All Events

Reclaiming Attention and Finding More Joy: Evidence-Based Digital Detox Strategies for Faculty - (November 4, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm)

Available Seats: 20 of 36

Date: November 4, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm

Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing

Room: TLPDC 153

Facilitator: Lisa Low (Professor of Practice, Public Relations and Director of the Division of AI Pedagogy and Policy)

This session explores evidence-based strategies for reclaiming focus, creativity, and well-being in an increasingly distracted world. Drawing on research in cognitive science, neuroscience, and productivity, participants will examine how attention fragmentation, constant digital stimulation, and excessive choice can undermine deep thinking and meaningful work.
Participants will explore the neuroscience of attention and reward, including research suggesting dopamine plays a key role in motivation and seeking behavior rather than satisfaction itself. The session also examines why multitasking is largely a myth, how frequent task switching degrades performance, and why monotasking and intentional constraints can enhance both productivity and creativity.

Finding Your Authentic Voice: Developing vocal presence, confidence, and courage - (November 5, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm)

Available Seats: 19 of 36

Date: November 5, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm

Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing

Room: TLPDC 153

Facilitator: Rachel Hirshorn, Associate Professor in Theatre and Dance

Academia asks us to consistently think rigorously and prove our impact, but between the metrics and deadlines, it's easy to forget that teaching and leading are deeply human acts. In this 90-minute interactive workshop, faculty will explore how audiences assimilate information, build awareness of the subtle energy in a room, and practice physical and vocal choices that bring presence to lectures, meetings, presentations, and conversations. Leave with practical tools to speak with authenticity, confidence, and courage, and to rediscover feelings of connection with those listening.

The Swings That Have Missed - (November 5, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm)

Available Seats: 69 of 72

Date: November 5, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm

Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing

Room: TLPDC 151

Facilitator: Mitzi Ziegner (Associate Director, TLPDC)

This discussion invites participants to rethink the role of failed attempts in academic life—not as a flaw or a dead end, but as an essential and often unseen part of growth, learning, and persistence. The Swings That Have Missed will center on the moments that don’t make it onto résumés or CVs: the rejected proposals, unsuccessful teaching techniques, misses in mentorship, and other paths that didn’t unfold as planned this semester.
It may feel vulnerable to participate in a conversation about endeavors we wish would have turned out differently and share stories about the successes that were not to be, but it is important for our wellbeing to be able to do so. It is our hope that participants can find a supportive space and think about how setbacks shape our academic journeys at every stage and feel comfort that we are not alone as we “swing and miss”. Join Mitzi Ziegner, Associate Director at the TLPDC, for a facilitated discussion that will help us acknowledge that both wins and losses are a normal part of our academic journeys. By the end of the conversation, we hope to foster resilience, authenticity, and connection. This session is designed for anyone navigating academic spaces who seeks a more honest, compassionate, and realistic in their approach to achievement.

Assigned & Optional Readings in Canvas: A Working Session with TTU Libraries

Available Seats: 26 of 30

Date: November 6, 2026 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing

Room: TLPDC 151

Course Reserves are becoming Assigned & Optional Readings in Canvas! Learn how you can embed the readings and resources you already use into Canvas, get help finding accessible versions, and link resources within your modules. Bring your syllabus and live [or development] Canvas shells and build your courses with librarians and library staff on hand to help you and answer questions as they arise.

Assigned & Optional Readings can include resources owned by the TTU Libraries like eBooks, journal articles, book chapters, and streaming media, as well as physical books, scores, and recordings, in addition to anything you can think of which can include blogs, online videos, Open Educational Resources, music playlists, reference websites, and more! You also have the flexibility to place personal copies on reserve, request that resources be purchased, and get help with accessibility, copyright permissions, and clean scans.

The best part? TTU Libraries Course Reserve staff become your partner to make sure that links work, PDFs are readable, and access points haven’t changed. Reusing or revising a reading list can be done easily with just a couple of clicks, whether it is your first time teaching a course or your twentieth.

Mind Your Mind – Nurturing Mental Wellness - (November 6, 2026 11:00 am - 11:50 am)

Available Seats: 16 of 36

Date: November 6, 2026 11:00 am - 11:50 am

Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing

Room: TLPDC 151

Facilitator: Megan Thoen (Associate Professor of Practice and Directory of the Psychology Clinic)

An introduction to evidence-based strategies for maintaining mental well-being in academia. Learn practical tools for managing stress, promoting resilience, and fostering a healthy work-life balance as you begin your faculty journey.

This workshop session is designed to be delivered in a face-to-face format; however, we understand that you might need to attend remotely for a variety of reasons. Please use this link to join the conversation remotely:
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/22322808089452?p=l2vEEIu7nr15okLlIR
Meeting ID: 223 228 080 894 52
Passcode: QK3jG2LS

AI:20 | Lucid: A Visually Engaging Tool in Canvas - (November 6, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:20 pm)

Available Seats: 63 of 100

Date: November 6, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:20 pm

Location:
Virtual Session

Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/272693959943284?p=5yeZtT17indpkJCYT2

Facilitator: Kylie Harlan (TLPDC AI Faculty Fellow; Lecturer, Agricultural Communications)

Lucidchart and Lucidspark are collaborative visual tools built directly into Canvas. Use them to run brainstorms, discussions, group projects, and whiteboarding sessions in a way that's visually engaging for students.
AI:20 is a fast, practical series from the Division of AI Pedagogy & Policy. Each 20-minute session pairs generative AI with tools already available at Texas Tech to simplify course development, reduce frustration, and give faculty time back. Twenty minutes. One smarter workflow. Hours back.

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/272693959943284?p=5yeZtT17indpkJCYT2
Meeting ID: 272 693 959 943 284
Passcode: qD6Vf9sE

Mentorship Series: Maintaining Effective Communication - (November 9, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm)

Available Seats: 286 of 300

Date: November 9, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm

Location:
Virtual Session

Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/216857263990260?p=ll1xDS8nscgpXPVRmr

Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers

Reclaiming Attention and Finding More Joy: Evidence-Based Digital Detox Strategies for Faculty - (November 10, 2026 11:00 am - 11:50 am)

Available Seats: 81 of 100

Date: November 10, 2026 11:00 am - 11:50 am

Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing

Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/293978116946681?p=0TTH6aSgqDeC9aoEe5

Facilitator: Lisa Low (Professor of Practice, Public Relations and Director of the Division of AI Pedagogy and Policy)

This session explores evidence-based strategies for reclaiming focus, creativity, and well-being in an increasingly distracted world. Drawing on research in cognitive science, neuroscience, and productivity, participants will examine how attention fragmentation, constant digital stimulation, and excessive choice can undermine deep thinking and meaningful work.
Participants will explore the neuroscience of attention and reward, including research suggesting dopamine plays a key role in motivation and seeking behavior rather than satisfaction itself. The session also examines why multitasking is largely a myth, how frequent task switching degrades performance, and why monotasking and intentional constraints can enhance both productivity and creativity.

Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/293978116946681?p=0TTH6aSgqDeC9aoEe5
Meeting ID: 293 978 116 946 681
Passcode: pP6h4x5k

Raider Success Hub Fundamentals for Faculty

Available Seats: 24 of 36

Date: November 11, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm

Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing

Room: TLPDC 153

Facilitator: Jeremy Norman (Program Director, Raider Success Hub)

Raider Success Hub (RSH) is Texas Tech’s centralized platform for supporting student success. In this training, faculty will learn basic navigation of the system, how to view student information, submit alerts, complete progress surveys, and more. Faculty play a critical role in student success, and this session will demonstrate how RSH makes it easier to offer timely support and connect students to the right resources at the right time.

This workshop session is designed to be delivered in a face-to-face format; however, we understand that you might need to attend remotely for a variety of reasons. Please use this link to join the conversation remotely:
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/22295546486024?p=hESpflZapwfVjlpzSS
Meeting ID: 222 955 464 860 24
Passcode: ZD2xQ7iF

Collaborative Feedback in Academic Relationships: Giving and Receiving Feedback from a Place of Connection - (November 12, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm)

Available Seats: 50 of 76

Date: November 12, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm

Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing

Room: TLPDC 151

Facilitator: Dr. Lisa Garner Santa What if giving feedback could be energizing, even enjoyable? In this session, we’ll explore how feedback, when grounded in connection and mutual respect, can become a two-way exchange that strengthens both mentoring relationships and institutional culture. Through the lens of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), we’ll examine how to move from “power over” or “power under” toward “power with,” where everyone’s needs matter. Participants will practice using observations, feelings, needs, and requests to engage in feedback conversations that are clear, kind, and co-created. When mentoring becomes a collaborative process, feedback becomes not only possible but meaningful and rewarding.

Why We Need to Keep Learning Human in the Age of AI - (November 13, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm)

Available Seats: 78 of 100

Date: November 13, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location:
Virtual Session

Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/225529455697416?p=ErknzTa6VHanxoMZOY

Facilitators: Suzanne Tapp (Associate Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning) and Lisa Low (Director of the Division of AI Pedagogy & Policy; Professor of Practice, Public Relations)

Generative AI is changing how students approach coursework and challenging traditional approaches to teaching and assessment. This 90 minute workshop will explore practical strategies for designing AI resistant assignments, developing rubrics that encourage authentic student work, and rethinking how faculty measure achievement of learning outcomes when traditional assignments and assessments can be completed using AI. Participants will also consider how clear expectations, ongoing conversations and a culture of trust can encourage responsible AI use while supporting meaningful student learning.

Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/225529455697416?p=ErknzTa6VHanxoMZOY
Meeting ID: 225 529 455 697 416
Passcode: HN7JF3VC

O&E Lunch and Learn: Texas Tech University Center at Junction - (November 18, 2026 11:00 am - 12:30 pm)

Available Seats: 28 of 40

Date: November 18, 2026 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing

Room: TLPDC 151

The Lunch & Learns are intended to serve as informational sessions for faculty, providing an opportunity to learn more about programs within the Outreach and Engagement divisions, explore potential collaborations, and discuss available seed grant opportunities.

The Faculty Reset - Vision, Purpose, Action - (November 19, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm)

Available Seats: 10 of 36

Date: November 19, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm

Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing

Room: TLPDC 153

Facilitator: Dr. Angela Walla

In this session, you’ll reflect on your academic journey and re-envision your future with renewed clarity and purpose. Guided by the moderator, participants will engage in a series of reflective activities designed to help assess their career path, explore current goals, and consider new possibilities. This session aims to reignite enthusiasm and offer fresh perspective as you plan the next chapter of your academic career. You’ll leave with concrete action steps and the foundation of a personalized plan to guide your way forward. 
 The session will be broken down into four sections.  Each session has a mini-lecture followed by an activity:

• Reflection on past career 
• Exploring the possibility: Identification of passion projects and new areas 
• Identification of Barriers 
• Action Plan