The University of Arizona Global Campus Celebrates 10th Annual Teaching and Learning Conference: Embracing Belonging in Higher Education
The University of Arizona Global Campus Celebrates 10th Annual Teaching and Learning Conference: Embracing Belonging in Higher Education bkeim Fri, 12/06/2024 - 12:00 [Chandler, AZ, December 6, 2024] — The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) recently concluded its milestone 10th annual Teaching and Learning Conference (TLC), held virtually from November 5-7, 2024. With over 900 attendees from more than 200 institutions nationwide, the conference featured over 100 presentations that brought together educators, researchers, and learners to explore this year’s theme: "Where are My Keys? Unlocking Belonging in Higher Education."During the TLC opening exchange, Gary Packard, interim senior vice provost of Online Initiatives at the University of Arizona shared that we must believe in our learning communities because that belief is integral to supporting a sense of belonging which champions the potential in every student, faculty, and staff member by creating environments where everyone feels valued and connected.The conference spotlighted the critical role of belonging within educational settings and how it influences vibrant, inclusive learning communities. Attendees co-created conference learning outcomes, with a focus on applying creative approaches to foster belonging in online education and understanding barriers to belonging to identify practical solutions.Key Highlights from TLC 2024:Engaging Spotlight Session Speakers: The conference featured insightful presentations from notable speakers, including:Marshall Stewart, executive VP for External Engagement and chief of staff at Kansas State University, who discussed the role of land-grant institutions in building belonging through history.Lauren Scharff, director of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Program at the U.S. Air Force Academy, who emphasized how any scholar can find their place in SoTL practices.A discussion on AI's role in human relationships and learning, featuring Rebecca Hinds, head of the Work Innovation Lab at Asana, and Zoe Jonassen, assistant professor at the University of St. Gallen, moderated by Nathan Pritts, associate professor at UAGC.Award-Winning Contributions:TLC Vanguard Award: Presented to Teresa Leary Handy, assistant professor at UAGC, for her work on building belonging among women faculty of color.TLC Teach Me More Award: Presented to Alexa Dunne, associate director of articulation and prior learning assessment at UAGC, and a panel of non-traditional credit experts for their research on non-traditional credit and its role in fostering belonging among adult learners.Future Resources: In early 2025, TLC Conference Proceedings and session recordings will be published, making the conference's rich content accessible for ongoing learning and reflection.As UAGC looks ahead to the next decade of teaching and learning excellence, the 2024 TLC marked a significant step in reimagining how belonging can be fostered in higher education. Through meaningful discussions, professional growth opportunities, and collaborative learning, UAGC continues to pave the way for innovation in creating inclusive educational experiences. The University of Arizona Global Campus is proud to offer over 50 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs with accelerated online classes designed to help you gain the skills you need. At UAGC, you will be part of the University of Arizona community of students and alumni who support each other from game day to graduation day and beyond. For more information about UAGC, visit UAGC.edu. 2024-12-06
[Chandler, AZ, December 6, 2024] — The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) recently concluded its milestone 10th annual Teaching and Learning Conference (TLC), held virtually from November 5-7, 2024. With over 900 attendees from more than 200 institutions nationwide, the conference featured over 100 presentations that brought together educators, researchers, and learners to explore this year’s theme: "Where are My Keys? Unlocking Belonging in Higher Education."
During the TLC opening exchange, Gary Packard, interim senior vice provost of Online Initiatives at the University of Arizona shared that we must believe in our learning communities because that belief is integral to supporting a sense of belonging which champions the potential in every student, faculty, and staff member by creating environments where everyone feels valued and connected.
The conference spotlighted the critical role of belonging within educational settings and how it influences vibrant, inclusive learning communities. Attendees co-created conference learning outcomes, with a focus on applying creative approaches to foster belonging in online education and understanding barriers to belonging to identify practical solutions.
Key Highlights from TLC 2024:
- Engaging Spotlight Session Speakers: The conference featured insightful presentations from notable speakers, including:
- Marshall Stewart, executive VP for External Engagement and chief of staff at Kansas State University, who discussed the role of land-grant institutions in building belonging through history.
- Lauren Scharff, director of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Program at the U.S. Air Force Academy, who emphasized how any scholar can find their place in SoTL practices.
- A discussion on AI's role in human relationships and learning, featuring Rebecca Hinds, head of the Work Innovation Lab at Asana, and Zoe Jonassen, assistant professor at the University of St. Gallen, moderated by Nathan Pritts, associate professor at UAGC.
- Award-Winning Contributions:
- TLC Vanguard Award: Presented to Teresa Leary Handy, assistant professor at UAGC, for her work on building belonging among women faculty of color.
- TLC Teach Me More Award: Presented to Alexa Dunne, associate director of articulation and prior learning assessment at UAGC, and a panel of non-traditional credit experts for their research on non-traditional credit and its role in fostering belonging among adult learners.
- Future Resources: In early 2025, TLC Conference Proceedings and session recordings will be published, making the conference's rich content accessible for ongoing learning and reflection.
As UAGC looks ahead to the next decade of teaching and learning excellence, the 2024 TLC marked a significant step in reimagining how belonging can be fostered in higher education. Through meaningful discussions, professional growth opportunities, and collaborative learning, UAGC continues to pave the way for innovation in creating inclusive educational experiences.
The University of Arizona Global Campus is proud to offer over 50 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs with accelerated online classes designed to help you gain the skills you need. At UAGC, you will be part of the University of Arizona community of students and alumni who support each other from game day to graduation day and beyond. For more information about UAGC, visit UAGC.edu.
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