Connection Workshops

Building Bridges, Not Walls: A Fresh Approach to Academic Integrity

Available Seats: 99 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Why do some students see academic integrity as an outdated formality while faculty view it as fundamental to education?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

Supporting Our Students: Strategies for Responding with Empathy and Compassion While Maintaining Boundaries and High Expectations

Available Seats: 39 of 40

Date: October 1, 2026 11:00 am - 12:20 pm

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

Room: 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

Matters of Importance: Employing the concept of “Mattering” to better serve students

Available Seats: 36 of 36

Date: October 6, 2026 11:00 am - 12:20 pm

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

Room: 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

The Effective Leader: Learning the Characteristics for Success and Expanding Your Leadership Skills and Abilities

Available Seats: 32 of 36

Date: October 15, 2026 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

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

Room: 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

The Hidden Motivators: What Drives Us (and Drains Us) - (October 29, 2026 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm)

Available Seats: 76 of 76

Date: October 29, 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 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 

Strengths Part 1: Integrating Your CliftonStrengths to Enhance Faculty Career Planning - (October 30, 2026 11:00 am - 12:20 pm)

Available Seats: 39 of 40

Date: October 30, 2026 11:00 am - 12:20 pm

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

Room: 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!  

Strengths Part 1: Integrating Your CliftonStrengths to Enhance Faculty Career Planning - (November 3, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm)

Available Seats: 299 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.

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

Available Seats: 34 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: Prof Rachel Hirshorn Description Forthcoming!

The Swings That Have Missed

Available Seats: 72 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.

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: 74 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.

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

Available Seats: 34 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