2024-2025 Training Archive

"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?

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

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.