VPAA Professional Development Opportunities

Classroom Civility and Shared Accountability: Workshop for Faculty  - Presented by Dr. Linh Littleford and  Dr. Stephanie Simon-Dack 
Fall 2026 | 90-minute presentation [90 minutes total] | This interactive, 90-minute workshop will include a review of the faculty-developed toolkit designed to foster inclusiveness, civility, and shared accountability in learning environments through relationship-rich practices.

To register for one of 8 sessions during 2026-2027, go to Workday Learning (Click on "Select Offering"). 

  • Friday, September 25, 2026 from 2:00-3:30p.m. (SC 301-302) 
  • Monday October 5, 2026 from 10:30a.m.-12:00p.n. (SC 301-302)
  • Monday, October 19, 2026 from 11:00a.m.-12:30p.m. (Zoom) 
  • Thursday, November 5, 2026 from 9:00-10:30a.m. (SC 301-302) 
  • Monday, January 25, 2027 from 9:00-10:30a.m. (SC 301-302) 
  • Tuesday, February 16, 2026 from 2:30-4:00p.m. (Zoom) 
  • Thursday, March 11, 2026 from 1:30-3:00p.m. (SC 301-302)
  • Wednesday, April 21, 2026 from 1:00-2:30p.m. (SC 301-302) 

Attendees will have the opportunity to practice these strategies by:  

  • Workshopping scenarios in the classroom where students express concern or distress to course content.
  • Identifying best practices and strategies to address and to de-escalate potentially contentious situations.

Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom in the Learning Environment - Presented by Ms. Kevonna Tyler and Dr. Stephanie Simon-Dack 
Fall 2026 | 90-minute presentation in-person [90 minutes total] | This in-person, 90-minute presentation explores how freedom of expression and academic freedom are foundational in shaping the way ideas are shared, challenged, and developed in higher education classrooms. Participants will learn about the principles and limits of free expression in the learning environment, how to foster inclusive dialogue, and balance the rights and responsibilities that come with freedom of expression in academic settings. 

To register for on of 2 sessions during Fall 2026, go to Workday Learning (Click on "Select Offering")

  • Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 2:00-3:30p.m.
  •  Tuesday, October 6, 2026 from 12:00-1:30p.m. 

Participants will leave equipped to:

  • Define the concepts of freedom of expression and academic freedom, including how they intersect and differ in higher education.
  • Recognize the rights and responsibilities of faculty and students related to expression in the classroom.
  • Reflect on modeling academic freedom and embracing student expression.