Professional Development

The Annual Professional Development Series sessions are held to advance work on strategic priorities presented at the 2024 symposium. Outlook invitations will be sent for these sessions.

Interdivisional Series

• Mediation and De-escalation

  September 9, 2024, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  Conflict is an inevitable part of human interaction. It can easily escalate into aggressive or violent behavior in times of heightened emotions. It is crucial to prioritize peaceful resolutions to conflicts, fostering understanding and maintaining harmonious relationships. In this session, we will explore effective strategies to de-escalate conflict without violence, emphasizing the important role that neutral mediation plays in the process.

  Learning Outcomes:

  By the end of this session, attendees will:

  • Gain tools to better recognize and address high-pressure situations
  • Improve their active listening and communication skills
  • Learn to better recognize their own emotional state
  • Learn the significance of communicating empathy and validation towards others

  Presenter: Sgt. Michael Gardner, Campus Police
  
  To learn more: Thompson, G. (1993). Verbal Judo: The gental Art of Persuasion, De Becker, G. (1997). The Gift of Fear, Ripley, A. (2022). High Conflict

• ISU Emergency Operations

  November 20 & 21, 2024
  9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Nelson Smith Building 201C
  Attendees can attend either session. Please register  in advance due to limited seating.

  Session Description:

  This session will provide an overview of the University’s Emergency Operations Center, the Incident Management Team that operates within the space and why these exist, in addition to context about how coordination and communication takes places during campus emergencies and large planned events. We will also briefly introduce the comprehensive continuity planning that will soon commence for all University departments.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Orient participants to emergency coordination at the University
  • Discuss high-level roles and responsiblities during a major incident
  • Introduce the participants to the University's Continuity of Operations program

  Presenter: Eric Hodges, Director of Emergency Management 

• Supporting Students: An Introduction to TimelyCare

  February 13, 2025 2:00-3:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  Discover TimelyCare, ISU's new 24/7 virtual mental health platform, in this informative session offered by our colleagues in Student Affairs. Learn about the comprehensive services offered, including scheduled counseling, health coaching, and on-demand support for non-crisis issues, and the expanded access to meet students where they are. Explore how TimelyCare can be connected in Canvas or in syllabus statements to proactively support the student academic experience with a focus on culturally competent care. Visit with Student Affairs leaders about other developments in student support and how best to partner for shared success. 

  Session Objectives:

  • Describe the core services and features of the TimelyCare platform
  • Anaylze how TimelyCare addresses various student mental health needs
  • Identify current developments in student support in the Division of Student Affairs

  Presenters: Dawn Pote, Executive Director for Well-Being and Recreation, and Donald Reed, Associate Dean of Students

   

• Understanding and Supporting Our Students: What Data, Literature, and Students Tell Us About College Students

  April 9, 2025, 9:00-10:00 a.m., STV 401
  

  Session Description:

  This interactive session explores the unique characteristics, challenges, and opportunities ISU students face today. Participants will engage with data, literature, and student narratives to better understand who ISU students are and the factors influencing their success. Using the "Can I do it? Should I do it? Do I belong?" framework, the workshop will guide participants in identifying strategies to foster meaningful connections, engage students in learning, and create a sense of belonging. This session also includes perspectives from undergraduate student researchers to provide authentic insights into the student experience, promoting collaborative dialogue and actionable takeaways for academic administrators.

  Session Objectives:

  • Articulate the relationship between belonging and student success at ISU.
  • Identify strategies to foster meaningful interactions with and between students.  
  • Explore how the “ Can I Do It? Should I Do It? Do I Belong?” student success and retention framework can improve your work with students.

  Presenters: Dr. Erin Thomas, Assessment and Data Analytics Manager, Dr. Ryan Smith, Director of University Assessment Services, and Bella Madonia, Marketing Analytics Student 
  
  To learn more: University Assessment Services  

ASPT Series

• Faculty Status Committee (FSC) Member Professional Development
  

  September 23, 2024, 1-2:30 p.m., Stevenson 401
  or
  September 24, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m., Zoom
  Attendees can attend either session. Advanced registration is required. 

  Session Description:

  In this essential workshop for Faculty Status Committee (FSC) members, participants will delve into the critical process of evaluating faculty materials with a focus on equity and fairness. The session will explore recent revisions to ISU's Appointment, Salary, Promotion, and Tenure (ASPT) policies, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the updated criteria for faculty evaluation. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, participants will learn effective strategies for mitigating personal biases and ensuring consistent, equitable reviews across various types of faculty submissions. The workshop will cover the nuances of different review processes, including annual, pre-tenure, tenure, promotion, and post-tenure evaluations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining objectivity throughout. Attendees will gain valuable insights into applying ASPT criteria effectively and will practice using tools designed to promote fair assessments. By the end of the session, FSC members will be well-equipped to conduct thorough, unbiased reviews that align with ISU's commitment to equity in faculty evaluation. This workshop is essential for both new and experienced FSC members seeking to enhance their skills in this crucial aspect of academic governance.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Analyze the revisions to ISU's ASPT policies and identify how these changes impact the criteria for faculty evaluations across different review processes.
  • Apply strategies to mitigate personal biases when reviewing faculty materials, demonstrating the ability to conduct fair and equitable assessments across various types of faculty submissions.
  • Synthesize the knowledge gained from the workshop to develop a comprehensive approach for conducting equitable reviews, integrating policy updates, bias mitigation strategies, and best practices for different types of faculty evaluations.

  Presenters: Craig Gatto, Associate Vice President for Academic Administration; Susan Hildebrandt, Special Assistant to the Provost; Katy Strzepek, Director, Center for Civic Engagement; Mayuko Nakamura, Assistant Director for Assessment and Equitable Pedagogy, Center for Integrated Professional Development

  To learn more:

  Equity-Minded Faculty Workloads: What We Can and Should Do Now
  
  Equity-Minded Faculty Workloads: Worksheet Booklet

  Excellence in Community Engagement & Community-Engaged Scholarship: Honoring the Mosaic of Talents and the Stewarding of the Standards of High Quality Community-Engaged Scholarship

  The Guide: Documenting, Evaluating and Recognizing Engaged Scholarshi

• Leading a D/SFSC

  September 26, 2024, 9-10:30 a.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  Leading a Faculty Status Committee requires a level head, a keen eye, and an open mind. It also requires an attention to equity and detail, as well as the ability to guide sometimes challenging discussions of faculty performance and behavior. This session will help D/SFSC chairs understand the tools that they can use to lead with confidence, including when they may disagree with the other members of the committee.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Select appropriate approaches to discuss challenging situations
  • Develop familiarity with ISU ASPT policies concerning the role of the D/SFSC chair
  • Recommend apt next steps for challenging performance-related situations

  Presenters:  Craig Gatto, Associate Vice President for Academic Administration, and Susan Hildebrandt, Special Assistant to the Provost

  To learn more:  NCFDD Core Curriculum Skill #9: How to Engage in Healthy Conflict
  Sign up  for a free membership to the NCFDD

New(ish) Administrators Series

• Student Retention-Striving for Equitable Outcomes

  September 25, 2024, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  This session will explore the critical issue of student retention, with a particular focus on equitable retention and graduation. Retaining students is vital for their academic success, degree completion, and future opportunities. We will examine the key factors that influence retention, such as academic preparedness, campus climate, financial stability, and mental health support. Participants will leave empowered to implement changes that foster an inclusive environment and elevate retention rates on our campus.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Explain the importance of student retention and its impact on institutional success (Understand)
  • Evaluate the impact of campus climate, academic support, and financial aid on student retention (Evaluate)
  • Create an action plan to improve retention of underrepresented students on our campus (Create)

  Presenter: Dr. Amy Hurd, Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Education

  To learn more visit this sessions resources. 

• Expanding Access: A Holistic Approach to Educational Equity

  November 11, 2024, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  This session explores the multifaceted nature of educational access and its profound impact on student success in higher education. Participants will explore access through various lenses, including (affordability, scholarships, hidden costs), physical (campus facilities, transportation, housing), academic (course availability, prerequisites, developmental education), technological (digital resources, internet connectivity, device requirements), and cultural (inclusive curricula, representation, belonging) . The session will introduce the THRIVE index as a framework for assessing and enhancing academic pipelines across different educational settings. The THRIVE model (Type, History, Research, Inclusion/Identity, Voice, Expectations ; Byrd & Mason, 2021 ) serves as a valuable tool for evaluating program effectiveness and promoting institutional change. By applying this framework, participants will gain insights into how various programs can better meet diverse student needs and create a more equitable learning environment.   

  Session Objectives:

  • Identify structural barriers within their academic programs that may limit student access.  
  • Discuss actionable strategies to enhance accessibility in course design and scheduling.  
  • Examine strategies for supporting first-generation, non-traditional, and historically underserved students based on their experiences or insights.  

  Presenter: Dr. Byron Craig, Interim Chief Equity Inclusion Officer

  To learn more:

  Academic Pipeline Programs: Diversifying Pathways from the Bachelor’s to the Professoriate by Curtis D. Byrd and Rihana S. Mason  

• Student Care and Discipline

  February 19, 2025, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  This professional development session for new university administrators focuses on addressing the increasing student behavioral and mental health concerns faced by faculty and academic staff. The session will highlight the support available through the Division of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students Office to assist instructors in managing these challenges.  

  Session Objectives:

  • Identify the various programs offered by the Division of Student Affairs to support students with behavioral and mental health concerns.
  • Explain the process of faculty referrals and the steps taken by the Dean of Students Office to handle cases effectively and equitably.
  • Demonstrate strategies for de-escalating disruptive behavior in teaching situations.  

  Presenters: Dr. Donald Reed, Associate Dean of Students, and Janice Blair, Assistant Dean
  
  To learn more: Let’s Talk Teaching: Student Care and Discipline , featuring Dr. Reed and Ms. Blair  

• Harnessing AI for Academic Leadership

  April 21,2025 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  Participants will explore cutting-edge AI tools  like Large Language Models (LLMs) (i.e., ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, etc.) , new agentic features such as Gemini's Deep Research feature, and easy to use tools like Google's No tebookLM to enhance administrative efficiency and decision-making. The workshop aims to equip academic leaders with practical skills to streamline workflows, automate routine tasks, and make data-driven decisions, ultimately improving productivity and effectiveness in their roles.   

  Session Objectives:

  • Identify at least three AI tools, such as Large Language Models (LLMs) like Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini, NotebookLM , etc. that can enhance administrative efficiency in academic settings .
  • Describe how AI technologies can be applied to streamline specific tasks such as document analysis, research synthesis, and report generation in academic leadership roles.   
  • Consider potential benefits and ethical considerations of implementing AI tools in academic administration.  

  Presenter: Roy Magnuson, Director of Emerging Technologies, Instruction and Research, Technology Solutions.

  To learn more: How Will AI Influence Higher Ed in 2025? , Inside Higher Ed  

Chairs and Directors Series

• "Free Speech in Class and Beyond" with Mr. Jeremy Knee (Deputy General Counsel at Utah Valley University)
  

  October 17, 2024, 1:00-2:30 p.m., Zoom
  Audience: Chairs and directors of academic units, assistant/associate deans, deans, AVPs
  Register by Wednesday, October 16, but submit any questions by October 3 within the registration survey. A Zoom link will be shared with registrants before the session. 
  

  Presenter:

  Jeremy Knee is Deputy General Counsel at Utah Valley University. Before arriving at UVU in 2017, Jeremy served as General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Higher Education. His work spans a variety of higher education legal issues, including free speech, civil rights, public safety, employment, disability, student affairs, and legislative matters. Jeremy has presented on free speech matters to the National Association of College and University Attorneys, and, in 2024, Utah’s Commissioner of Higher Education appointed Jeremy to the state system’s Free Expression Advisory Committee to help guide free speech policy in Utah public higher education. Jeremy teaches a graduate course in higher education law and policy. After finishing undergrad in sunny South Florida at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Jeremy earned his A.M and J.D. from Brown University and Boston University, respectively.

  Description:

  This conversation will explore the occasional tensions between First Amendment rights held by students, faculty members, and educational institutions, particularly in the classroom and broader learning environment:

  • What are students’ expressive rights in assignments and class discussions, and how have universities tripped up in the past?
  • The Department of Education’s recent attention on hostile class discussions, how far are faculty entitled to go when expressing controversial views in class?
  • Do students have valid legal claims against the university or faculty members when confronted with instructional “mistakes” or disagreements over grades?
  • Where are the limits for student protest activity in and outside the classroom?

Dan Elkins, Associate Vice President for Academic Fiscal Management, will be hosting a Budgeting Professional Development Series throughout the year. The purpose of these sessions is to enhance the budgeting knowledge and skills of Chairs, Directors, Deans and Associate Deans to make informed data-based planning decisions, as well as to provide an important opportunity to communicate/discuss any challenging fiscal issues that administrators may be facing at the time. Outlook invitations will be sent for these sessions (4 sessions for School Directors, Deans, and Associate Deans and 2 sessions for Unit Directors with a direct report to an AVP). Please see the list of dates below for 2024-2025:

• September 18, 2024

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Audience: Chairs, Directors, Deans and Associate Deans

• October 22, 2024

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Audience: Chairs, Directors, Deans and Associate Deans

• November 15, 2024

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Audience: Unit Directors with a direct report to an AVP

• January 29, 2025

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Audience: Unit Directors with a direct report to an AVP

• February 21, 2025

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Audience: Chairs, Directors, Deans and Associate Deans

• April 8, 2025

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Audience: Chairs, Directors, Deans and Associate Deans

These bring-your-own-lunch events aim to explore the achievements and challenges faced by women in leadership roles across various sectors, while highlighting those faced by female-presenting administrators in higher education. Despite progress in recent decades, women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions. This series aims to address this ongoing disparity by providing role models for aspiring women leaders and creating a platform to discuss the unique challenges women face in leadership roles. Through these sessions, participants will explore strategies for overcoming gender-based barriers, engaging in valuable networking opportunities, and advocating for women in leadership roles. The goal of this series is to empower and equip women and allies with the tools and support needed to excel in leadership positions by bringing these crucial issues to the forefront. The brown bag sessions will cover a wide range of topics relevant to being and supporting women in leadership.

Discussions may explore leadership styles, work-life integration, overcoming implicit bias, and strategies for developing leadership skills. The series will also delve into the importance of mentorship and sponsorship for women leaders, as well as examine leadership through the lens of intersectionality. All members of the University community are welcome to attend and contribute to these important conversations. You do not need to be a woman or someone with a position of authority to attend these sessions.

Please contact Sue Hildebrandt ( shildeb@IllinoisState.edu ) with any questions

• Thursday, September 19, 2024

  12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
  in STV 401A
  
  Topic #1: The Current State of Affairs for Women Leaders
  Discussion: Contents of the Women in the Workplace 2023 report

• Thursday, November 7, 2024

  12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
  in STV 401
  
  Topic #2: The Power of Vulnerability 
  Discussion: Contents of the video: The power of vulnerability | Brené Brown
  
  

• Wednesday, February 5, 2025

  12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
  in STV 401
  
  Topic #3: Key Steps Women Can Take to Be Strong Leaders 
  Discussion: Contents of Key Steps Women Can Take to Be Strong Leaders and Challenges Facing Female Leaders in Higher Education- and How to Address them with a panel of accomplished women from across the university. The panel features Lea Cline, Professor in the Wonsook Kim School of Art, Kristie Toohill, Facilities Services Executive Director, Danielle Miller-Schuster, 
  Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, and Jill Wilberg, 
  Chief Operations Officer of Advancement and Foundation Operations. 

• Wednesday, April 16, 2025

  12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
  in STV 401A
  
  Topic #4: What Now?
  Discussion: Contents of the Women leaders make work better Here’s the science behind how to promote them (from American Psychological Association, 2024).

ISU has long been a partner with APLU’s Powered by Publics (PxP), an initiative to address retention and graduation. As part of the PxP work, Illinois State has the opportunity to participate in the Data Literacy Institute (DLI) lead by the Association for Institutional Research.

A cohort of 20 individuals from across the institution, including faculty, advisors, administrators, student affairs, and other staff directly involved with student learning, development, or support will engage in a 2-semester learning experience where participants learn to collect, analyze, interpret, communicate, and make actionable data related to a group determined student success problem.

Teams of 4-5 will identify a student success issue and engage in facilitated workshops and hands-on work to understand the problem using data analysis and use data informed decision making. Sample problems from other PxP universities include: reducing student loan debt; impact of early alerts on high DFWI courses; success and retention of male students of color; and planned vs actual course load.

The Institute is comprised of 2 semesters, each 3 months in length. Every month offers a different section of DLI content and includes approximately 20 hours of work: 4 hours of webinars, 8 hours of virtual seminars, and 8 hours of independent/group work. Participants will begin by learning the basics of data and end with a full set of data literacy skills.

• Fall semester

  The first term runs from September through mid-December and includes three sections, each approximately one month long. The collaborative research project is kicked off at the start of the Institute and weaves throughout the curricula. The fall semester will involve topics such as: developing the question/problem, connecting questions to data, and analyzing the data.

• Spring semester

  The second term runs from February through mid-May and includes three sections, each approximately one month long. The term culminates with completion and presentation of the collaborative research project. This semester will involve topics such as: conveying the information to your audience, taking action, and closing the loop.

A full description of the curriculum can be found in the Data literacy Institute Program Guide.

The Committee for Responsible AI at ISU is excited to present an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Brown Bag lunch series. As generative AI is becoming integrated in our everyday technologies, we aim to share the opportunities and challenges that we explore through research and teaching. These informal sessions provide space to discuss ethical considerations, share experiences with AI implementation in different research and teaching contexts, and develop strategies for understanding, evaluating, and implementing AI tools. Please feel free to bring your own lunch to the events.

• The first meeting will include short research presentations by Dr. Nariman Ammar, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, specializing in health informatics,  knowledge representation, and AI, and Dr. Mikyung Shin, Assistant Professor of Special Education, specializing in mathematics, special education, technology, meta-analysis, and artificial intelligence. These presentations will be followed by discussion on AI in research and teaching.

  When: Friday, Nov. 15th, 12-1pm

  Where: Williams Room 307

• The second meeting of the AI Brown Bag Series will include a short research presentations by Dr. Nathan Kapoor,Assistant Professor of History with a focus in the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine, titled "The Shock of the Artificial: Rethinking AI Using History". This presentation will be followed by discussion on AI in research and teaching.

  When: Friday, January 31, 12-1 p.m.

  Where: Stevenson Room 401

• The third meeting of the AI Brown Bag Series will include a short research presentation by Dr. Dan Lannin, Associate Professor of Psychology with a focus on mental health and well-being, titled "Mental Health Meets Machine Learning: Students and AI Therapy Chatbots". This presentation will be followed by discussion on AI in research and teaching.
  
  When: Friday, March 7, 1-2 p.m.
  Where: Williams Hall Room 307
  
  
  

• The fourth meeting of the AI Brown Bag Series will include a
  panel discussion between Milner librarians: Grace Allbaugh, Maria Tudela, and Associate Director for Academic Enhancement Keenan Wimbley. This presentation will be followed by discussion on AI in research and teaching.

  When: Friday, April 18, 1-2 p.m.

  Where: Williams Hall Room 307