Faculty and staff make UHart’s distinctive educational experience possible. These resources are here to support your work, deepen your impact, and empower your continued growth.
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Professional Development Wednesdays
As part of our ongoing commitment to reimagining excellence and strengthening campus culture, the second Wednesday of each month is set aside for faculty and staff development. From 12:45 to 2 p.m., no meetings are scheduled—this time is reserved for your professional growth.
Each month, you’ll have the flexibility to choose how you engage. We encourage you to take part in any of the University-sponsored sessions, designed to spark learning, build community, and support your goals. Space is limited, so be sure to register early!
Dec. 12–Session Schedule
Time: 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. | Location: Wilde Auditorium
Join us for Doing December Differently, a day dedicated to connection, reflection, and community as we close out the semester and prepare for the holiday season.
The program will open in Wilde Auditorium with Najeia Mention, LCSW, Psychotherapist with Counseling and Psychological Services, who will guide participants through a grounding exercise and lead a thoughtful conversation about the emotional challenges that can arise during this time of year. Topics will include navigating grief, financial pressures, loneliness, isolation, and the transitions that come with leaving campus for the holidays.
Following the kickoff, the campus community is encouraged to take part in Spirit Wednesday activities, wear red, and enjoy a $5 meal at the Commons. Participate in the HEAT De-Stress Zone from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Konover Great Room. You can also donate to NOSH and volunteer at the annual Late-Night Breakfast in the Commons.
Doing December Differently is about finding strength in community, prioritizing well-being, and embracing meaningful ways to connect and celebrate together.
Questions? Contact Llonia Rojan Jackson.
Time: 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. | Location: Shaw Center, Hillyer Hall
Join us to explore activities designed to connect prior knowledge to new concepts and enhance transfer and generalization. Learn practical strategies, such as using concept mapping to visually grapple with connections between key ideas.
Engage in hands-on activities, including using generative AI to design your learning environment to support a deeper understanding and retention of new material.
Questions? Contact Lisa Zawilinski.
*After 25 registrants, registration will close.
Time: 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. | Location: Library-Woods Classroom
Wave your wand and let AI work its magic! This spellbinding session unveils Blackboard’s AI Design Assistant for effortless quizzes, assignments, rubrics, and visuals, plus the AI Roleplay tool for immersive, interactive learning. But that’s not all—discover how Google NotebookLM can act as your AI research assistant, organizing course materials, summarizing key concepts, and streamlining your workflow.
Save time, spark creativity, and enchant your students with AI-powered tools that make course design feel like wizardry. Join us and add a little magic to your teaching!
Questions? Contact Bevin Rainwater.
*After 25 registrants, registration will close.
Time: 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. | Location: TBD
In this session, faculty will learn how to use SPIN, a database that allows users to search for external sponsored funding opportunities. Tips will be given on filtering results and setting up funding alerts that go straight to faculty email inboxes.
Faculty are encouraged to bring any questions about finding grant opportunities and applying for grants through the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Questions? Contact Julie Barnofski.
*After 20 registrations, registration will close.
Time: 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. | Location: CC 114
Argos is the tool used to extract data and information from Banner. The Argos Web Viewer is the new, easy-to-use interface that allows you to run Argos dashboards and reports directly in a web browser from anywhere on campus.
This class will cover some of the basics of using that web viewer, including working with Dashboards, saving extracts, and the basic vocabulary of working with these queries. The class size is capped at 12 participants to ensure individual attention.
Questions? Contact Lynn Thibodeau.
*After 12 registrants, registration will close.
Time: 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. | Location: Public Safety Training Room
This class will contain highlights from the American Heart Association Heartsaver course, which trains individuals with little or no medical training to provide CPR in an emergency.
Due to the brevity of the session (1.25 hours), it will not be long enough to provide actual certification in CPR, but will go over the basic elements of American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR.
Questions? Contact Marc J. Gargiulo, NREMT, EMS-I.
*After 12 registrations, registration will close.
Time: 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. | Location: Auerbach 235
Have an event, an accolade, or some groundbreaking research you want to share with the wider world?
In this session, you'll learn about the internal and external communication tools UHart uses to get the word out. You'll also learn what makes a good news story, and how we turn a good story into a great one.
Questions? Contact Matt Besterman.
*After 25 registrations, registration will close.
Time: 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. | Location: MakerSpace, HC-216
This presentation will cover AI and its applications to the Electrical Power Transformers in the Power Industry and Medical Device eCAD for Coronary Artery Diagnostics of stenosis using noninvasive angiography (NIA) techniques.
Questions? Contact Hemchandra Shertukde.
*After 30 registrations, registration will close.
Time: 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. | Location: Shaw Center (TBD)
We are giving folks across campus the opportunity to learn more about the Hawk Advantage program, a new academic opportunity for qualifying students featuring the small class sizes, peer support workshops, and other programmatic and academic supports currently offered in Hillyer College courses.
The Hawk Advantage program is being established as a key element of the soon-to-be-merged Hillyer College of Arts & Sciences. If you are interested in learning more about the Hawk Advantage program and the Hillyer College of Arts & Sciences merger (which will be finalized by July 1, 2026), drop by!
Questions? Contact Dean Josie Brown.
*After 50 registrations, registration will close.
Time: 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. | Location: H 217
Join us for an interactive training session designed to equip faculty and staff with practical strategies for engaging with parents effectively and empathetically.
This session will cover:
- Understanding the role of parent communication channels, like the Parent Facebook Page
- Preparing for parent interactions with confidence and clarity
A three-phase framework for parent conversations - Real-world scripts and strategies to de-escalate tension and foster collaboration
- Practice scenarios to strengthen your communication skills
Whether you're new to parent interactions or looking to refine your approach, this training offers tools and insights to help you support students while navigating conversations with their families.
Questions? Contact Katie Kitchens.
*After 25 registrations, registration will close.
Would you like to offer training to the community or have an idea for a future developmental opportunity? Provide your feedback here.