February Newsletter 2024
Terry Novak, Ph.D
Terry Novak, Ph.D. is a Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences and a longtime champion of the Collaborative Learning Program and learning communities at JWU. Dr. Novak is someone who cares deeply about her students and is a tireless advocate for her faculty colleagues as a Faculty Council representative. Additionally, she has been a voice for a more just and fair community at JWU for students, faculty, and staff. Outside of JWU, Dr. Novak is a person of deep faith who is highly involved in a variety of charitable and social justice causes. Dr. Novak, we are proud to have you as a colleague!
Join the members of the CLP to discuss options and ideas for LC's in your discipline! The committee meets in person monthly.
Next Meeting: Friday, February 23rd, 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: Center for Teaching & Learning Lounge
Email the Center (CTL@jwu.edu) to register.
Providence Campus
Creating Equity-Minded Syllabi: A Multifaceted Approach
Traditional Presentation, Best Practice
Suzanne M. Buglione, Ed.D. (she/her), Associate Professor, College of Arts & Sciences
Chris Westgate, Ph.D. (he/him), Professor, College of Arts & Sciences
This session examines how syllabi shape equitable learning environments in higher education. By creating syllabi that are welcoming, collaborative, representative, deconstructed, demystifying, and validating (Center for Urban Education), professors can work toward greater degrees of equity consciousness. The session draws on the work of Bensimon to de-center whiteness and reject colorblindness. The outcome is for participants to reimagine their syllabi as tools that reflect equity commitments, close gaps, and cultivate belonging. Participants bring one of their syllabi to the session and walk away with a toolkit of strength-based language for marginalized, underrepresented, and first-generation learners. Concrete suggestions include policies and practices, inclusion of statements that presuppose success, and a reconceptualization of syllabi as instruments of change within higher education. By embracing equity-mindedness, dismantling hegemonic norms, and reinforcing diverse identities in their syllabi, faculty can contribute to the creation of anti-racist and pro-social institutions that celebrate inclusivity.
Charlotte Campus
Shaping Futures: Balancing Exploitation and Freedom in Education and Healthcare
Traditional Presentation, Best Practice
Adam Peal, Ph.D. (he/they), Assistant Professor, College of Arts & Sciences
This presentation explores the integration of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) within education and healthcare systems in the capitalist context of the United States. It critically examines how these systems balance exploitation and freedom, with a focus on enhancing democratic cooperation and reducing coercion. Drawing from personal research and practice in ABA, the presenter showcases positive outcomes such as improved collaborative approaches in educational settings and patient-centric practices in healthcare. These findings align with existing literature underscoring the effectiveness of multidisciplinary approaches in complex systems. The discussion includes an analysis of the growing influence of private equity in healthcare and the evolving dynamics in higher education, highlighting their impact on quality and accessibility. This presentation advocates for multidisciplinary dialogue to create sustainable, equitable systems in ABA, aiming to prepare professionals for navigating and positively influencing these challenging environments.
The Artificial Intelligence Response Committee convened in January and began discussion on how GenAI is impacting JWU faculty and students, both in and out of the classroom. The committee will meet monthly via Zoom.
Are you interested in how artificial intelligence will impact higher education? Would you like to be a part of the conversation about how JWU will respond? If so, please email the Center (CTL@jwu.edu) to express interest. We are still seeking faculty representatives from each college/campus, IDT, the library, and Community Standards & Conduct.
Based on conversations that have taken place in workshops and among cohort participants at the CTL, many of our JWU faculty and staff have fascinating stories to tell. If you’d like to share your story in a memoir (of any length) but don’t know where to start, or you’ve already drafted a memoir but would like feedback from your colleagues, consider joining the memoir writing circle. We will discuss the characteristics of the memoir genre, share our writing, and provide feedback to each other in a casual, supportive environment.
The group will meet on the first Tuesday of every month (February 6th) from 4:00-5:00, and you can either join in person at the CTL or remotely via Zoom. If you want further information about the writing circle, email Karen Shea at kshea@jwu.edu.
While cheating is not new, the ways in which students commit misconduct change over time, and with new changes in technology, there are always new trends faculty should be aware of. This workshop aims to educate faculty on our Academic Integrity policy and discuss trends we are seeing at JWU with our students. We will also bring in members of our Instructional Design and Technology team, who will review their role in assisting faculty with creating assessments that can mitigate misconduct. Lastly, this workshop will review the process of what to do if you suspect misconduct in your course, from investigation to referral to the Conduct Review Process and educational sanctions for responsible students.
Facilitated by: Kristin Pendergast, M.Ed., (She/Her), Assistant Director of Community Standards and Conduct
When: February 9, 2024, 10am
Where: VIRTUAL
Using data from her study funded by the National Institute of Health, from N=586 JWU students, Dr. Rosenthal will report on the mental health and physical health of our student body. This includes describing the sociodemographics of the population, the current state of health, identifying key disparities, and potential next steps. This talk will include an open discussion on how to translate key findings into actionable improvements on campus.
When: Monday, February 12th, 12-1pm
Where: VIRTUAL
Facilitated by: Samantha Rosenthal, Ph.D., MPH, Director of the Center for Student Research & Interdisciplinary Collaboration
All employees are invited to a conversation about ways we can contribute to an inclusive university. Topics will include an overview of bias and how it can impact our interactions, the harm of microaggressions, ways in which the impact of our words and actions may not always match our intent, and strategies for calling the people around us in rather than calling them out. This discussion will support both classroom dynamics and interpersonal interactions in our daily work.
Facilitated by:
Korina Ramsland Short, M.S. (she/her), Co-Director, Bridge for Diversity, Equity & Social Justice,
Michael Waugh, M.A. (he/him), Co-Director, Bridge for Diversity, Equity & Social Justice,
Chris Westgate, Ph.D. (he/him), Professor, College of Arts & Sciences
When: Thursday, February 15th, 11:00am-12:00pm
Where: Center for Teaching & Learning and VIRTUAL
The Teaching and Research cohort has been active with faculty and staff members in attendance, all working on traditional research or Scholarship of Teaching and Learning projects (SoTL)! All who feel they may benefit from a supportive environment and the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with peers while working on teaching or research projects are encouraged to join us.
Flexible VIRTUAL meeting times are being offered.
Next Session: Friday, February 16th, 2:00-3:00pm
Email CTL@jwu.edu to be added to the list of participants and to receive meeting invites.
Are you presenting a poster at the Expo? Do you need help with the design? Join us in the CTL classroom or virtually for an overview of poster specifications, the simplified poster template, using Canva poster templates, and how to create a QR code.
Facilitated by:
Katrina Herold, Ed.D (she/her), Director, Center for Teaching & Learning
Aly Marzini (she/her), Academic Administrative Coordinator, Center for Teaching & Learning
When: February 22, 2024, 12:30-1:30pm
Where: HYBRID, Center for Teaching & Learning & Zoom
This workshop will support the integration of case studies into the classroom. Topics will include analyzing case studies, facilitating in-class discussions, and developing assignments. The differences between synchronous and asynchronous case study facilitation will also be discussed. This workshop is open to all disciplines/colleges.
Facilitated by: John D. Varlaro, PhD, SPHR, GPHR
When: Friday, February 23rd, 12:30-1:30pm
Where: VIRTUAL
It is best practice to include an Academic Integrity statement on a course syllabus, but is that enough in today’s classroom? This faculty-led workshop will introduce you to methods beyond the syllabus that will assist you in setting clear expectations throughout the semester. Topics include syllabus information, uLearn options, and discussion topics that engage students in thinking critically about what it means to uphold integrity in the classroom.
Facilitated by:
Kristin Pendergast, M.Ed., (She/Her), Assistant Director of Community Standards and Conduct
Désirée Schuler, MA, (She/Her), English, Associate Professor, Humanities
When: March 8, 2024, 10am
Where: VIRTUAL
When: Friday, March 15th, 2024, 11:30am-1:00pm
Where: Harborside Academic Center (HAC Amphitheater) & VIRTUAL-- all JWU employees are welcome!
Presented by: Rosanne J. Westgate, Ph.D., CBIS
On Friday, March 15, Johnson & Wales University will welcome CTL and Bridge DEIB speaker Rosanne J. Westgate, Ph.D, CBIS. Her presentation--Neurodiversity on The College Campus--will include a discussion of how to handle complex situations that may arise in your classes and how to respond to neurodiverse students in effective ways. Concrete case studies will be shared and there will be an opportunity for Q&A toward the end of the presentation, which will take place in the HAC Amphitheater and will be simulcast on Zoom.
Dr. Westgate has been a leader in the field of special education since 1974 in New York State, and has worked and been influenced by pioneers in learning disabilities, such as Dr. Ray Barsch and Dr. Phillipa Berchen. Her early years found her teaching at a clinic for neurodiverse learners, preparing them to reenter mainstream classrooms by adapting educationally and socially. From her first teaching assignment, Dr. Westgate developed programs for students in the public school system and received awards for inclusive practices at one of the first school districts on Long Island to successfully implement co-teaching. She was recognized as a Channel 55 Educator of the Week and as a recipient of the Excellence in Teaching award for the New York State Council for Exceptional Children. For the Teaching Exceptional Children Plus journal, she has authored and coauthored articles such as "Poetry Emotion or Effective Literacy Practices for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities” and "The Power of Person Centered Planning."
At various public schools on Long Island, including but not limited to Southold, Southampton, and Hampton Bays, Dr. Westgate has worked as a special education administrator, a CSE Chairperson, a 504 Compliance Officer, and a principal. She was an adjunct professor at SUNY Cortland and SUNY Stony Brook, where she taught courses such as Special Education Law, Inclusive Practices, and Assessment and Diagnosis. Dr. Westgate has also served as the Director of the Kennedy-Willis Center at Pathfinder Village for individuals with Down syndrome, where she was directly involved in education and research in cognition. Her last position in the public school system was working with The NYS Education Department and Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES, where she was a Special Education School Improvement Specialist focusing on Specially Designed Instruction and Inclusive Practices.
Dr. Westgate maintains a private practice for neurodiverse children and adults working to acclimate to school and work environments. In this capacity, she has regular contact with individuals with learning disabilities, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and autism. In addition to her office work, Dr. Westgate is an autism consultant at Kelberman in Utica, New York, a diagnostic and treatment center for children and adults on the autism spectrum. She is a certified Brain Injury Specialist with the NYS Brain Injury Association and the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists.
Dr. Westgate’s primary focus is ensuring that neurodiverse learners at all levels learn to manage, navigate, and become self-advocates, making their teachers aware of their neurodiversity in order to find practical strategies for success on all levels.
All Providence employees are invited to join President Bernardo-Sousa for open and informal discussions on JWU’s culture of inclusion and belonging. Each session will be centered around a theme based on feedback received over the past year, including from the employee IDEA Survey. Discussions during the fall semester focused on experiences around disability addressing diversity in recruiting and hiring, and employee wellbeing. Each session will provide information and resources followed by facilitated conversation around a specific theme. Please view the spring semester discussion topics and sign up by clicking here. Refreshments will be provided!
When: Wednesday, March 13th, 1pm
Where: Center for Teaching & Learning, Richmond Building 1st floor, Downcity (IN PERSON ONLY)
There will also be a session at the Wildcat Center Lounge, Harborside on February 12th, 11am.
While faculty can be proactive in setting up class content, they cannot always prevent the unexpected when it comes to students in distress or being disruptive. This workshop addresses strategies that faculty can use when it comes to disruption in virtual and on- ground settings while maintaining control of their classroom. Faculty will also be provided with resources they can refer students to, including a review of the CARE Team process, Safety and Security, and uSucceed. The workshop will include real-life scenarios in which faculty will have to work as a team to address how to best handle each situation, concluding with a debriefing with Community Standards and Conduct.
Facilitated By: Kristin Pendergast, M.Ed., (She/Her), Assistant Director of Community Standards and Conduct
When: April 19, 10am
Where: VIRTUAL
Join us for this free nine-part webinar series in which we explore practical strategies for applying the nine Universal Design for Learning Guidelines to any modality.
Presenters will explore the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines in this free nine-part webinar series. Discover actionable strategies to spark curiosity and ignite learning across on-campus, asynchronous, synchronous, and hybrid environments. You'll gain practical tools and resources, readily adaptable to any discipline.
Dates: 1/24, 2/28, 3/27, 4/24, 5/29, 6/26, 7/31, 8/28, 9/25 (All dates are Wednesdays.)
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern
Audience: These webinars are recommended for faculty, instructional designers, librarians, tutors, academic advisors, and other personnel.
Sponsored By: the Goodwin University Institute for Learning Innovation, the Goodwin University Center for Teaching Excellence, and the University of Bridgeport Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.
Proposals for the NEBHE OER mini grant program are due by March 1st.
For all information related to this program, please visit our Library guide at:
Link to Library Guide and contact Lisa.Spicola@jwu.edu or Katrina.Herold@jwu.edu for more information
Faculty, although proposals are due in March, the project work can occur during the summer months!
CTL Classroom (with upgraded camera)
Contact us to reserve, or stop in anytime.
CTL Lounge
Contact us to reserve, or stop in anytime.
Want to get involved with the Center? Send us your ideas!
Ideas for CTL Programming
Nominations for CTL Spotlight
Reservations for Space
Advertising Your Event
Suggestions & General Feedback
Contact CTL@jwu.edu
Katrina Herold, Ed.D., Director
401-598-2249
Karen Shea, Ph.D., Assistant Director
Aly Marzini, Academic Administrative Coordinator
Phone: 401-598-2915