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.
- Sep28Mon
Building Bridges, Not Walls: A Fresh Approach to Academic Integrity
Available Seats: 71 of 100
Date: September 28, 2026 11:00 am - 11:50 am
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/277594173175031?p=KlLlosKaVFigJltfUB
Facilitators: Mitzi Ziegner (Associate Director of the TLPDC, TeMPO Program Director) and Barbie Chambers (Director, Faculty Mentorship Academy)
Why do some students see academic integrity as an outdated formality while faculty view it as fundamental to education?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: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/277594173175031?p=KlLlosKaVFigJltfUB
Meeting ID: 277 594 173 175 031
Passcode: e4yF9H8G - Sep28Mon
Mentorship Series: Facilitating Group & Individual Dynamics - (September 28, 2026 2:00 PM - 3:20 PM)
Available Seats: 280 of 300
Date: September 28, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/281290816864739?p=edAcmXMYJQvpCE80cl
Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers Effective mentorship begins with establishing a relationship and trust between individuals and within groups. Mentors who facilitate these dynamics must be intentional, clear, and flexible while fostering open dialogue. This workshop will explore how mentors can encourage individual ownership, self-reflection, and shared discoveries with their mentees.
________________________________________________________________________________ Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/281290816864739?p=edAcmXMYJQvpCE80cl Meeting ID: 281 290 816 864 739 Passcode: kv7xa7DM Need help? | System reference For organizers: Meeting options ________________________________________________________________________________ - Sep29Tue
Extending Engagement: Unlocking the Full Power of Top Hat - (September 29, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Available Seats: 84 of 100
Date: September 29, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/216324763388201?p=w7QdiMTqNLlKsvCPAt
Facilitator: Tara Furey (Top Hat Enterprise Engagement Manager)
Engagement from day one. Join Top Hat for an overview of the dynamic courseware and student engagement tools that are available across campus. Learn how Top Hat can help you create impactful learning experiences before, during and after class. We’ll cover strategies to make learning active while keeping a pulse on student progress, how to build interactive discussions, polls, and quizzes, and how to incorporate formative assessment.
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/216324763388201?p=w7QdiMTqNLlKsvCPAt
Meeting ID: 216 324 763 388 201
Passcode: 92wD3VJ9 - Oct1Thu
Supporting Our Students: Strategies for Responding with Empathy and Compassion While Maintaining Boundaries and High Expectations - (October 1, 2026 11:00 am - 12:20 pm)
Available Seats: 12 of 40
Date: October 1, 2026 11:00 am - 12:20 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 150
Facilitators: Nichole Morelock (Professor of Practice and Chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Human Sciences) and Mitzi Ziegner (Associate Director of the TLPDC, TeMPO Program Director)
Join Dr. Nichole Morelock, Professor of Practice in the Department of Community, Family, & Addiction Sciences and Mitzi Ziegner, Instructor for the College of Human Sciences and the Honors College and Associate Director at the TLPDC, as they discuss strategies for holding space and responding to students with grace while also maintaining high expectations, healthy boundaries and a nurturing a rich learning environment. Lunch will be provided and there will be time at the end for an “ask me anything” style conversation.
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/299466009477384?p=vLEV0248u9ycPQp6J9
Meeting ID: 299 466 009 477 384
Passcode: 4xK7cf7e - Oct2Fri
John M. Burns Conference: Morning Keynote
Available Seats: 26 of 72
Date: October 2, 2026 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 151
Compassionate Pedagogy in Practice: Making Space for Connection, Mistakes, and Meaningful Learning
with Dr. Vicki Pitstick
In higher education, faculty are tasked with the difficult responsibility of holding high standards for student learning while also having compassion in the classroom. In this keynote session, Dr. Vicki Pitstick will talk about the value of holding those ideas together in tension. Compassionate pedagogy doesn't have to mean sacrificing rigor and it actually has potential benefits for deep learning and engagement. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own teaching as they consider new ways to build a classroom culture of connection and trust in order to make space for mistakes and risks and support high level learning. Lunch will be provided in the TLPDC lobby right after the session! - Oct2Fri
John M. Burns Conference: Afternoon Workshop
Available Seats: 46 of 72
Date: October 2, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 151
Compassionate Pedagogy in Practice: Making Space for Connection, Mistakes, and Meaningful Learning
with Dr. Vicki Pitstick
This workshop will build on the ideas of compassionate pedagogy discussed in the morning keynote. Participants will have the opportunity to think more deeply about the tensions that are directly related to student behavior, like authenticity vs. perfectionism, vulnerability vs. disengagement, and courage vs. shame. Groups will have time to develop concrete strategies, messaging, activities, and plans to assist in navigating these tensions while using a compassionate approach. - Oct5Mon
Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Undergraduate Classroom
Available Seats: 23 of 36
Date: October 5, 2026 12:00 pm - 1:20 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 153
Facilitators: Kent Wilkinson (Professor in Journalism and Creative Media Industries) and Jerome Koch (Professor in Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work) Teaching undergraduates means navigating a wide range of student perspectives, expectations, and reactions, and doing so thoughtfully requires both experience and preparation. In this session, two seasoned faculty members, Dr. Kent Wilkinson (College of Media and Communication) and Dr. Jerome Koch (College of Arts and Sciences), will share their perspectives on effective communication practices with undergraduate students, drawing on decades of combined classroom experience. They will offer candid reflections on teaching in today's higher education landscape and what it means to communicate with clarity, confidence, and care when the stakes feel high. The session will include practical scenarios and discussion of possible responses to challenging classroom moments, giving participants concrete strategies they can bring to their own courses. Dr. Wilkinson and Dr. Koch will also speak to the importance of building relationships with supportive administrators and senior faculty colleagues who can serve as trusted resources and guides as you find your footing in the classroom and in the institution. This conversation is especially relevant for graduate part-time instructors and early-career faculty who are still developing their classroom voice and looking for trusted guidance from colleagues who have navigated the terrain before them. Lunch will be provided for everyone who registers.
- Oct5Mon
AI:20 | Accessible in an Instant - (October 5, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:20 pm)
Available Seats: 86 of 100
Date: October 5, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/261419900042646?p=LrJqMOdGLgNnMhwzVZ
Facilitator: Lisa Low (Director of the Division of AI Pedagogy & Policy; Professor of Practice, Public Relations)
Use generative AI and RaiderCanvas templates to create clearer, more accessible course materials faster. See how AI can help restructure content, improve headings and organization, draft alt text, and turn existing materials into more student-friendly Canvas pages.
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/261419900042646?p=LrJqMOdGLgNnMhwzVZ
Meeting ID: 261 419 900 042 646
Passcode: MR3sA2Ac - Oct6Tue
Matters of Importance: Employing the concept of “Mattering” to better serve students - (October 6, 2026 11:00 am - 12:20 pm)
Available Seats: 24 of 36
Date: October 6, 2026 11:00 am - 12:20 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 153
Facilitator: Sarah Schiffecker (Lecturer, College of Media & Communication)
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.
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/270304818451274?p=dfRBVT15kHFsgraoE2
Meeting ID: 270 304 818 451 274
Passcode: 7d5pD6i9 - Oct7Wed
Assigned & Optional Readings in Canvas: A Working Session with TTU Libraries
Available Seats: 27 of 30
Date: October 7, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 153
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. - Oct8Thu
AI:20 | Get More from Canvas Studio - (October 8, 2026 12:30 pm - 12:50 pm)
Available Seats: 87 of 100
Date: October 8, 2026 12:30 pm - 12:50 pm
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/284100248697754?p=kOZhPJpJ6NOYbe69Wu
Facilitator: Kylie Harlan (TLPDC AI Faculty Fellow; Lecturer, Agricultural Communications)
Canvas Studio is Canvas's built-in video tool for recording, hosting, and captioning course videos. Use generative AI to turn your lecture videos into interactive, accessible content, complete with accurate captions, embedded questions, and built-in analytics.
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/284100248697754?p=kOZhPJpJ6NOYbe69Wu
Meeting ID: 284 100 248 697 754
Passcode: 6th3yD6j - Oct12Mon
Supporting and Advancing Graduate Education - (October 12, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm)
Available Seats: 19 of 36
Date: October 12, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 153
Facilitator: Mark Sheridan (Dean of the Graduate School)
This session will be a discussion of services and resources to support graduate teaching and research as well as graduate student and postdoc mentoring.
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:
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/254385450614584?p=Xp9SbbiFNc3VXX0v9F
Meeting ID: 254 385 450 614 584
Passcode: vy9EK29Y - Oct15Thu
The Effective Leader: Learning the Characteristics for Success and Expanding Your Leadership Skills and Abilities
Available Seats: 13 of 36
Date: October 15, 2026 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 153
Facilitator: Dr. Angela Lumpkin (Professor and Department Chair, Kinesiology & Sport Management)
This two-hour workshop, which includes lunch, will have two primary foci—the characteristics required for leaders to be successful and the development of efficacious leadership skills and abilities. The characteristics of effective leaders include knowing what their values are and committing to living by and leading through their core values. Successful leaders are people of integrity, trustworthy, self-aware, credible, competent, self-motivated with initiative, positive or optimistic, passionate, approachable, accountable, and decisive. Leadership development requires making relational commitments, nurturing mutual respect and trust, using communication skills including active listening, displaying emotional intelligence encompassing managing ourselves and our relationships effectively, implementing a service orientation, employing others through delegation, managing conflict, and inspiring forward thinking and actions. During this workshop participants will increase their knowledge about and the importance of the effective traits of successful leaders as well as gain insights into the leadership skills and abilities they need to learn, apply, and expand. In small groups, participants will explore real-world scenarios that will help them gain greater self-awareness of their values and beliefs that reveal who they are and what their strengths and areas of improvement may be.
*This workshop is designed for current or aspiring Department Chairs, Area Coordinators, or School Directors as well as faculty members serving in associate roles to these positions and faculty interested in advancing into leadership positions on campus.
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:
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23519769919690?p=3bEnyX33nwZoQLLeyc
Meeting ID: 235 197 699 196 90
Passcode: US2qV3aM - Oct16Fri
Virtual Introduction MBTI Session - (October 16, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm)
Available Seats: 296 of 300
Date: October 16, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/22033164922008?p=O4ETPA6BoikPS7widx
Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers Discover how understanding personality differences can accelerate your academic career in this interactive workshop designed for university employees. Using the Myers-Briggs® framework, you'll gain deep insights into your own personality type while learning to recognize and appreciate how colleagues operate differently. Through practical strategies and real-world academic scenarios, you'll discover how to leverage personality differences constructively—whether collaborating on research, navigating department dynamics, or leading teams. You'll leave with a powerful toolkit for building stronger professional relationships and positioning yourself for greater career success in academia. After registering, participants will receive information on completing the free MBTI assessment before the workshop. ________________________________________________________________________________ Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/22033164922008?p=O4ETPA6BoikPS7widx Meeting ID: 220 331 649 220 08 Passcode: yv7Aa74M Need help? | System reference For organizers: Meeting options ________________________________________________________________________________
- Oct21Wed
Internationalizing your Research and Teaching Portfolio - (October 21, 2026 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm)
Available Seats: 13 of 36
Date: October 21, 2026 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 153
Facilitator: Reagan Ribordy (Interim Vice Provost for International Affairs)
Join the Office of International Affairs for an informational workshop that will highlight:- International research opportunities
- Global collaborations and partnerships
- Study Abroad- TTU Center Sevilla / TTU-Costa Rica
- Curriculum internationalization
- Outreach and engagement resources
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/233646407576360?p=RSG5KfVtThEhPnzYhR
Meeting ID: 233 646 407 576 360
Passcode: LA2Uv3jn - Oct22Thu
Work Life Integration and Other Faculty Constructs - (October 22, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Available Seats: 29 of 36
Date: October 22, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 153
Panelists: Jeffrey Harper (Associate Professor of Practice, Marketing & Supply Chain Management), Jason Headrick (Associate Professor, Agricultural Education and Communications) Divya Janardhan (Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Arts), and Angela Walla (Professor, Animal and Food Sciences)
Finding it more and more of a challenge to seek balance in your professional and personal roles? More often than not, do you feel that achieving success in one area leads to feeling that you must neglect the other? You are not alone! In this facilitated discussion, TTU faculty will share their struggles, strategies, ideas and insights. Please join us!
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/275221316930395?p=OLWWqboW849hpOdaX1
Meeting ID: 275 221 316 930 395
Passcode: YJ9h4hp2 - Oct22Thu
Accessibility in Context: Aligning Access, Engagement, and Disciplinary Learning - (October 22, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
Available Seats: 89 of 100
Date: October 22, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/251855127102966?p=t0dgxu10NOlyjNpEhz
Facilitator: Andrea Beaudin (Lecturer, Professional Communication)
This interactive online session explores accessibility as a course-design question rather than a compliance exercise. Participants will examine how accessibility practices interact with learning outcomes, assessment, engagement, and disciplinary expectations. Using authentic teaching dilemmas such as timed exams, captioning in language courses, and describing charts for different learning goals, instructors will explore how to reduce barriers while maintaining academic rigor.
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/251855127102966?p=t0dgxu10NOlyjNpEhz
Meeting ID: 251 855 127 102 966
Passcode: 4xz3FD2K - Oct26Mon
Mentorship Series: Aligning Expectations - (October 26, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm)
Available Seats: 297 of 300
Date: October 26, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/217829331615595?p=xGAuu0zfJdzeh0pnfY
Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers 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: Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/217829331615595?p=xGAuu0zfJdzeh0pnfY Meeting ID: 217 829 331 615 595 Passcode: 9iy96Q6p Need help? | System reference For organizers: Meeting options ________________________________________________________________________________
- Oct29Thu
The Hidden Motivators: What Drives Us (and Drains Us) - (October 29, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm)
Available Seats: 66 of 76
Date: October 29, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 151
Facilitator: Dr. Lisa Garner Santa The rhythms of academic life are relentless. Over time, we begin to move through the motions—responding to requests, meeting expectations, saying yes before we even pause to ask why. In this session, we’ll explore the six life-alienating motivators named in Nonviolent Communication: reward, punishment, guilt, shame, duty, and approval. What happens when these motivators go unchecked? And what becomes possible when we bring awareness and choice into the picture? Using Rosenberg’s framework, we’ll identify internalized pressures that may be shaping our academic decisions—and begin to shift from obligation to alignment. “The most dangerous of all behaviors may consist of doing things 'because we're supposed to.’” – Marshall Rosenberg
- Oct30Fri
Strengths Part 1: Integrating Your CliftonStrengths to Enhance Faculty Career Planning - (October 30, 2026 11:00 am - 12:20 pm)
Available Seats: 35 of 40
Date: October 30, 2026 11:00 am - 12:20 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 150
Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers Faculty & staff juggle many responsibilities in their professional and personal lives. Individuals who can identify and leverage their areas of natural talent are more likely to be successful in planning their careers and experiencing a fulfilling life. Join us to identify your strengths foundation and learn how you can integrate that knowledge into improving your career, research, professional practice, teaching, service, and work/life integration. Participants should take the CliftonStrengths (StrengthsQuest) assessment for this session through the University Career Center at www.strengthsquest.ttu.edu. Lunch will be provided at this session!
- Nov2Mon
Bridging the Gap: Building Accessible and Interactive Learning Experiences - (November 2, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Available Seats: 88 of 100
Date: November 2, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/243668535325409?p=oKfJHQIC00nOebcYbj
Facilitator: Tara Furey (Top Hat Enterprise Engagement Manager)
Learning doesn't end when the lecture concludes; it evolves. In this session, learn methods to incorporate formative assessment and metacognitive activities into your course materials that extend engagement beyond class time. With Title II ADA deadlines on the horizon, ensuring digital course materials meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards is more than a compliance requirement, it is an opportunity to create inclusive, high-impact learning experiences. Learn how you can remediate and tailor your own materials, Open Educational Resources (OER), or interactive eTexts to achieve specific course objectives.
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/243668535325409?p=oKfJHQIC00nOebcYbj
Meeting ID: 243 668 535 325 409
Passcode: qC2V77gx - Nov3Tue
Strengths Part 1: Integrating Your CliftonStrengths to Enhance Faculty Career Planning - (November 3, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm)
Available Seats: 291 of 300
Date: November 3, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm
Location:Virtual Session
Room: Virtual Session
Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers Faculty & staff juggle many responsibilities in their professional and personal lives. Individuals who can identify and leverage their areas of natural talent are more likely to be successful in planning their careers and experiencing a fulfilling life. Join us to identify your strengths foundation and learn how you can integrate that knowledge into improving your career, research, professional practice, teaching, service, and work/life integration. Participants should take the CliftonStrengths (StrengthsQuest) assessment for this session through the University Career Center at www.strengthsquest.ttu.edu.
Nov4WedReclaiming Attention and Finding More Joy: Evidence-Based Digital Detox Strategies for Faculty - (November 4, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm)
Available Seats: 28 of 36
Date: November 4, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: 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.Nov5ThuFinding Your Authentic Voice: Developing vocal presence, confidence, and courage - (November 5, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm)
Available Seats: 25 of 36
Date: November 5, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 153
Facilitator: Prof Rachel Hirshorn Description Forthcoming!
Nov5ThuThe Swings That Have Missed - (November 5, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm)
Available Seats: 70 of 72
Date: November 5, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: 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.Nov6FriAssigned & Optional Readings in Canvas: A Working Session with TTU Libraries
Available Seats: 28 of 30
Date: November 6, 2026 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: 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.Nov6FriMind Your Mind – Nurturing Mental Wellness - (November 6, 2026 11:00 am - 11:50 am)
Available Seats: 28 of 36
Date: November 6, 2026 11:00 am - 11:50 am
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: 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: QK3jG2LSNov6FriAI:20 | Lucid: A Visually Engaging Tool in Canvas - (November 6, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:20 pm)
Available Seats: 89 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: qD6Vf9sENov9MonMentorship Series: Maintaining Effective Communication - (November 9, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm)
Available Seats: 295 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
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.________________________________________________________________________________ Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/216857263990260?p=ll1xDS8nscgpXPVRmr Meeting ID: 216 857 263 990 260 Passcode: MA3XF3q4 Need help? | System reference For organizers: Meeting options ________________________________________________________________________________Nov10TueReclaiming Attention and Finding More Joy: Evidence-Based Digital Detox Strategies for Faculty - (November 10, 2026 11:00 am - 11:50 am)
Available Seats: 91 of 100
Date: November 10, 2026 11:00 am - 11:50 am
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: 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: pP6h4x5kNov11WedRaider Success Hub Fundamentals for Faculty
Available Seats: 32 of 36
Date: November 11, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: 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: ZD2xQ7iFNov12ThuCollaborative Feedback in Academic Relationships: Giving and Receiving Feedback from a Place of Connection - (November 12, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm)
Available Seats: 63 of 76
Date: November 12, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: 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.
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 272 654 430 723 5
Passcode: rZ6ha2XK
Nov18WedFrom Tool Use to Critical Evaluation: Scaffolding AI Literacy in Your Course - (November 18, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
Available Seats: 25 of 36
Date: November 18, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: TLPDC 153
Facilitator: Priyanka Ganguly (Assistant Professor, English)
This workshop introduces a three-tier scaffolded pedagogical model for developing students' functional and critical AI literacy in online and hybrid course environments. Drawing on preliminary findings from an eight-week asynchronous technical communication course, participants will explore how low-stakes hands-on AI activities, structured analytical writing, and metacognitive AI-dialogue check-ins can be sequenced to move students from passive AI consumption toward critical engagement. Participants will leave with adaptable strategies for scaffolding AI literacy across disciplines and course formats.
*This workshop was developed as part of a TLPDC AI Mini-Grant.
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/281412619021845?p=HUkRgFqfbDUDIMrysn
Meeting ID: 281 412 619 021 845
Passcode: 8Dp38HV9Nov19ThuThe Faculty Reset - Vision, Purpose, Action - (November 19, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm)
Available Seats: 23 of 36
Date: November 19, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm
Location:Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North WingRoom: 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
Lunch will be provided!© 2018 Texas Tech University. All Rights Reserved.