NISOD Learning Communities
NISOD is excited to launch Learning Communities in Fall 2025! A Learning Community is a group of faculty, staff, or a combination of both within or across disciplines with a mutual interest in some subject applicable to teaching and learning or student support and success. The purpose of NISOD Learning Communities is to foster connections between peers and share innovative and best practices with one another about the focus topic. Meeting frequency and duration will be selected by the facilitator/applicant with groups meeting virtually at least four times within the selected time frame. Each Learning Community is limited to 100 participants.
NISOD Learning Communities are a member benefit and only available to individuals at NISOD member colleges.
Department Chair Learning Communities:
These learning communities are designed for current, prospective, or previous department chairs at community and technical colleges who are navigating the complexities of mid-level management. This space offers a space to connect, share, and learn with others who understand the complexities of the department chair role. Discussion facilitators in conjunction with community participants will determine the focus of each meeting with the ultimate goal to create community and address common challenges faced within the role.
Registration is open on an ongoing basis. If you register after September 1, 2025, please send an email to learning@nisod.org to be added to the community Canvas course.
Learning Outcomes May Include:
- Developing strategies for effective onboarding and mentorship of new department chairs.
- Strengthening leadership skills in communication, team management, and conflict resolution.
- Navigating key administrative responsibilities such as budgeting, scheduling, and curriculum planning.
- Cultivating a collaborative peer network to support leadership development and well-being.
Current Learning Communities
Leading from the Middle: A Learning Community for Department Chairs–Midweek
Purpose
Department chairs play a pivotal role in translating institutional goals into meaningful action—often balancing faculty advocacy, student success, and administrative priorities. This NISOD Learning Community provides a supportive, peer-driven space where department chairs can explore practical leadership strategies, share challenges and successes, and learn from one another. Through interactive discussions and guided activities, participants will build a network of colleagues, deepen their leadership toolkit, and leave with actionable ideas to elevate their impact on campus.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this learning community, participants will be able to:
- Identify and apply leadership practices that support effective departmental management and faculty development.
- Develop strategies for navigating common challenges, including conflict resolution, time management, and change leadership.
- Foster a peer support network for ongoing mentorship, resource sharing, and professional learning.
Audience
Department Chairs (current, past, future)
Meeting Time
Thursday, 2:00 p.m. Central Time
Meeting Dates
Sep 18
Nov 20
Feb 19
Apr 16
Leading from the Middle: A Learning Community for Department Chairs–Friday Morning
Purpose
Department chairs play a pivotal role in translating institutional goals into meaningful action—often balancing faculty advocacy, student success, and administrative priorities. This NISOD Learning Community provides a supportive, peer-driven space where department chairs can explore practical leadership strategies, share challenges and successes, and learn from one another. Through interactive discussions and guided activities, participants will build a network of colleagues, deepen their leadership toolkit, and leave with actionable ideas to elevate their impact on campus.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this learning community, participants will be able to:
- Identify and apply leadership practices that support effective departmental management and faculty development.
- Develop strategies for navigating common challenges, including conflict resolution, time management, and change leadership.
- Foster a peer support network for ongoing mentorship, resource sharing, and professional learning.
Audience
Department Chairs (current, past, future)
Meeting Time
Friday, 10:00 a.m. Central Time
Meeting Dates
Sep 12
Nov 14
Feb 13
Apr 10
Leading from the Middle: A Learning Community for Department Chairs–Friday Morning
Purpose
Department chairs play a pivotal role in translating institutional goals into meaningful action—often balancing faculty advocacy, student success, and administrative priorities. This NISOD Learning Community provides a supportive, peer-driven space where department chairs can explore practical leadership strategies, share challenges and successes, and learn from one another. Through interactive discussions and guided activities, participants will build a network of colleagues, deepen their leadership toolkit, and leave with actionable ideas to elevate their impact on campus.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this learning community, participants will be able to:
- Identify and apply leadership practices that support effective departmental management and faculty development.
- Develop strategies for navigating common challenges, including conflict resolution, time management, and change leadership.
- Foster a peer support network for ongoing mentorship, resource sharing, and professional learning.
Audience
Department Chairs (current, past, future)
Meeting Time
Friday, 9:00 a.m. Central Time
Meeting Dates
Oct 3
Dec 5
Feb 6
Apr 3
Leading from the Middle: A Learning Community for Department Chairs–Friday Afternoon
Purpose
Department chairs play a pivotal role in translating institutional goals into meaningful action—often balancing faculty advocacy, student success, and administrative priorities. This NISOD Learning Community provides a supportive, peer-driven space where department chairs can explore practical leadership strategies, share challenges and successes, and learn from one another. Through interactive discussions and guided activities, participants will build a network of colleagues, deepen their leadership toolkit, and leave with actionable ideas to elevate their impact on campus.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this learning community, participants will be able to:
- Identify and apply leadership practices that support effective departmental management and faculty development.
- Develop strategies for navigating common challenges, including conflict resolution, time management, and change leadership.
- Foster a peer support network for ongoing mentorship, resource sharing, and professional learning.
Audience
Department Chairs (current, past, future)
Meeting Time
Friday, 10 a.m. Central Time
Meeting Dates
Sep 12
Nov 14
Feb 13
Apr 10
Leading from the Middle: A Learning Community for Department Chairs–Non-Academic Departments
Purpose
Department chairs play a pivotal role in translating institutional goals into meaningful action—often balancing faculty advocacy, student success, and administrative priorities. This NISOD Learning Community provides a supportive, peer-driven space where department chairs can explore practical leadership strategies, share challenges and successes, and learn from one another. Through interactive discussions and guided activities, participants will build a network of colleagues, deepen their leadership toolkit, and leave with actionable ideas to elevate their impact on campus. This session seeks to provide relevant and practical professional development for Career and Technical Education (CTE) program directors and chairs. For example, office administration, CAD, welding, automotive, diesel, graphics & printing, HVAC, medical billing, medical coding, phlebotomy, medical lab techs, paralegal studies, real estate, etc. If you are unsure whether this program is for you, come check it out. We welcome everyone.
Audience
Non-academic Department Chairs (current, past, future)
Meeting Time
Friday, 10:00 a.m. Central Time
Meeting Dates
Sep 5
Dec 5
Feb 6
Apr 3
For any questions, please contact a member of the NISOD education programming team at learning@nisod.org.