Expanded Summer Institute now open to all instructors of undergraduate students

From: Office of Undergraduate Education

Save the date: May 21-23

For the first time this year, the 2025 Summer Institute will be open to anyone who teaches undergraduates. The event will offer a mix of keynote and plenary sessions, workshops, small-group discussions, and concurrent sessions during the 2 ½ day schedule.

There will be sessions on authentic teaching and student engagement, as well as how to embed service learning, career development, or civic engagement into your courses. Fostering community, building accessible learning environments, and creating digital literacy in the age of AI will all be discussed. With over 50 sessions offered, those fairly new to teaching and seasoned veterans alike should leave with useful strategies. Attendance will be limited to 350.

There will be a keynote address from Liz Norell, author of “The Present Professor: Authenticity and Transformational Teaching” who serves as the associate director of instructional support in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at the University of Mississippi. Norell has taught in higher education for more than 20 years in a variety of contexts. Her keynote address, titled “Teaching in Challenging Times: Sustaining Ourselves Through Presence and Authenticity,” will discuss ways to be more authentic and present in the classroom to foster an environment of psychological safety and vulnerability.

The conference is sponsored by Career and Professional Development, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Office for Inclusive Strategy and Excellence, Office of Undergraduate Education, Student Success Initiatives, Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies, and Hokie Wellness.

All events will be held at the Fife Theatre in the Moss Art Center and the New Classroom Building on the Blacksburg campus. Registration, along with a detailed schedule will be available in April.