) that explores and develops methods for integrating assignments and other activities where students create digital content and deliverables. Adobe Express will be the primary tool set utilized for these activities. As the initial cohort of six faculty, we are representing 5 different disciplines across campus and conducting this project in 6 different courses. Led by the CTL Director and an Art & Design faculty member, we were tasked to meet regularly in order to participate in relevant professional development, design and incorporate digital deliverables in our courses, and develop a research project.  
Throughout this process, each of the faculty have developed and implemented multimodal assignments of
varying lengths and point values while introducing potentially new digital content creators, e.g. Adobe
Express or Figma, as tools to compose their projects. As a group, the faculty have created a multifaceted
survey to address effectiveness of the use of these tools to achieve student learning outcomes. The faculty will share the survey questions. 


Students will be asked to complete a survey after the semester. Each student participant will answer a set of core questions and then each class has a set of discipline-relevant questions. At the time of this conference, the PIs will have the ability to report on the findings for the survey and have projects to share from students who have agreed to share their work for this study. Presenters will also introduce free digital creation tools for participants to consider as alternatives to Adobe Express. 
Speakers
TA

Tom Adolphs

Assistant Professor, NMU
Co-Lead of the Digital Communication and Creation Across Disciplines Faculty Learning Community
avatar for Rebecca Estelle

Rebecca Estelle

Contingent Senior Instructor, Deaf Studies ~LLiS, Northern Michigan University
Member of the Digital Communication and Creation Across Disciplines Faculty Learning Community
MK

Maryam Khaledi

Associate Professor, NMU
Member of the Digital Communication and Creation Across Disciplines Faculty Learning Community
DL

Don Ludemann

Academic Service Learning Facilitator, Northern Michigan University
Don Ludemann has been newl-appointed as NMU's Academic Service Learning Facilitator.  He's also a Contingent Instructor in the College of Business, where he has taught International Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Nonprofit Management, Introduction to Business, Introduction to... Read More →
HM

Hayden McKee-Zech

Assistant Professor, NMU
Member of the Digital Communication and Creation Across Disciplines Faculty Learning Community
avatar for Elizabeth (Liz) Monske

Elizabeth (Liz) Monske

Professor, Northern Michigan University
Member of the Digital Communication and Creation Across Disciplines Faculty Learning Community
CO

Carmen Ollila

Contingent Instructor, NMU
Member of the Digital Communication and Creation Across Disciplines Faculty Learning Community
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Peninsula II

1:30pm EDT

Efficacy of Faculty Training to Improve Confidence Implementing Ethical Use of Generative AI in the Classroom
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
The applied improvement project implemented professional development training to boost faculty readiness for ethical AI integration in the classroom. Guided by Magana’s T3F Framework, it addressed questions on how an online AI module would support ethical strategies, confidence, implementation across disciplines, understanding of benefits, and training effectiveness. Faculty from varied disciplines and roles participated, with data gathered via semistructured interviews and an AIP Implementation Journal, analyzed through Braun and Clarke’s thematic approach. Key themes from interviews included transparency, ethical AI use, academic integrity, AI literacy, classroom integration, workload, hesitancy, and training efficiency, while the journal tracked challenges and successes, showing the training's value in advancing AI integration literature. Recommendations focus on expanding training, creating AI policies, and offering ongoing support to reduce resistance and build confidence
Speakers
avatar for Vince Jeevar

Vince Jeevar

Contingent Assistant Professor, Northern Michigan University
I have been in the US for over 25 years, having moved over here from England for my wife. We met online way before it was normal. We live in the UP of Michigan with our two children (a daughter and a son), two dogs, and two cats. I love soccer, and I support Austin FC. I spent most... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Peninsula I

2:30pm EDT

Courageous Care: Sharing CLASS Highlights
Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
Courageous Care recognizes that transformative education emerges when universities genuinely prioritize student and educator learning, well-being, belonging and success. In this session, Dr. Joubert will share her takeaways from the recent Conference on Learning and Student Success (CLASS) hosted by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. She will showcase proven practices foundational for learning as demonstrated at CLASS with a focus on evidence-based teaching and high-impact educational practices and experiences (HIPEs) that elevate student outcomes. Additionally, she will demonstrate a wellbeing centered general education curricula to support student success as future wellbeing change agents. Courageous care supports the Okanagan Charter and Limerick Framework Actions by enhancing human connection; linking academic, cocurricular, and social supports; sharing solutions for diverse student realities; building institutional capacity through professional development; and redefining what it means to foster measurable success for every student.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Lanae Joubert

Dr. Lanae Joubert

Professor; Wellbeing Scholar, NMU
A tenured Professor at Northern Michigan University (NMU) since 2010, Dr. Joubert has taught a variety of nutrition courses and is an outdoor enthusiast. Holding a PhD in Nutrition from Oregon State University, she is a board-certified sports dietitian and a strength & conditioning... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
Peninsula IV

2:30pm EDT

Evaluating Hands-On Learning: The Impact of Physical Manipulatives on GD&T Instruction
Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) is a system that uses symbols on engineering drawings to communicate a design intent, tolerances, and dimensions. GD&T has many complex concepts that are difficult to understand. Although GD&T is an essential skill for students seeking a career in manufacturing and engineering, many college graduates enter the workforce without a strong conceptual understanding of its principles. This study investigates whether incorporating hands-on physical manipulatives into GD&T instruction elevates student learning outcomes compared to traditional lecture-based instruction. The study will be conducted by dividing engineering students into a control group and a treatment group. The control group will receive only lecture instruction, while the treatment group will be given both hands-on activities to demonstrate the part inspection process for GD&T and lecture instruction. Both groups will be given a pre-test, post-test, and exit survey to measure changes in conceptual understanding and student perceptions of learning. The results from this study will be presented as a comparison of the control and treatment groups, and these findings may provide evidence-based guidance for improving instructional strategies in engineering and manufacturing course design.
Speakers
avatar for Teresa Janowski

Teresa Janowski

CTE Engineering Design Instructor, Michigan Technological University
Teresa Janowski graduated from Michigan Technological University in 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. She is currently a full-time graduate student at Michigan Technological University while also teaching Engineering Design through the Copper Country... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
Ballroom IV

2:30pm EDT

Turning Grade Grubbing into learning: End of term strategies
Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
As we reach the end of the term, we dread the student e-mails that read "Is there any way I can get just a few more points to raise my grade?  I'm so close..."   Planning for these inevitable requests provides opportunities to have students learn just a bit more before the semester ends.  The presenter will explore two strategies used for finalizing end-of-term grade assignment, and will encourage participants to share their own ideas about how to navigate and fairly manage students at grade boundaries.
Speakers
avatar for Michael R. Meyer

Michael R. Meyer

Teaching Professor, Michigan Technological University
Mike teaches large introductory physics classes.  As a former CTL director, he loves talking about teaching and learning.
Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
Founders Room

2:30pm EDT

Using Student-Generated Data to Understand Motivation, Identity, and Cross-Cultural Differences in Statistics Courses
Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
In my engineering statistics and biostatistics courses, I introduced a series of optional extra-credit questions on each homework assignment designed to encourage personal expression—questions such as “Can you teach me a slang word?”, “Who is your idol?”, and “What is your dream job?” Over the semester, I collected more than 120 responses for each question, analyzed the patterns, and discovered insights that surprised me, especially given my East Asian educational background. Students shared humor, creativity, and cultural perspectives that rarely appear in traditional STEM assignments. This presentation explores what these responses reveal about student motivation, identity, and values in an international classroom environment. I will connect the findings to cross-cultural differences in educational expectations and discuss how personal questions can humanize STEM learning, increase engagement, and help instructors understand their students more deeply. The talk concludes with practical suggestions for integrating culturally responsive and relationship-centered strategies into a variety of courses.
Speakers
avatar for Xiaoqing Gao

Xiaoqing Gao

Assistant Teaching Professor, Michigan Technological University
Xiaoqing Gao, Ph.D., is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Michigan Technological University. Dr. Gao has a background in biostatistics and has taught a variety of undergraduate statistics courses. Her teaching interests include regression modeling, statistical methods, and the development... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
Peninsula V

2:30pm EDT

Generative AI in the Math Classroom
Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
Generative AI is rapidly working its way into the classroom. How do we use these technologies? What are AI’s strengths and limitations? What even is Generative AI? As educators, we must understand emerging technologies as they evolve to support our students’ learning needs!


This talk will touch on findings from a semester-long, student-driven research study regarding the benefits of Generative AI in math education. Presenters will dive into how prompt engineering can be used to create lesson plans and classroom activities. There will be a short demonstration showing how educators can incorporate AI tools into their lesson-planning process.
Speakers
EF

Erin Frank

Student, Northern Michigan University
NMU Secondary Math Education Student
SJ

Shelby Juidici

Contingent Instructor, Northern Michigan University
NMU Math Instructor/ Study Lead
DM

Daniel Maki

Student, Northern Michigan University
NMU Secondary Math Education Student
LW

Laura Walch

Student, Northern Michigan University
NMU Secondary Math Education Student
Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
Peninsula I

3:00pm EDT

Bridging Theory and Practice: A Faculty-Driven Skills Camp to Strengthen NP Students’ Clinical Readiness
Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:20pm EDT
Background/Introduction: As nurse practitioner (NP) education increasingly shifts to hybrid and online models, there is a growing need to bridge theoretical learning with hands-on clinical skills and experience. Students often lack in-person opportunities to build procedural confidence before clinical rotations.
Purpose: The objective of this project was to design and implement an immersive, in-person, faculty-led skills camp to improve NP students’ readiness for clinical practice through structured, hands-on skill development and faculty feedback.
ProceduresFaculty at Northern Michigan University developed a four-day in-person clinical skills camp for NP students prior to the start of their clinical rotations. Students engaged in hands-on practice of essential procedures, including abscess drainage, joint injections, removal of foreign bodies from the eyes and ears, dermatologic procedures, and suturing. Clinical Skills USA facilitated specialized training in pelvic and prostate examinations. Students evaluated the camp using a post-event Likert-scale survey and open-ended feedback.
Results: Student feedback demonstrated high satisfaction. Most presenters were rated “Agree” or “Strongly Agree” on knowledge, organization, engagement, and value. Open-ended responses highlighted hands-on practice, particularly suturing, as the most beneficial aspect. A key recommendation was to extend the camp duration. 
Limitations: No pre- and post-evaluations were conducted, limiting the ability to measure objective improvements in skill or confidence. Student feedback was based on a post-camp survey that relied on self-reports and may be subject to bias. Additionally, students had to travel and arrange their own accommodations, which may limit participation or create inequities. Time constraints also limited the number of practice opportunities for certain procedures. 
Conclusions/Implications for Practice: The skills camp effectively addressed gaps in clinical preparedness by offering early exposure to procedures in a supportive, in-person learning environment. Faculty-led immersive training is an impactful intervention for hybrid NP programs seeking to better prepare students for clinical rotations.
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Andriacchi

Michelle Andriacchi

Associate Professor, Northern Michigan University
Dr. Michelle Andriacchi is an Associate Professor at Northern Michigan University. She teaches in both undergraduate and graduate programs. She is the Wildpups coordinator. She is an experienced nurse practitioner and is part of the graduate committee. Michelle and her therapy dog... Read More →
avatar for Melissa Romero

Melissa Romero

Professor, Northern Michigan University
Dr. Melissa Romero is a Professor at Northern Michigan University. She teaches in both undergraduate and graduate programs. She is the Graduate program coordinator at NMU. She is an experienced nurse practitioner. Melissa and her therapy dog, Sweedee, are part of the Wildpups program... Read More →
avatar for Anne Stein

Anne Stein

Professor, Northern Michigan University
Dr. Anne Stein is a Professor at Northern Michigan University. She teaches in both undergraduate and graduate programs. She is an experienced nurse practitioner and is part of the graduate committee. Anne and her therapy dog, Ramsey, are part of the Wildpups program and support the... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:20pm EDT
Ballroom IV

3:00pm EDT

Closing the Learning Gap: Using Structured Self-Analysis to Help Students Develop Effective Study Approaches
Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:20pm EDT
Students often come to college without understanding how to approach learning effectively. This study examined the impact of structured self-analysis and reflection on 15 undergraduate students' metacognition, grit, learning styles, self-efficacy, and motivation. At the beginning of the semester, students completed a researcher-developed pre-assessment documenting their integrated understanding of how these constructs inform studying habits. For each construct, students participated in two instructional sessions covering theoretical foundations and practical applications, completed established self-assessments (Duckworth's Grit Scale, Bandura's Self-Efficacy Scale, Kolb's Learning Style Inventory), and wrote structured reflections analyzing their results. After seven weeks, students completed the post-assessment. A paired samples t-test revealed significant improvement in students' integrated understanding (t(14) = -2.47, p = .027). Thematic analysis showed students translated insights into action: they created individualized learning goals, with self-regulation and grit emerging as the most frequently identified areas for development. These findings suggest that structured self-analysis enables students to move from theoretical understanding to actionable learning strategies.
Speakers
avatar for Jen

Jen

PhD Student, Research Assistant, MTU
Jenifer Shaud, a PhD student at Michigan Technological University. She is a dedicated educator and researcher with extensive expertise in special education and supporting students with disabilities. Jen earned her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:20pm EDT
Founders Room

3:00pm EDT

The Accessible Tech Challenge: Gaining Buy-In Through Gamification
Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:20pm EDT
With recent ADA Title II changes, getting faculty onboard with accessibility issues is more important than ever. At Michigan Tech, we developed a pilot program called the Accessible Tech Challenge, which seeks to gamify learning about accessibility issues and train faculty in how to apply our existing framework (a “5+2” approach which emphasizes focus on the biggest accessibility challenges in creating learning materials) going forward. It sought to engage faculty through the “challenge” aspect, which included a prize for meeting goals, and through the prospect of scaffolded learning throughout the semester that made allowances for busy schedules.


Join members of the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning will discuss how we developed the challenge, the process of implementing it, the short-term impact on faculty who participated, and our plans for going forward with the program.
Speakers
avatar for William Crowell

William Crowell

Instructional Developer, Michigan Tech
William is an Instructional Developer at Michigan Tech who focuses on digital accessibility and online instruction. He holds a MA in Media Theory and Research from Southern Illinois University and a MLIS from the University of South Florida.
JT

Jeff Toorongian

Director, Michigan Technological University
Jeff is the Director of the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning where he leads initiatives in digital accessibility and faculty development. He has a Masters of Educational Technology from Boise State University.
Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:20pm EDT
Peninsula V

3:00pm EDT

Breaking the AICE: Simple AI Tools That Help Faculty See AI as C-3PO (Not Terminator)
Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:20pm EDT
Many instructors are curious about AI but hesitant to try it—concerned about academic integrity, accuracy, and “opening the floodgates.” This 20-minute mini-session is designed to break the AICE: the awkward first step where AI feels intimidating or risky. Using a familiar, low-stakes starting point—simple AI tools built into Blackboard Ultra—we’ll help faculty experience AI as a practical helper: C-3PO (clarifies, organizes, translates expectations) rather than Terminator (takes over, threatens learning).
Participants will see two quick, high-impact workflows:
  1. Rubric drafting to clarify expectations and speed up feedback
  2. Question generation for low-stakes practice/self-check quizzes that improve engagement and success
We’ll emphasize one guiding rule—AI drafts, humans decide—and provide quick “safety checks” for accuracy, alignment, and tone. Attendees will leave with a one-page AICE Starter Kit and a simple way to model responsible AI use.
Speakers
avatar for Joseph Mold

Joseph Mold

Executive Director of Online Learning and Instructional Design, Bay de Noc Community College
Joseph Mold has 15 years of experience leading online learning, instructional design, and faculty development at Bay College. He oversees the college’s transition to Blackboard Ultra, equity-centered OER initiatives that have saved students over $3 million, and accessibility-focused... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:20pm EDT
Peninsula I

3:30pm EDT

Heart-based Learning with Arts-Based Methods
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Come explore the integration of heart-based learning in educational practice in this 50 minute participatory session. Northern Michigan University teacher and re-Searcher Jaime VanEnkevort and co-presenters will facilitate conversation on what heart-based teaching and learning is and share an example of an arts-based method called, "A Walk in Your Shoes." Presenters will speak and share from their experience as teachers and high school students in the classroom and re-Search setting. 
Speakers
avatar for Jaime VanEnkevort

Jaime VanEnkevort

Instructor, Northern Michigan University
Jaime is a teacher and re-Searcher in the Education department at Northern Michigan University. Jaime is interested in youth advocacy, teaching for liberation and change, and learning from more-than-human relatives to enact joy and belonging in educational spaces.
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Peninsula IV

3:30pm EDT

Integrating AI Literacy into the Composition Classroom: Successes, Challenges, and Insights
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Integrating AI Literacy into the Composition Classroom: Successes, Challenges, and Insights


To address the rising use of generative AI by students to write their assignments in English classes, I decided to try something different. Instead of banning AI use – an approach which I have found impractical and ineffective - I integrated activities into the course work to help students better understand the benefits and drawbacks of using AI: when it is a helpful tool, and when it prevents them from gaining critical thinking and writing skills. Together, we developed a class AI policy for the semester.


In this workshop I will discuss the successes and challenges of this approach and the insights I gained. Student perspectives on the project will also be included. You will have the opportunity to engage in the activities and consider how they could be used or adapted for your own discipline and classroom.
Speakers
NG

Nancy Gold

Contingent Associate Professor, Northern Michigan University
Nancy Gold has taught a variety of English courses - including developmental composition, creative writing and mythology - at Nothern Michigan University for the last 12 years. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Norhtern... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Founders Room

3:30pm EDT

Bridging Cultures and Concepts: Indigenous Approaches to Inclusive STEM Teaching
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
This presentation explores practical ways to integrate Indigenous culture into science and mathematics instruction to improve understanding and create more inclusive classrooms. Participants will examine a culturally-based visualization tool that models complex biological and anatomical structures and helps students grasp difficult scientific ideas. The session will also demonstrate math lessons that connect basic skills to Indigenous knowledge and community practices. In addition, the presentation will share a classroom project that combines cultural learning with core mathematics objectives. Finally, participants will review online course design tools that support cultural representation and student engagement. Together, these examples show how culturally responsive teaching can strengthen comprehension, motivation, and equity in both in-person and online STEM courses.


Speakers
avatar for Natalia Chugunov

Natalia Chugunov

Science Department Chair and Faculty, Bay Mills Community College
Natalia Chugunov is originally from Russia where she earned her MD degree at St. Petersburg State Pavlov Medical University in 1996. She moved to the United States in 1998. She taught Biology and Anatomy and Physiology courses, both on-campus and online, at Ivy Tech Community college... Read More →
avatar for Jan Miller

Jan Miller

Math Department Chair and Faculty, Bay Mills Community College
Jan Miller serves as Mathematics Department Chair at Bay Mills Community College.  She has taught in a Tribal College for most of her teaching career.  Jan has a Masters in Mathematics from University of Houston.
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Peninsula II

3:30pm EDT

Learning to see with both eyes: Teaching for both Indigenous and academic Science
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Since time immemorial, Indigenous communities have employed scientific processes to understand and steward resources here on Turtle Island (North America). Educators seeking to bring these Indigenous knowledges into their classroom need frameworks for conceptualizing the historical and current relationships between Western/academic science, and Indigenous science. This discussion-based session will allow K-12 practitioners to engage with such a framework (called "Two-Eyed Seeing") via the expertise of three Upper Peninsula-based scholars.
Speakers
A

[email protected]

Student Success Advisor; MS alumni, Northern Michigan University
Andie Balenger (she/her) is an alumni of NMU (2025), where she earned a Master’s degree in the administration of outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism. She is currently a Student Success Advisor at NMU and a former crew leader for the Great Lakes Tribal Conservation Corps. Her... Read More →
MA

Mai Anh

Ph.D. candidate, Forest Science, Michigan Technological University
Thi Mai Anh Tran is an environmental and natural resource scientist and Ph.D. candidate in Forest Science at Michigan Technological University. Her research bridges Indigenous and Western sciences to strengthen forest stewardship, community resilience, and climate adaptation. In partnership... Read More →
TM

Tommy Mackey

Professor of Outdoor Recreation and Education, Lake Superior State University
Tommy (he/him) is an outdoor educator and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Outdoor Recreation and Leadership at Lake Superior State University. He holds a PhD. in Environmental Education (SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry) and a M.Ed. in Secondary Science... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Peninsula V

3:30pm EDT

AI for Doubters: Why None of Us Should Ignore Artificial Intelligence (even though we may really, really want to)
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Second Life. Wikis. Blogs. Flip video cameras. Interactive DVD courseware.


If you've been around higher ed for the last 10 or 15 years, those are just a few of the educational technology tools that you've seen spike in popularity, then fall into niche usage or go away entirely.  Will AI be the next "revolutionary" technology to have a few shining moments of glory before fading into ed tech history? Those of us who aren't huge fans of AI might hope so . . . but we'd be disappointed.  


In this interactive session, the presenter, a veteran instructional technology advocate and somewhat reluctant AI user, will lead a discussion on why AI is here to stay, and why even non-enthusiasts should carefully consider how it may fit into their teaching and learning processes. Participants will receive worksheets and tools to assist with working through that determination and for communicating AI guidelines to students. You probably won't leave with a new love for AI, but our students don't need AI evangelism. They do need guidance, and it is our responsibility to provide it. 
Speakers
avatar for Matt Smock

Matt Smock

Director, Northern Michigan University
Matt Smock is the founding Director of Northern Michigan University’s Center for Teaching and Learning, which facilitates excellence in classroom and online instruction and promotes scholarship of teaching and learning by providing professional development, tools, and other supporting... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Ballroom IV

3:30pm EDT

Is Excel dead? How do we teach data literacy in the AI era?
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
The current generation of college students are accustomed to apps, internet searching and AI to answer questions. With the push towards Artificial Intelligence fluency in the classroom and workplace, how do we develop critical thinking skills related to data analysis?
 
Recent news articles in the Wall Street Journal highlight this environment with a WSJ article on UC – San Diego noting that 1 in 12 incoming freshmen can’t do middle school math. According to another article “AI will get better and better, but the most important skill in the white-collar field now is critical thinking” How do we get junior employees to learn without AI so that they have the cognitive skills to do more complex jobs 1-5 years into the workforce?
 
60% of my current students self-reported little or no Excel experience before starting my introduction to decision science class. Follow-on courses focus on business analytics and higher level critical thinking skills, will they have the skills necessary to succeed? Using Excel allows students to see the data and mathematical relationships clearly without being obscured by complex code. The challenges of working in Excel to teach critical mathematical and thinking skills will be presented with a structured discussion of what needs to be done in the future. 
Speakers
avatar for Roger Woods

Roger Woods

Teaching Professor, Michigan Technological University
Roger Woods has taught at Michigan Technological University’s College of Business since 2003 and is currently a Teaching Professor. Before his teaching career he worked as an industrial engineer and engineering manager at IBM. Roger has taught a variety of 10 different courses across... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Peninsula I
 
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