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Check Out "How can we solve the college student mental health crisis" - Insights to the College Journey.

How Can We Solve the College Student Mental Health Crisis? | Dr. Tim Bono | TEDxWUSTL Professor Tim Bono's talk delves into the mental health and psychology of students, specifically how unrealistic expectations can skew the formula for happin...

NCFDD presents a panel discussion about What I Wished I Would Have Known as an Academic Leader and University Administration. On July 23rd 2024 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
In this session, a panel of current and former university administrators will share their expertise and advice on academic leadership. Recognizing the opportunities and challenges of transitioning into different academic leadership roles, the panelists will share what they wished they would have known as new university administrators. We will also invite panelists to identify some strategies and resources that helped them navigate their new roles, responsibilities, and schedules as administrators. At the end of the session, we will ask panelists to share advice that aims to help new academic administrators and those who are interested in moving into different academic leadership positions.

Before you register, https://www.ncfdd.org/webinars/administratorpanel
You must be signed in to NCFDD account.

We're hiring!! UTEP InSPIRE is seeking a dynamic Communications Assistant to enhance our communications strategy and manage our social media presence. The ideal candidate will be skilled in creating engaging content, maintaining our department's image, and staying current with digital trends. Key responsibilities include content creation, event coverage, audience engagement, and optimizing communication schedules. If you have excellent communication skills and a passion for communication, apply now to join our team! Must have a Handshake account to apply. Job #9109144
https://buff.ly/4bFqajh

What we're listening to: "High School Students Want Answers Before Heading to Campus" an podcast episode by Edsurge. This is a conversion worth talking about especially, when the students in our classes don't look the same as they once did. We need to find the source of the lack thereof, and this episode suggests we should hear out these high students that are weary about entering college. They ask, "for what?" and we should have the answers for them. Hence, listening to this episode, we might be enlightened to see a different perspective, other than our own. By doing so, it might enrich the culture of students entering their college years and your classrooms. Learn more here:
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2024-05-14-college-for-what-high-school-students-want-answers-before-heading-to-campus

Register is open for NCFDD's 14 day Writing Challenge for Summer 2024! From July 15th to 28th.

The 14-Day Challenge is an opportunity for you to experiment with daily writing, online community, and supportive accountability. It's very simple:
You commit to write every day for at least 30 minutes.
At the beginning of your writing time, you login to our online community, start the timer, complete your writing, and post your progress at the end.
You take 5 minutes to support other writers in your group by commenting on their progress.
This is your chance to interact with your writing community and post your progress!

If you're up for the challenge, then we can't wait for you to join us!

Before you register, you must be signed in to NCFDD account! Click the link to learn more.
https://www.ncfdd.org/sessions/14daysummer2024

SETI Session 8: Evaluate and Adjust - Introducing the OSCQR
Come join us on July 26 @ 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Located in the Union Bldg East, Room 102B!

This session will explore the SUNY Online Course Quality Review Rubric to help ensure that the technology elements of your course demonstrate and support high-quality instruction. This rubric helps you to examine your course for Overview and Information provided, Technology and Tools employed, Design and Layout, Content and Activities, Interactions, and Assessment and Feedback approaches.
To gain the most from these sessions, we encourage you to have a course in mind where you can apply some of these lessons, a course you are teaching or would like to teach.

We will see you then !
To register, follow the link:
https://minetracker.utep.edu/event/9811925

As we celebrate Independence Day, let's reflect on the values of freedom, democracy, and unity that define our nation's spirit. Let's honor the sacrifices of those who have fought for our freedom by fostering an inclusive educational environment where diverse perspectives are respected and celebrated. May this day inspire us to uphold the principles of equality and opportunity as we continue to empower our students to become engaged citizens and leaders of tomorrow.
Warm regards, UTEP Inspire

NCFDD presents The Art of Saying NO! On Thursday July 11th, 2024 at 12PM-1:30PM. This webinar will go into understanding that "no." is a complete sentence and doing so, you will learn:

- The biggest mistakes faculty make in responding to requests

- How to identify and disrupt problematic patterns

- Our favorite strategies that you can implement immediately so you can add "no" to your vocabulary

So if you have been a "yes" person, and want to learn approaches to how you can effectively create boundaries between career and life. This webinar is for you!

Want to learn more? Click here to register and to learn more about event: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/utep-inspire-975284288_skill-6-the-art-of-saying-no-thursday-july-activity-7214291644458651648-Vh5_?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

What we're listening to this week is Educause's podcast episode: "Finding Flow; Harmonizing Life and Career." In this listen, you'll learn the importance of being present in the now and learning how to balance work and home life. Especially during the summer, it can seem we have all the time in the world, to do all the work possible, but in reality, life is passing us by. Do not miss out on a great summer and to do that we must manage our workload! This episode explores a variety of approaches that are right for you. Learn more here: https://er.educause.edu/podcasts/educause-rising-voices/2024/finding-flow-harmonizing-life-and-career

What we're listening to: How Senior Leaders Support Young Professionals, a podcast episode from Educause. This week we are opening our ears for this short but valuable listen. You'll learn the importance of how senior wisdom and guidance can help young professionals who admire the support of their seniors and their experiences. Simply, higher education individuals helping one another in this world is not only notable but an advantage to learn something new every day; and that day could be today. If you're interested follow this link:

How Senior Leaders Support Young Professionals Two former members of the EDUCAUSE Young Professionals Advisory Committee discuss how senior leadership is supporting younger staff in the higher ed t

NCFDD presents 3 Ps to Plan your Professional Pivot! This webinar will dive into practical strategies to plan your professional pivot. We will engage in reflective writing practices to determine your unique questions, goals, and path. Click here to register (must be signed in to NCFDD account) & to learn more about event:https://buff.ly/4ezUu1q

What we're reading: "Latest AI Announcements Mean Another Big Adjustment for Educators" by EdSurge. The article's focal point emphasizes the concept of teaching experts keeping the education and learning experience as human as possible in the midst of AI tools rapidly taking the reins of what once was traditional learning and teaching styles. Major AI companies have unintentionally assigned educators around the world major homework for the summer; which is not news. But if it is, this article is for you, to be up to date and know where to go from here. To learn more, follow this link: https://buff.ly/3RgYBFE

On Father's Day, let's extend heartfelt appreciation to the fathers and father figures within our academic community, acknowledging their vital role in shaping the lives of our students. May we celebrate the dedication, guidance, and love these individuals provide, recognizing the positive impact they have on the educational journey of our students. Wishing all fathers a day filled with warmth, gratitude, and the joy of the meaningful connections they foster.
Warm regards, UTEP Inspire

What we're reading: "Colleges MUST Respond to America's Skill-Based Economy" by EdSurge. The article highlights the necessity of how higher education is supposed to be the base layer of molding these students for their career and future. If our economy is not doing its part for our students, our future leaders, because of the lack of available and prepared workforce in America adds unnecessary fuel to the fire of poverty. Article ends with these timeless words: "Failure is not an option; America is depending on us." Read more here: https://buff.ly/3tN20Dz

What we're reading: "New Data Emphasizes the Correlation Between Loneliness and Student Mental Health" by TimelyCare.
This report discusses how college students who report feeling lonely are over 4 times more likely to experience severe psychological distress. The study yields insights into college students’ sense of belonging, social connection, and shared concerns about mental health. Caring for their mental health is necessary for student engagement, belonging, retention, and degree completion. Reminder: mental health matters in higher education; this is how you can contribute by following the link and learning more!
https://buff.ly/45aAf6q

NCFDD presents SKILL #5: Moving from Resistance to Writing! Touches base with procrastination and why summer is the best time to pave a new way to get things done! In this webinar there will be discussion as to how to resolve writer's block and identifying the source of the holdup.
To register and learn more, follow this link: https://buff.ly/3V8ISda

What we're reading! "After a Tough Year for Classroom Innovation, It’s Time for a Reset" by Sarah Rose Cavanagh normalizes rejuvenation for faculty to be prepared for the next batch of students. This article explores how to better support instructors in the face of faculty backlash against the demands of student-centered teaching. To learn & read more, follow this link:
https://buff.ly/4e1uv2I

The Lilly International Teaching and Learning Conference is an annual event that brings together educators from around the world to share insights, strategies, and research on effective teaching and learning practices. Key themes covered at the conference include active learning, the use of technology in education, assessment strategies, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Jeff Olimpo, Director of InSPIRE, and Elena Bitner, Instructional Developer, presented on our Student Engagement with Technology Institute (SETI) and its successes and challenges. We had some amazing discussions about ways we can improve the institute and made great connections with other colleagues. We are looking forward to implementing what we've learned and bringing new ideas back home to share!

Reason #486 why UTEP is Redefining Higher Education: Dr. Meredith Abarca. Dr. Abarca uses an innovative "out of the box" teaching style, utilizing a multimodal pedagogy that encourages her students to express their perspectives through diverse technology-driven communication methods. Together, Dr. Abarca and her students have explored a wide variety of digital projects that include, 3-D immersive experiences, cinemagraphs, museum design, cooking, video ethnographies, blogs, and student-led conferences. Learn More: https://buff.ly/4bobfei

SETI Session 7: Evaluate and Adjust – Student Performance and Evaluation.
This session will explore the tools available to help you analyze student performance and adjust your activities to better support student learning. We will also explore different methods of obtaining Student Evaluations of the course to get that important feedback on how your classes are being received. Resources and student instructions will be provided. June 14 from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. visit the link to register! https://buff.ly/4adhuQv

On Dia de las Madres and this Sunday on Mother's Day, let's take a moment to honor the incredible contributions of mothers and maternal figures within our academic community. May we express our gratitude for their unwavering support and resilience, recognizing the integral role they play in shaping the lives of our students. Wishing all mothers a day filled with love, appreciation, and the warmth of the connections they've nurtured within our educational family.
Warm regards, UTEP Inspire.

What we're reading: "Unbounded by Time: Understanding How Asynchronous Video Can Be Critical to Learning Success" As the COVID-19 pandemic thrust education into virtual spaces, instructors grapple with "Zoom hangovers" and the loss of personal connections with students. But this isn't just a pandemic problem—it's a long-standing struggle for educators. While synchronous video sessions offer immediacy, they also induce fatigue and limit flexibility. Enter asynchronous video, a game-changer in online education and flipped classrooms. Offering rich conversations, enhanced social presence, and improved student motivation, asynchronous video redefines how instructors connect with students. Discover how this innovative tool can revolutionize online learning, providing the much-needed variety and flexibility in a world saturated with videoconferencing fatigue. https://buff.ly/4b43h9Q

What we're reading: Dive into the debate surrounding traditional learning styles and discover why relying on visual, auditory, or kinesthetic categorizations may not be as effective as once thought. In this enlightening article, explore two research-backed alternatives: Dual Coding Theory and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Dual Coding Theory advocates for blending verbal and visual elements to enrich comprehension, while UDL promotes inclusive, flexible learning environments tailored to individual needs. Learn practical strategies for implementing these groundbreaking approaches and revolutionize your teaching methods for optimal student engagement and success.

Learning Style Alternatives : Learning Solutions This article examines two research-supported alternatives to the traditional learning styles (Dual Coding Theory and Universal Design for Learning). These ...

The Teaching with AI Learning Community (TALC) is a collaborative space for educators to explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into their professional practices. This initiative combines asynchronous training with in-person workshops, curated to the needs and interests of faculty/staff looking to leverage AI technologies to enhance teaching effectiveness, student learning outcomes, and student success. Members engage in the study of pedagogy through the completion of ACUE courses, collaborate and share teaching with AI approaches, and implement these approaches as part of their courses or other student-centered experiences. Learn more here!
https://buff.ly/4dinQ3O

Meet The InSPIRE Creative Team! We are a collaborative, multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to developing innovative solutions for higher education in the following areas: Graphic Design, Audio/Video, Gaming, Immersive Technologies, and Web Applications. We invite all faculty and academic departments across campus to collaborate with us in developing and integrating technology-supported projects. Together, we can achieve our goal of enhancing teaching and learning at UTEP. Interested in working with us? Submit your project idea!

https://buff.ly/44vreV5

Congratulations Dr. Melpignano! Thank you for all you do!

Last week UTEP's Office of Research and Innovation honored various faculty across campus. Among them is our very own, Dr. Melissa Melpignano from the Department of Theatre and Dance who was recognized with the "Rising Researcher Award".
Congratulations, Dr. Melpignano!
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