Graduate Student Professional Development Summit

 Check-In and Refreshments

Exploring Campus: Team Scavenger Hunt

Ana Quiring, Learning Innovation Specialist, Center for Teaching and Learning

This session leads students on an interactive tour of campus that allows them to familiarize themselves with important resources, various buildings, and campus landmarks. It also provides an opportunity to network and build community with other students through a lighthearted scavenger hunt.

Groups will be formed promptly at 9:00 AM and launched from registration and check-in on the garden level of Anheuser-Busch Hall before 9:00 AM.

Running a Lab (Panel Discussion)

Meghann Humphries, Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology - moderator • Theresa Moore, Behavioral Neuroscience graduate student • Abby Jenson, Behavioral Neuroscience graduate student • Jessica Thompson, Chemistry graduate student

Experienced graduate students will discuss working in classroom and research labs at UMSL.

Target audience: Graduate students responsible for supporting or running lab sessions.

Expectations and Perspectives in the U.S. Classroom

Denise Mussman, Teaching Professor of English for Academic Purposes (she/her)

This session is for international students serving as graduate teaching assistants. Come and learn about cultural differences in teaching plus strategies to communicate ideas and engage students.

 *Required for new international GTAs

Learning Starts Now: For You and Your Students

Peggy Cohen, Associate Provost Emerita; Founding Director, CTL (she/her)

Effective teaching depends on knowing (1) how we learn and (2) how to help students know how to learn. This interactive session focuses on what you can do from the start of the semester to support students’ learning and metacognition.

Target audience: Anyone currently leading a class or interested in learning about teaching.

Building an Inclusive Classroom: The Role of Existential Themes

Matthew Taylor, Associate Professor, Psychological Sciences; Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, College of Arts & Sciences

This session will cover the multiple layers of identity and experience students bring to the classroom and practical strategies we can use to help build an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging and purpose for all students. Note, that this session runs twice presenting the same material both times.

Target audience: Anyone currently leading a class or interested in learning about teaching.

Using Canvas as a Grading, Engagement, and Connection Tool for Learning

Catt Friel, Missouri Online, Sr. Instructional Designer (she/her)

This interactive session will cover behind-the-scenes ways to utilize Canvas to better facilitate your instruction and engage learners. Possible topics include but are not limited to - alternative methods of assignment feedback (multimedia), applying New Canvas Analytics for targeted communication and check-ins, and effective and efficient ways to increase instructor presence.

Target audience: Anyone with teaching, material development, announcement, or grading responsibilities in Canvas.

Giving Effective Feedback to Promote Learning

Jamie Martin, Postdoctoral Fellow, College of Education

A majority of feedback we give to students does not support learning. Learn about effective feedback strategies that support student learning.

Target audience: Anyone interested in learning feedback strategies.

CUT Introductory Session

Joining our Certificate in University Teaching program? If so, join us after your lunch to chat with experienced CUT participants and other new students to learn more about the CUT experience.

TAA Introductory Session

Learn more about the CTL’s new program, Teaching Assistant Academy. This year-long program for currently teaching graduate students includes ongoing sessions on teaching strategies, work-life balance, and community building.

Networking and Chitchat Room

If you’re not currently interested in one of the above information sessions but would like to chat with your peers and make new friends, have lunch in this room, equipped with games and conversation starters.

Quiet Room

If you need a break during the day, have lunch in this designated quiet room.

Partners in Learning: Promoting Student Well-being and Safety

Chris Sullivan, Director of Health, Counseling, and Disability Services • Robin Kimberlin, Director of Student Advocacy & Care • Lt. David Woods, Deputy Commander, Bureau of Special Operations, UMSL Police Department

Representatives from key UMSL offices lead a discussion about supporting successful learning environments around academic and classroom issues as well as how to support student well-being and success: student counseling, resources, and campus experts. Examples and resource contacts will be provided.

Target audience: Graduate students interested in learning about UMSL campus supports.

Practical Strategies for Inclusive Teaching

Jennifer McKanry, Assistant Director, Center for Teaching and Learning

This session builds on Matthew Taylor’s morning session on inclusive teaching, elaborating on a set of concrete, doable strategies that graduate student teachers can use to build trust, rapport, and inclusivity in the classroom.

Target audience: Anyone currently leading a class or interested in learning about teaching.

Building a Relationship With Your Academic Mentor (Panel Discussion)

Ana Quiring, Learning Innovation Specialist, Center for Teaching and Learning - moderator • Aimee Dunlap, Associate Professor of Biology • Kate Votaw, Associate Teaching Professor, Pierre Laclede Honors College • George Todd, Biology graduate student • Hannah Rose, School Psychology graduate student

Faculty and graduate students share their experiences of academic mentorship, a major building block of the graduate study experience. How do we build a productive and honest relationship with our advisor? Where can we find mentorship outside of the advising relationship?

Target audience: All graduate students, especially those interested in building strong professional relationships.

Partners in Learning II: Supporting Students In Learning

Tara Cramer, Manager of Disability Access Services (she/her) • Maya Scruggs Hicks, Director of Student Outreach Services

Campus colleagues share insights and details about student success topics you’ll experience in the first weeks of the semester as well as resources for who to contact and when. Examples will be provided of how to handle disability access accommodation letters, enrollment verifications, and submitting flags for student concerns.

Target audience: Graduate students interested in learning about UMSL campus supports.

Writing in Graduate School

Lauren Obermark, Associate Professor of English • Kate Watt, Associate Teaching Professor of English

This session explores why writing is important but often intimidating, especially as we move to new phases of academic life. Participants will reflect on their own relationship with writing, discuss common challenges, and learn about resources to support their work.

Target audience: Graduate students interested in writing and teaching writing well.

Unlocking Academic Success: Resources at the UMSL Library

Lindsay Schmitz, Social Sciences and Government Information Librarian • Andrew Stout, Access Services, Philosophy, and Sciences Librarian

Join us for an exploration of the resources and services offered by the UMSL Libraries! Learn about effective academic research strategies, finding scholarly journals and books, organizing your research, and how to connect directly with our knowledgeable librarians.

Target audience: Graduate students interested in using and teaching their own students about university resources.