Welcome to the Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development Center! Our primary mission is to support the university’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. Whether you’re an advisor looking for professional development workshops, a faculty member interested in talking about your teaching or considering how to implement service learning in your course, or a graduate student looking for resources and ways to improve your teaching, we can help!
Please note that there are a variety of session formats on this listing. In-person sessions have the room number listed and often include a Zoom link for those that need a virtual option (with a few exceptions). Virtual sessions will have the Zoom link provided in the location and description.
Please click on the session title to for the description and option to register.
- Feb20Fri
Advancing Teaching & Learning Conference Afternoon Workshop: A Pedagogy of Kindness – (February 20, 2026 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://texastech.zoom.us/j/95908109209
Available Seats: 239
This is a reflective workshop that will build on the morning keynote. Participants will discuss real examples in small groups and have the opportunity to refine language in their syllabus and on an assignment. The focus will be on communicating welcome and belonging to students, and participants should walk away with concrete examples of how to move forward in kindness. Please bring a syllabus and an assignment from one of your courses and be prepared to work on them as part of the session! Join via Zoom: https://texastech.zoom.us/j/95908109209
- Feb24Tue
STEP Partnerships Power Hour – (February 24, 2026 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 28
The STEP Faculty & Student Partnerships Program Power Hour, held in the Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center (TLPDC), is an open-format, bi-weekly conversation designed by faculty, for faculty. Twice per month, a STEP Program Scholar will share a specific, actionable tip to enhance the classroom experience for both instructors and students. You'll hear directly how the implementation of these tips has transformed classroom dynamics. Half of our time will be dedicated to collaborative discussion on adapting these suggestions to fit your unique classroom environment. You will leave with a clear implementation strategy, ready for use in your very next class period. All Instructors of all ranks are invited and lunch is provided.
- Feb26Thu
Mentorship Series: Aligning Expectations – (February 26, 2026 2:00 PM – 3:20 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 30
One critical element of an effective mentoring relationship is a shared understanding of what each person expects from that relationship. Problems between mentors and mentees often arise from misunderstandings about expectations. Expectations change over time, so frequent reflection & clear communication are necessary to maintain a collaborative relationship. 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 Meeting ID: 218 447 529 628 33 Passcode: ZK9ia9x4
- Mar2Mon
Canvas and Open Educational Resources – (March 2, 2026 02:00 PM – 02:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 33
Instructors would learn various ways to incorporate OER (and library resources) into their Canvas courses. PressBooks allows you to import an Open Educational Resource and place it directly in your course. Chapters can be moved and embedded into Modules, so that the text is at the fingertips of students. 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 Meeting ID: 227 022 072 537 19 Passcode: FW9rv2yx
- Mar3Tue
ONLINE: Neurodiversity on Campus – Supporting Autistic College Students – (March 3, 2026 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89717228460
Available Seats: 271
NEURODIVERSITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION: ONLINE MINI-SERIES with the Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (A.A.N.E.) Facilitator: Jay Eveson-Egler is an autistic self-advocate and current Senior Manager of Individual & Family Services with AANE. They’ve worked with neurodiversity-based organizations in a variety of roles, including as a 1:1 community companion, teacher, recruiter, and administrative assistant. Jay’s primary interests lie in assisting autistic individuals with transition into post-secondary educational settings, supporting autistic peer-to-peer connections, and understanding LGBTQ+ issues, and their intersections with autism. They have prior experience founding and facilitating neurodiverse peer support groups at both Holyoke Community College and Mount Holyoke College and remain active as an adviser with the Neurodiverse Students Association at Mount Holyoke, where they graduated with their bachelor’s degree in psychology and education in 2020. Creating responsive and inclusion campus cultures is a priority for colleges across the country. This workshop will highlight how colleges can create classrooms and campus communities that are responsive to the needs of autistic and otherwise neurodivergent students. Through a universal design lens, this workshop will help college professionals build and develop a neurodiversity lens and learn concrete, practical strategies to make their classrooms and campus communities inclusive for neurodivergent students. Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89717228460
- Mar5Thu
Becoming a Professional Chameleon: Navigating Global Work Contexts with Ease – (March 5, 2026 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NGQwYjdiN2MtNzE2NS00Y2I1LWE4OTItODMwY2Q2MWI5NGU0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22178a51bf-8b20-49ff-b655-56245d5c173c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22ba9b8010-8915-4519-9909-b02ad2d5002c%22%7d
Available Seats: 282
In the interconnected world we live in, professionals both inside and outside of academia are increasingly expected to adapt quickly to new cultural environments and different communication styles. This workshop equips participants with practical strategies to cultivate “professional chameleon” skills: being flexible, culturally responsive, able to globally communicate and collaboration, building trust, and improving effectiveness across global work settings. The presenter will guide the participants through her own experiences as a "professional chameleon" as well as research on the matter. Here's a sneak-peak of what you can expect to encounter and take away from this workshop:
- interactive activities and real-world examples
- reading contextual cues and practice to shift communication styles appropriately
- leveraging intercultural competence as a career-advancing asset in today’s globalized workplace
- Mar10Tue
Creative Commons 101 – (March 10, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 34
This introduction to Creative Commons Licensing demystifies the use of copyright and other licenses. We will discuss the 6 different Creative Commons licenses & how they relate to copyright, as well as how to find and use them. They will also learn how to license their own materials. 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 Meeting ID: 267 873 332 380 18 Passcode: rD62tt76
- Mar10Tue
When Students Stop Showing Up: Considering Revisions to OP 34.04 – (March 10, 2026 12:30 PM – 01:00 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDhmZjE3YjctNDFkMy00ZmI3LWI3NmYtYjE2OWU0YjU3NDQ5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22178a51bf-8b20-49ff-b655-56245d5c173c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22ba9b8010-8915-4519-9909-b02ad2d5002c%22%7d
Available Seats: 280
Faculty across disciplines report declining student attendance and growing frustration with how absences affect learning, classroom engagement, and instructional planning. This workshop provides space to acknowledge these challenges while examining the importance of attendance for student success. We will consider a proposed extension of OP 34.04, focusing on the definition of excused absences, including the rationale behind the change and its implications for course design and attendance expectations. Teams link Meeting ID: 265 396 538 106 09 Passcode: Pu24AZ7t
- Mar11Wed
STEP Partnerships Power Hour – (March 11, 2026 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 30
The STEP Faculty & Student Partnerships Program Power Hour, held in the Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center (TLPDC), is an open-format, bi-weekly conversation designed by faculty, for faculty. Twice per month, a STEP Program Scholar will share a specific, actionable tip to enhance the classroom experience for both instructors and students. You'll hear directly how the implementation of these tips has transformed classroom dynamics. Half of our time will be dedicated to collaborative discussion on adapting these suggestions to fit your unique classroom environment. You will leave with a clear implementation strategy, ready for use in your very next class period. All Instructors of all ranks are invited and lunch is provided.
- Mar11Wed
Strengths Part II: Activating Your Strengths in Your Academic Life – (March 11, 2026 2:00 PM- 3:20 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 23
Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers In this workshop, faculty will develop a deeper understanding of CliftonStrengths, engagement, leadership, and collaboration. It will build on the concepts presented in Strengths Part 1. Participants will engage in discussions and activities about cultivating a strengths-based culture, identifying strengths in others, facilitating strengths-based conversations, using strengths to lead teams, and leveraging strengths for career enhancement. Participants must have completed the Strengths Part 1 workshop to register. TLPDC 153
- Mar12Thu
Reclaiming Attention: Digital Detox Strategies for Higher Ed Faculty – (March 12, 2026 03:00 PM – 03:50 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NzA0YzM4NmEtZjRlMi00YTIwLWFjNjctMTU3NDg0NzU4YWMz%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22178a51bf-8b20-49ff-b655-56245d5c173c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22ba9b8010-8915-4519-9909-b02ad2d5002c%22%7d
Available Seats: 83
Presenter: Lisa Low This session introduces a "Digital Detox" approach, helping faculty reclaim focus and joy by limiting digital distractions and fostering deeper, uninterrupted work. Participants will explore the cognitive impact of multitasking, dopamine-driven tech habits, and strategies for implementing focus-oriented routines. Key takeaways include understanding the brain's limits on multitasking, applying the Ivy Lee method for priority management, adopting the Pomodoro Technique to tackle procrastination and sustain deep work, and incorporating movement “snacks” into daily routines. This session empowers attendees to guide students and themselves toward healthier digital habits and improved academic engagement. Teams Link Meeting ID: 272 264 333 387 88 Passcode: Qi7Kv9SE
- Mar24Tue
STEP Partnerships Power Hour – (March 24, 2026 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 37
The STEP Faculty & Student Partnerships Program Power Hour, held in the Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center (TLPDC), is an open-format, bi-weekly conversation designed by faculty, for faculty. Twice per month, a STEP Program Scholar will share a specific, actionable tip to enhance the classroom experience for both instructors and students. You'll hear directly how the implementation of these tips has transformed classroom dynamics. Half of our time will be dedicated to collaborative discussion on adapting these suggestions to fit your unique classroom environment. You will leave with a clear implementation strategy, ready for use in your very next class period. All Instructors of all ranks are invited and lunch is provided.
- Mar25Wed
Teaching (Media) in Times of Crisis: Lessons from the 2025 Society for Cinema and Media Conference – (March 25, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://texastech.zoom.us/j/92215697244
Available Seats: 299
Dr. Fareed Ben-Youssef comes to the TLPDC in a Zoom workshop to detail the key lessons of The Society for Cinema and Media (SCMS) Conference. Ben-Youssef will share how the conference presentations have informed his teaching practice, and he will ask attendees to reflect on how they work to become more nimble and empathetic educators ready to effectively teach (media) literacy and curiosity in times of ever-evolving crisis.
SCMS Conference is the major academic meeting in Film & Media Studies. It features panels sponsored by the Critical Media Pedagogies Scholarly Interest Group where media scholars from across the world probe the challenges and histories of teaching media. At the 2025 edition, the pallor of crisis colored the proceedings. These crises were not only related to the cultural climate but also to the rise of A.I. and the potentially atrophying attention of students raised in a social media dominated landscape. How can we get students to engage with movies of substantial duration when they have grown used to micro-length TikToks? At the SCMS Conference, the challenges facing media pedagogy today were a potent prism to explore the problem of teaching at the university today as well as the possibility, in the words of one presentation, to imagine the creation of a "pedagogy of care."
Bio: Fareed Ben-Youssef is Associate Professor in Film & Media Studies in the Department of English at Texas Tech University. His first book is No Jurisdiction: Legal, Political, and Aesthetic Disorder in Post-9/11 Genre Cinema (SUNY Press, 2022). He is also the Film Review Editor of Surveillance & Society. His classes at TTU have centered on topics like Border Western, UFOs, animation, Tarantino, the post-human, adaptation, trauma, censorship, (neo-)imperialism, and surveillance, as well as film and media pedagogy.
Zoom link: https://texastech.zoom.us/j/92215697244 - Mar25Wed
Mentorship Series: Maintaining Effective Communication – (March 25, 2026 02:00 PM – 03:20 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 26
Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers
Effective communication is foundational to successful mentoring relationships. While many recognize good communication when they experience it, mentors must deliberately cultivate and practice these skills. In this interactive session, participants will identify key characteristics of effective communication and engage in practical exercises to strengthen their mentoring dialogue.TLPDC 153 and TEAMS:Microsoft TeamsMeeting ID: 290 423 492 793 30Passcode: Zf6GA7EU - Mar30Mon
Building Bridges, Not Walls: A Fresh Approach to Academic Integrity – (March 30, 2026 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZTEwMzdmODMtNWJlZi00MjYwLTljZDctYzM1ZWY0OWE1ZTg2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22178a51bf-8b20-49ff-b655-56245d5c173c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22ba9b8010-8915-4519-9909-b02ad2d5002c%22%7d
Available Seats: 281
Why do some students see academic integrity as an outdated formality while faculty view it as fundamental to education? This interactive workshop facilitated by Barbie Chambers and Mitzi Ziegner from the TLPDC explores the gaps that shape how we and our students approach academic honesty. You'll discover practical strategies for moving beyond rule enforcement to meaningful conversations about character and professional preparation. Through real scenarios and discussion, we'll explore innovative ways to help students embrace integrity as a cornerstone of their Red Raider identity. Join us to transform how you think about and teach academic honor! Teams link Meeting ID: 213 766 984 396 53 Passcode: hv9Ca3rS
- Apr1Wed
Full Disclosure: Paths, Pivots and Possibilities – (April 1, 2026 1:30 PM – 2:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 28
In this candid panel discussion, faculty reflect on the realities of pursuing promotion to full professor: the choices they made, the unexpected turns, and the insights they gained along the way. Panelists will discuss navigating shifting priorities, balancing teaching and scholarship, and redefining success across different career stages. Participants will leave with practical perspectives, reassurance, and a clearer understanding of the many viable pathways toward Full Professor. Colleagues share what they’ve learned, and unlearned, on the journey to full professor (panel to be announced) TLPDC 153 & TEAMS Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 243 250 449 943 8/Passcode: U8NV9EU9
- Apr2Thu
Building Bridges, Not Walls: A Fresh Approach to Academic Integrity – (April 2, 2026 12:30 PM – 1:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 33
Why do some students see academic integrity as an outdated formality while faculty view it as fundamental to education? This interactive workshop facilitated by Barbie Chambers and Mitzi Ziegner from the TLPDC explores the gaps that shape how we and our students approach academic honesty. You'll discover practical strategies for moving beyond rule enforcement to meaningful conversations about character and professional preparation. Through real scenarios and discussion, we'll explore innovative ways to help students embrace integrity as a cornerstone of their Red Raider identity. Join us to transform how you think about and teach academic honor! Lunch will be provided.
- Apr7Tue
STEP Partnerships Power Hour – (April 7, 2026 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 28
The STEP Faculty & Student Partnerships Program Power Hour, held in the Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center (TLPDC), is an open-format, bi-weekly conversation designed by faculty, for faculty. Twice per month, a STEP Program Scholar will share a specific, actionable tip to enhance the classroom experience for both instructors and students. You'll hear directly how the implementation of these tips has transformed classroom dynamics. Half of our time will be dedicated to collaborative discussion on adapting these suggestions to fit your unique classroom environment. You will leave with a clear implementation strategy, ready for use in your very next class period. All Instructors of all ranks are invited and lunch is provided.
- Apr7Tue
AI-Workshop (Formal Title Forthcoming) – (April 7, 2026 12:30 PM-2:00 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 21
Facilitator: Dr. Shan Xu Full description to come. Below is the current content provided by Shan:
- Research evidence on effective human–AI collaboration (including two studies from her lab)
- Teens and their AI companions
- How AI shapes student learning
- How AI is reshaping the job market
- Apr10Fri
Finding Instructional Materials – (April 10, 2026 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 34
Using Open Educational Resources opens up a collection of resources to fill gaps in instructional materials. This session would allow instructors time to discuss the gaps that exist in their current materials, and they will be guided through finding resources in the library and locating Open Resources. With time to learn and explore, instructors will leave with an actionable item to use immediately. 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 Meeting ID: 273 825 931 978 14 Passcode: nX9Wx6MS
- Apr10Fri
Strengths Part 2: Activating Your Strengths in Your Academic Life
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%253ameeting_ZjRiNmJiYmQtZjY0MC00MzUyLWEwNmEtNDk0NTU0M2ZhYmIx%2540thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522178a51bf-8b20-49ff-b655-56245d5c173c%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522ba9b8010-8915-4519-9909-b02ad2d5002c%2522%257d&data=05%7C02%7CTrisha.D.Pettiet%40ttu.edu%7C63c4f0e935494580b28008de642dcfb7%7C178a51bf8b2049ffb65556245d5c173c%7C0%7C0%7C639058345071461056%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ovUHmCY%2FQavry2h%2B%2B4po%2FT6VhVJ%2B2olM1SVwbtUEmsY%3D&reserved=0
Available Seats: 299
In this workshop, faculty will develop a deeper understanding of CliftonStrengths, engagement, leadership and collaboration. It will build on the concepts presented in Strengths part I. Participants will engage in discussions and activities about cultivating a strengths-based culture, identifying strengths in others, facilitating strengths-based conversations, using strengths to lead teams, and leveraging strengths for career enhancement. Participants must have completed strengths 1 to register.
Microsoft TeamsMeeting ID: 288 563 757 862 49Passcode: AV6W6A6H - Apr15Wed
Matters of Importance: Employing the concept of “Mattering” to better serve students – (April 15, 2026 2:00 PM – 2:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 26
Student success is often framed through the lens of “sense of belonging,” yet emerging research shows that the deeper driver of engagement and persistence is the feeling that one matters. Or in other words: that one’s presence, contributions, and experiences are noticed and valued. This workshop introduces the concept of mattering as a transformative framework for supporting students. Through discussion and applied strategies, participants will learn how to identify gaps in mattering, redesign touchpoints in advising and teaching, and implement communication practices that affirm students’ significance. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to foster environments where students not only fit in or belong for a certain period of time, but genuinely feel that they matter.
- Apr17Fri
Compelling Conversations: Developing Effective Communication Through Myers-Briggs Type – (April 17, 2026 11:00 AM – 02:00 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 151
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 151
Available Seats: 70
Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers This workshop will explore how personality preferences shape communication patterns in academic and professional settings. Using the Myers-Briggs framework, participants will explore their type preferences, identify strengths and growth areas, and develop strategies to enhance their communication effectiveness. After registering, participants will receive an invitation to take the MBTI®. The assessment must be completed by Wednesday, April 2nd. During the workshop, the facilitator will provide an overview of MBTI concepts so individuals can receive their verified, personalized results reports. Lunch will be provided!
Microsoft TeamsMeeting ID: 245 201 724 972 94Passcode: UJ3Si3qy - Apr22Wed
Power Over & Power Under vs. Power With: Reimagining Power in Higher Education – (April 22, 2026 1:30 PM – 2:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 151
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 151
Available Seats: 66
Facilitator: Dr. Lisa Garner Santa This session invites faculty to examine how power dynamics shape our work in higher education, both in formal structures and in everyday interactions. Using core processes from Nonviolent Communication (NVC), we will explore the distinctions between “power over,” “power under,” and “power with,” and consider how these patterns influence communication, decision-making, and relationships across campus. Through guided reflection, NVC-based exercises, and small-group discussion, participants will reimagine power as a collaborative, generative force that supports mutual respect, shared purpose, and a healthier academic culture. TLPDC 151 or TEAMS Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 287 597 623 005/Passcode: f5dV3wi9
- Apr24Fri
The Swings That Have Missed – (April 24, 2026 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 30
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.