LIVE SESSION Student Success and Retention

A Literature Review of Summer Bridge Programs at Community Colleges

Summer Bridge Programs (SBPs) are student success initiatives designed to support students as they transition into college from high school. The goal of SBPs is to improve retention and graduation outcomes. The theoretical foundation for SBPs often draws from Vincent Tinto’s Model of Student Retention, with the majority of the studies focused on the four-year institution context. Research on SBPs within the community college context is more limited. This session presents findings from a literature review focused specifically on SBPs at community colleges. Particular attention is paid to how programs were designed for nontraditional students and commuter campuses. The purpose is to understand how these programs are structured and to identify promising practices and areas for future research.

Keisha Lanier Brown, Associate Professor, Mathematics, Perimeter College-Georgia State University

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 1:30–2:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Affective Education: The Heart and Soul of Teaching

Hey educator! Are you tired? Are continually expected to do more with less? Are you angry at your students? Do you doubt your effectiveness? Well, you are in luck! For the low price of $19.99 you can join my… Jokes aside, I feel you. We are burned out. But guess what, your students are too, and this has led to a lot of unhappy people. While many (expensive) solutions have been suggested (i.e., forced upon us), we end up no closer to actual student engagement and learning in the classroom. This is what I call toil. If this is you, join me as we dig deep to uncover the simple ways to reignite the heart and soul and joy of teaching.

Russell Nolan, Associate Professor, Science, Baton Rouge Community College

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 1:30–2:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Equitable Opportunity and Outcomes

AI for Belonging: Assets, Bias, and Leverage in Student Success

Generative AI offers powerful opportunities to advance inclusive student success in higher education. This interactive session equips faculty, staff, and leaders with practical tools to integrate AI ethically and effectively into learning environments. Grounded in UNESCO’s Guidance for Generative AI in Education and the EDUCAUSE 2024 Action Plan, participants will explore strategies for equity, personalization, and culturally responsive pedagogy. Through demonstrations, collaborative design sprints, and bias-mitigation activities, attendees will evaluate AI tools and co-create inclusive workflows. Participants will leave with an actionable toolkit to support transparency, accessibility, and belonging in AI-enhanced educational ecosystems.

Ursula Thomas, Associate Department Chair / Professor, Social Sciences / Education, Perimeter College-Georgia State University

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 3–3:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Equitable Opportunity and Outcomes

AI-Powered Accessibility: Streamline UDL and WCAG Compliance with Practical Tools

This hands-on session shows how to make online courses more accessible fast. We’ll use a simple “Audit, Automate, Activate” workflow that maps Quality Matters™ Standard 8, WCAG 2.1 (POUR), and UDL 3.0 so faculty can spot issues quickly, fix common barriers with Generative AI (alt-text, captions, readable text), and activate campus tools and supports. Live demos feature practical, free or licensed tools your college likely already has (e.g., Canvas Accessibility Checker, UDOIT, Panopto, etc). Attendees leave with a short checklist they can apply immediately in any Learning Management System (LMS).

Can Cui, Instructional Designer, Staff / Academic Success, Alamo Colleges District; Diana McCurtain-Talbert, Instructional Designer, Staff / Academic Success, Alamo Colleges District

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 2–2:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Community and Workforce Partnerships

Bell Schedules to Paychecks: High School, College, and Career through Dual Enrollment and Workforce Development

To close skills gaps and support regional economic growth, community colleges must strategically align programs with labor market needs. This session explores how to integrate dual enrollment pipelines and apprenticeship models with local workforce partnerships to build seamless education-to-career pathways. Attendees will learn how to strengthen employer collaborations, embed real-world experiences into curricula, and support high school students’ early exposure to in-demand careers. Practical frameworks and case studies will help institutions replicate successful strategies that benefit students, employers, and communities.

Shelby Akers, Doctoral Fellow, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, East Tennessee State University; Jill Channing, Associate Professor / Associate Director, Education, Leadership, English, East Tennessee State University

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 1–1:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Beyond the Bots: Smart AI Strategies for Modern Teaching

This hands-on session will explore innovative strategies to leverage AI, enhancing engagement and effectiveness across all modalities, including in-person, remote, and hybrid settings. We will cover five specific, powerful tools ready for immediate use: Google's Deep Research for enhanced content discovery, Google Notebook LM for organizing and synthesizing information, AudioPen for converting spoken ideas into refined text, Gamma AI for dynamic presentation creation, and a "new tool of the day" to surprise and inspire. Furthermore, we will demystify the technical side, walking participants through how to generate functional HTML/CSS/JS code for educational purposes, even without prior coding experience, making advanced digital tools accessible to all educators.

Beth Ritter-Guth, Associate Dean, Virtual Services, Northampton Community College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 3–3:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Beyond the Syllabus: Using Themed Success Guides to Boost Engagement, Organization, and Belonging

This session introduces the transformative practice of Weekly Success Guides: dynamic, student-centered roadmaps that replace static syllabi. We will explore how these guides, infused with motivational elements like emojis and themed titles, provide crucial organizational scaffolding and clear expectations. Grounded in Transparent Design principles, this strategy directly tackles the "hidden curriculum" that often hinders underprepared students, reducing anxiety and fostering self-efficacy. Attendees will learn to create their own guides, designed to build inclusive community and democratize success. You'll leave with a practical template and implementation strategies to immediately enhance engagement, reduce inequity, and create a more supportive and predictable learning journey for all students in any discipline.

Bettina Durant, Associate Professor, Speech Communication / Humanities / Journalism, Perimeter College-Georgia State University

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 12:30–1:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Breaking Bad (Data): Making Student Learning Outcome Data Work for Learning

This session offers insight into faculty perceptions of student learning and continual improvement processes related to institutional effectiveness initiatives at a two-year public postsecondary institution. Using data from faculty listening sessions, findings from a paired qualitative and activity systems analysis provide systemic implications for student learning data (Yamagata-Lynch, 2010). From this session, participants will explore their own strategies with student learning data and institutional processes and learn strategies to develop a model for engaging in scholarship of teaching and learning practices that showcases their pedagogical practices and improvements.

Andrea Arce-Trigatti, Faculty, Education / Curriculum and Instruction, Tennessee Tech; Aimee Klaschus, Analyst, Research and Business, Tallahassee State College

LIVE SESSION Equitable Opportunity and Outcomes

Bridging Noncredit and Credit: Collaborative Strategies for Faculty, Staff, and Administrators

During this session, we will explore how noncredit to credit pathways can enhance student success and institutional growth. We will examine the challenges that noncredit students face and the structural or policy-related barriers that prevent them from enrolling in credit courses.Participants will gain practical, evidence-based strategies for supporting noncredit students as they transition to credit-bearing programs. Through interactive activities, participants will collaborate to design specific strategies they can implement in their institutions to support noncredit students' transition.

Cristy Sugarman, Executive Director, Center for Alternative Studies and Educational Testing, North Shore Community College

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Building AI-Resistant Pedagogy: Community Strategies for Inclusive Assignment Design

As AI tools become more prevalent, this session proposes a value-driven pedagogical framework and three community strategies (Collaborative Inquiry, Authentic Engagement, Metacognition) to design assignments that prioritize human interaction and critical thinking. Participants will learn to minimize reliance on AI-generated outputs while bringing the "human in the loop" for inclusive and equitable learning. This approach fosters human capacities that resist automation, addressing over-reliance, skill erosion, equity gaps, and academic integrity concerns.

Stacy Ybarra, Adjunct Faculty, Student Development, San Antonio College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 10–10:50 a.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Success and Retention

Centering Student Voice: Transforming Dual Enrollment Advising for Better Outcomes

What if nearly half your student body were dual enrolled—and most came from underserved backgrounds? At Lee College, that’s reality. In 2024–2025, 3,821 dual enrollment students made up almost 40% of total enrollment. With 54% Hispanic, 8% Black/African American, and 65% qualifying for free or reduced lunch, success required more than business as usual. Using the Dual Enrollment Survey of Student Engagement (DESSE), the college gained vital insights into how students experience academics and support services. These findings shaped a proactive, equity-centered advising model built for scale and student voice. Over four semesters, Lee College closed gaps in persistence and credential attainment, proving that data-informed, equity-driven advising can transform student outcomes.

Anthony Perez, Program Manager, DESSE, CCCSE, UT Austin; Jordan Salazar, Director, Dual Credit Programs, Transfer and Educational Partnerships, Lee College

LIVE SESSION Student Success and Retention

Click to Connect: Creating Community in Online Classrooms

Fostering a sense of community is crucial for student engagement, motivation, and success, but can be more challenging in a virtual environment. This interactive session provides practical ways to create an inclusive and supportive space for students to engage with course content, the instructor, and each other. While focusing on an online environment, these strategies are relevant to any instructor, content-area, and course modality. By the end of the session, participants will walk away with concrete ideas and examples for transforming their course from content delivery to a vibrant, connected community.

Courtenay Jauregui, Professor, Education, Collin College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 2–2:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Decentered Learning for Student Success in Two-Year College Study Abroad Programs

Participating in study abroad at the two-year college level is ideal for completing core requirements while developing intercultural communication skills and global perspectives that serve as critical foundations for degree completion and workforce readiness. Study abroad is the ideal setting for moving beyond student centered learning to decentered learning in which further evolving instructor roles make way for greater empowerment of students for their learning. This session is led by two senior faculty with significant experience across multiple international education contexts, including study abroad program development, teaching English as a Second Language, and infusing global content into the curriculum.

Colleen Ijuin, Associate Professor, Communication, Perimeter College-Georgia State University; Eric Kendrick, Associate Professor, English, Perimeter College-Georgia State University

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 2–2:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Designing a Scalable Online/Hybrid Teaching Pipeline: From LMS Basics to Course Excellence

How can institutions ensure quality, consistency in course structure, and engagement in online and hybrid instruction at scale? This session introduces a three-phase faculty development pipeline beginning with foundational LMS training and culminating in an institutional award for exemplary course design. Built to align with state standards, institutional goals, and instructional design best practices, this model offers a scalable approach to improving course quality and supporting online course approval processes. Participants will explore how differentiated, progressive training empowers faculty across disciplines while meeting both compliance and pedagogical goals. Attendees will leave with a planning template and practical steps to build or enhance a similar pipeline on their own campus.

Amanda Richardson, Director, Learning and Development, Tyler Junior College; Jessica White, Instructional Designer, Learning and Development, Tyler Junior College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 3–3:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Equitable Opportunity and Outcomes

Designing Inclusive Asynchronous Online Learning Through Teaching and Learning Style Alignment

Aligning diverse teaching styles (e.g., expert, formal authority, personal model, facilitator, delegator; Grasha, 1994) with varied learning styles (e.g., visual, auditory, read/write, kinesthetic) plays a critical role in fostering equitable and inclusive learning environments. Grounded in Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, this presentation highlights best practices for designing accessible online instructional materials and engaging learning activities for culturally, linguistically, and ability-diverse learners. Participants will engage in interactive discussions and leave with practical strategies and real-world examples created using emerging technology tools (e.g., Piktochart, Podbean, Screencast-O-Matic, Pixton) that promote multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement to support diverse learning needs in asynchronous online environments.

Cheun-Yeong Lee, Assistant Professor, Education and Leadership, Governors State University; Li-Wei Peng, Full Professor, Education and Leadership, Governors State University

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Services, Support, and Well-Being

Empowering Community College Faculty and Staff to Support Student Mental Health Through Mental Health First

Community college students face high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide risk, yet faculty and staff often feel unprepared to respond. This session presents statewide findings from a quantitative study examining the impact of Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training on community college affiliates’ mental health knowledge, beliefs, and confidence. Participants will learn what MHFA is, how it works, and practical strategies to integrate it into professional development, onboarding, and student leadership programs. Emphasis will be on creating sustainable, college-wide approaches that reduce stigma, strengthen early intervention, and promote a culture of mental health awareness and support, helping students persist and thrive while empowering faculty and staff as confident first responders.

Jane Chappell, Doctoral Candidate, Community College Leadership, Morgan State University; Christine Harrington, Professor, Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy, Morgan State University

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 3–3:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Empowering First-Year Success: An AI Integration Blueprint for Engagement, Learning, and Course Design

This session showcases a multidisciplinary redesigned First Year Experience (FYE) course for MDC Online that integrates AI tools such as Copilot and Packback to enhance student engagement, learning, and retention. Grounded in Bloom’s Taxonomy, the course encourages students to move beyond basic understanding and application toward analyzing, evaluating, and creating. The presenter will share how AI tools support both students and faculty in instructional design. Participants will explore ethical considerations, sample assignments, and student feedback from a recent pilot. Interactive demonstrations and collaborative discussions will help attendees envision how AI can be meaningfully incorporated into their own teaching practices. Ideal for faculty and instructional designers seeking innovative, evidence-based strategies to support first-year students in online or hybrid environments.

Vellisse Pagan Grimes, Professor, Psychology / Student Life Skills, Miami Dade College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 1–1:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Establishing a Professional Learning Community at Central Carolina Technical College

Professional development opportunities can be useful tools for faculty on their academic journey, but some of the traditional workshop models used can be ineffective. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) provide faculty new opportunities to collaborate and reflect on teaching practices, in an effort to enhance student learning and improve upon their own self-efficacy. This session will provide a brief insight into the establishment and continuous improvement of a PLC at a small community college in rural South Carolina. Participants will leave the session with a new appreciation for PLCs, and some tips and tricks to use at their own institutions.

Erin Bloom, Coordinator, Academic Training, Central Carolina Technical College

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Extension Without Penalty: Follow-up Study and Results

We will go over the Extension Without Penalty framework, methodology, and results from a study announced in the previous NISOD conference and expand on the application and importance of EWP for student success, academic rigor, and improved DFW rates.

Nickolas Baskins, Lecturer, Communication, Perimeter College-Georgia State University

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 3–3:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Faculty Professional Development: Surprising Trends and Lessons

Houston Community College’s Faculty Academy offers faculty-created, faculty-led professional development, including workshops, showcases, and Colleague Connection Groups. After operating for three years, we have learned some unexpected lessons about popular timing, trends, and topics for faculty professional development. What are the most popular months for participation? Which departments participate the most (or the least)? Which book club selections had the most interest? You think you know…but it’s not what you think. Finally, participants will analyze the strengths and challenges of the Faculty Academy model to determine how it might work or be adapted for their institution.

Laura Ayers, Faculty Academy Director, Anthropology, Houston Community College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 1–1:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Success and Retention

From Classroom to Career: Experiential Learning Strategies to Boost Student Success and Confidence

Community and technical college students thrive when given opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. This session explores practical, adaptable approaches to experiential learning that strengthen student engagement, confidence, and career readiness. Drawing from leadership programs, student clubs, and cross-campus initiatives, participants will discover how to design activities that develop transferable skills while fostering a strong sense of belonging. Faculty and staff will leave with actionable strategies to create opportunities that build student networks, enhance professional preparation, and improve persistence. Participants will also reflect on how experiential learning opportunities—whether small-scale projects or larger events—can be scaled to fit their own teaching and institutional contexts.

Kandace Foreman, Assistant Professor, Business, College of Southern Maryland

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 2:30–3:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

From Interdepartmental to Cross Campus Collaboration: Scaling High Impact Practices Through Collaborative Social Science Expos

In an era of increasing demand for experiential learning, how can social and Health science educators go beyond traditional lectures to foster deeper student engagement and skill development? This session will showcase a five-year initiative at a community college that successfully integrated two high-impact practices: a social science video contest and a regular "social science hour."

Melissa Mesman, Associate Professor, Health Sciences / Allied Health, Seminole State College of Florida; Modupe Soremi, Professor, Economics / Social Sciences, Seminole State College of Florida

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 3:30–4:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Success and Retention

From Rapids to Confluence: Tools to Transform Tension into Trust in Academic Leadership

In higher education, particularly in community and technical colleges, leaders and faculty often face complex challenges that create tension—between departments, with students, and across stakeholder groups. When navigated with skill, these moments become opportunities to foster trust, collaboration, and innovation. In this session, Denise Blanc, Founder & CEO of River Logic Partners and ICF Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach, introduces her RiverLogic framework for turning resistance into momentum and conflict into connection. Participants will gain tools in emotional intelligence, radical listening, and self-awareness to strengthen relationships and improve communication in ways that directly impact student success and retention. Attendees will leave with strategies they can apply immediately to lead with both heart and backbone in their institutions.

Denise Blanc, Founder / CEO / Executive Coach, Leadership Development / Organizational Communication, Independent Professional Speaker

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 12–12:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Services, Support, and Well-Being

From Silos to Synergy: Aligning Academics and Student Services

This presentation explores key strategies for successful dual credit programs, emphasizing collaboration between academic and student success teams. Designed for community and technical college practitioners, it highlights best practices such as joint curriculum planning, integrated support services, early alert systems, and equity-focused outreach. The goal is to foster a unified approach that enhances student achievement, persistence, and college readiness.

Rebecca Alejos, Certified Advisor, High School Programs Advising, Northeast Lakeview College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 12–12:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Gamified and AI-Powered Course Design to Improve Business Law Engagement and Exam Performance

This session explores two AI-enhanced teaching strategies used in a Business Law course: a “Trivial Pursuit”-style review game and a dual-pathway course model personalized by pre-test results. Generative AI tools helped create LMS-importable activities, adaptive learning paths, and printable trivia cards. Students on different paths engaged with learning activities targeting either foundational concepts or higher-order analysis, all aligned with Bloom’s Taxonomy. Exam scores from treatment and control groups suggest improved performance and higher pass rates in sections using these strategies. Attendees will learn how to adapt AI tools for gamification, build differentiated learning paths, and measure their classroom impact.

Tim Faith, Professor, Legal Studies, Community College of Baltimore County

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 1–1:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Homerun Engagement Featuring AI Strategies!

Today’s students thrive when learning is active, personalized, and engaging—yet educators often feel overwhelmed by AI. This session showcases practical, creative strategies for using AI to boost classroom engagement and simplify teaching. Featured tools include Brisk, with its “Boost Student Activity” feature that supports openers, interactive discussions, and exit tickets; Canva AI, which turns reviews into dynamic, game-like experiences; NotebookLM, which transforms class resources into authentic, student-voiced podcasts; and Suno, which creates custom music to connect content with student interests. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas for saving time, increasing interaction, and enhancing learning outcomes through student-centered AI practices.

Todd Stabenow, Assistant Professor, Business, Hawkeye Community College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 2–2:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

How to Develop a New Course Over Your Summer Break

Summer break is often seen as a time for faculty to rest and recharge before the fall semester. Yet, in today’s fast-paced academic environment, we are sometimes called on ambitious projects—like developing a brand-new course—within a limited timeframe. In this session, we will share practical strategies and lessons learned from designing ECON 1101: Economics of Financial Literacy during a single summer. We will highlight how project management principles ensured timely completion, how adopting open educational resources (OER) lowered student costs, and how AI-supported assignment development enriched student learning and engagement.

Arathi Sharada Balagangadharan, Instructor, Economics, Perimeter College-Georgia State University; Leah Edwards, Instructor, Economics, Perimeter College-Georgia State University; Walter Johnson, Instructor, Economics, Perimeter College-Georgia State University; Fan Wang, Assistant Professor, Economics / Clinical, Perimeter College-Georgia State University

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 2:30–3:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

I, Pencil. You, Prompt: Teaching Writing When the Tools Talk Back

What happens when the tools start talking? This session explores how generative AI has transformed the writing process—from static pencil to dynamic collaborator. Drawing on composition theory and real classroom experiences, we’ll examine how writing instructors can leverage AI tools to teach rhetorical awareness, revision, authorship, and critical inquiry. Participants will leave with sample assignments and discussion prompts that frame AI not as shortcut or scourge, but as a mirror—reflecting how students think, write, and engage with language.

Jill Channing, Associate Professor, Education, Leadership, English, East Tennessee State University

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 12–12:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Success and Retention

If Students Don’t Learn Our Way, We Must Teach Their Way: Strategies for Success and Retention

Student retention and success in higher education increasingly depend on the alignment of instructional methods with diverse student learning needs. This workshop proposes a faculty development model designed to equip instructors with strategies for recognizing and responding to diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and nontraditional learning pathways. Through a combination of classroom simulations, teaching demonstrations, and structured student feedback loops, participants will learn to modify and diversify instructional practices to better support student engagement, persistence, and completion. The session will provide actionable tools and evidence-based techniques that faculty can implement immediately in their classrooms to promote equity and retention.

Vannetta Gainer, Associate Professor, Mathematics, Perimeter College-Georgia State University

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 12:30–1:20 p.m. Central Time

GENERAL SESSION Community and Workforce Partnerships

Innovative Pathways to Leadership: Secret Recipes for Success

Dr. Anton Reece launched his first book, “Innovative Strategies to Leadership: Secret Recipes for Success” earlier this year. This book captures Dr. Reece’s leadership journey and ten essential metaphorical ingredients he utilized and incorporated to embrace and prepare for leadership challenges, setbacks, resilience, and moments of success. The core audience of the book is emerging college students, new leaders, and seasoned leaders seeking leadership opportunities. In this presentation, Dr. Reece will share insights related to his ten recipes of success: 1) Fundamentally sound in the basics 2) Self-Organization 3) Communication Skills 4) Know your Triggers 5) Handling Criticism 6) Emotional Intelligence 7) Humility and Empathy 8) “Reading the Room” 9) Navigating Internal and External Politics 10) Mental and Physical Wellness.

Anton Reece, President, Administration, West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 10:30–11:20 a.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Launching a Collaborative New Faculty Experience for Lasting Success

This session will showcase how a cross-departmental partnership—between Human Resources, Distance Education, Student Affairs, and Faculty Development—was used to design and implement a comprehensive New Faculty Experience program at Austin Community College. The program begins with Human Resources Orientation, continues with Faculty Development’s New Faculty Bootcamp on inclusive teaching strategies, incorporates online learning best practices from our Distance Education Office, and sustains engagement through ongoing monthly Faculty Talent Onboarding Sessions. Faculty now have flexible options to participate in-person, synchronously online on Saturday or weekday evenings, or fully asynchronously—choices that especially support adjunct faculty. Together, these elements ensure new faculty are supported during their critical first semester. Participants will learn how collaborative design fosters community, introduces institutional culture, and connects faculty to resources that promote retention.

Chelsea Biggerstaff, Manager, Faculty Development, Austin Community College; Theresa Glenn, Dean, Faculty Development & Evaluation, Austin Community College

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 2:30–3:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Services, Support, and Well-Being

Leading Through Loss: Resilience and Leadership in Higher Education

This session explores emotional resilience and post-traumatic growth for faculty and staff in high-stress educational environments. Educators are carrying invisible burdens—burnout, grief, and disruption—and often lack support to process these challenges. Debi Lynn presents a grief-informed leadership model tailored to the realities of community and technical colleges. Participants will gain practical tools for sustaining themselves and their teams, preventing burnout, and leading with empathy. This session blends strategic leadership insights with emotional wellness practices, ensuring attendees walk away equipped to protect both their well-being and professional impact.

Debi Lynn, Business Resilience Strategist / Certified Grief Educator, Leadership Development / Faculty Wellness, Heart Led Awakening

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 1–1:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Equitable Opportunity and Outcomes

LGBTQ+ Community College Students’ Perceptions of Belonging: Safety through Identity Validation and Visibility

Using Strayhorn’s model of college students’ sense of belonging as a conceptual framework, a recent anti-deficit qualitative study was conducted in Texas to explore community college faculty, staff, and LGBTQ+ students’ perceptions of the campus influences that contribute positively to LGBTQ+ students’ sense of belonging. Of specific interest in this study was how LGBTQ+ students perceived their sense of belonging affected overall well-being and success as a student. This session will (1) provide an overview of the study findings, (2) present recommendations for supporting LGBTQ+ students’ belonging through identity validation and visibility, and (3) open a discussion for higher education practitioners to reflect together on the implications of this research as related to their own work.

Christine Hall, Regional Director, Admissions & Enrollment, Austin Community College

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 12:30–1:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Success and Retention

Managing Dual Enrollment Success: Data, Compliance, and Communication Strategies

Dual enrollment is expanding rapidly, with some community colleges reporting 60–70% of their student body enrolled while still in high school. This growth boosts institutional metrics and funding, but also creates new challenges in compliance, communication, and student support. In some states, like North Carolina, there are additional requirements of notifying parents and guardians of minors about academic performance issues, making data management even more complex. This session explores how colleges can integrate learning data to track dual enrollment participation, flag minors, and automate updates for advisors, parents, and partner schools. Attendees will learn practical strategies to streamline reporting, support student success, and strengthen relationships with high schools while meeting policy requirements.

Becky Keith, CEO, Intelliboard; Elizabeth Simpson, Senior Manager, Implementation, Intelliboard

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Mindful Scaffolding for Workforce Readiness: Preparing Students With Critical Literacies and Transferable Skills

Postsecondary institutions are on the frontlines of preparing students for the workforce, yet many learners struggle to connect academic coursework with employable skills. This session introduces Mindful Scaffolding, a framework designed to help faculty intentionally integrate 21st-century competencies into course design. Participants will explore strategies for aligning course activities with workforce readiness skills such as problem solving, collaboration, communication, and digital literacy. Through practical examples and scaffolded assignments, this session demonstrates how faculty can foster equitable learning environments while simultaneously preparing students for professional success. Attendees will leave with concrete techniques to bridge the gap between classroom learning and career readiness, equipping students to thrive in both their studies and their future careers.

Crystal Donlan, Instructional Designer / Faculty / Doctoral Candidate, World Campus Learning Design / Education, Penn State University

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Mixing It Up: Exploring Dynamic Delivery Formats for Faculty Development

In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, faculty development needs to be as flexible and innovative as the learning environments we create for our students. This engaging and interactive session will explore various formats and modalities for delivering professional development to faculty, ranging from traditional workshops to online modules, microlearning, hybrid sessions, and beyond. Join us as we mix things up to find the perfect blend!Whether you’re a faculty member seeking new ways to engage with professional development, an instructional designer crafting effective training, or an administrator aiming to foster a culture of continuous improvement, this session is designed to give you fresh ideas for supporting your faculty’s growth and success.

Matthew Evins, Director, Academic Technology, Austin Community College; Sara Schulz, Manager, Academic Technology Projects, Austin Community College

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 3:30–4:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Navigating Communication Styles for Deeper Connections

Join us for a transformative workshop where you'll delve into the fascinating world of communication styles. Discover the power of self-awareness as you identify your unique communication style among the four styles. Learn practical strategies to decipher the styles of coworkers and students, paving the way for more meaningful connections. By understanding and adapting to others' preferences, you'll cultivate deeper, more harmonious relationships, both personally and professionally. This workshop isn't just about recognizing differences, though; it's about leveraging them to create a tapestry of understanding. Uncover the keys to effective communication and building bridges between diverse communication styles. Walk away with tools to enhance your interactions and promote collaboration through authentic connections. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your communication skills and transform your relationships!

Theresa Glenn, Dean / Professor, Communication Studies, Austin Community College

LIVE SESSION Community and Workforce Partnerships

New Age Community & Workforce Partnerships in Public Service

New Age Community & Workforce Partnerships in Public Service is a call to action to teachers and learners to become more tech savvy. As of 2024, the world has over 3.5 million unfilled Cybersecurity jobs. The cyber-skills and talent shortage continues to widen at an alarming rate. – Half of the smallest organizations say they either do not have or are unsure as to whether they have the skills they need to meet their cyber objectives. – Only 15% of all organizations are optimistic that cyber skills and education will significantly improve in the next two years. – 52% of public organizations state that a lack of resources and skills is their biggest challenge when designing cyber resilience. Community and workforce partnerships can be impactful.

Deborah Le Blanc, Professor, Public Administration, National University

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 3:30–4:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Revising with AI: Teaching Ethical and Effective Use of Writing Assistants

This session explores how AI writing assistants can be integrated into the revision process to improve student writing while preserving student voice. Using a classroom project where students revised research essays with the Hemingway Editor, participants will see both quantitative outcomes and qualitative reflections that highlight opportunities and challenges. Survey results reveal student concerns—such as oversimplification, loss of voice, or fear of “cheating”—alongside positive findings, including increased clarity, conciseness, and confidence. The session offers practical strategies for introducing AI as an assistive rather than generative tool, emphasizing transparency, choice, and reflection. Attendees will receive digital templates of assignments, surveys, and reflection prompts, and will engage in interactive discussion to adapt them to their own contexts.

Sara Welshimer, Assistant Professor, English, Amarillo College

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. Central Time

GENERAL SESSION Student Services, Support, and Well-Being

Sense of Belonging and Caring Campus

Hear Dr. Brad Phillips facilitate a discussion with presidents on cultivating student belonging and creating a caring campus.

Brad Phillips, Founder, CEO, Institute for Evidence-Based Change

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 11–11:50 a.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Small Steps, Big Gains: Helping Students Learn with Chunking and Scaffolding

Today’s college students face high levels of distraction, anxiety, and cognitive overload, making it harder to engage with complex academic content. As instructors, we must adapt our teaching to support learning without lowering expectations. This session explores how chunking and scaffolding—two evidence-based strategies—can help students process information more effectively, build confidence, and stay engaged.

Laura Hutton, Associate Professor, Teacher Education, Harford Community College

LIVE SESSION Student Services, Support, and Well-Being

Student Navigators: Connecting Students to Resources, Retention, and Results

This session explores how Student Navigator roles can transform outcomes for adult and first-generation learners by providing high-touch, wraparound support from enrollment to program completion. Positioned at the intersection of career coaching, academic advising, and resource navigation, Student Navigators address barriers that often derail persistence. Drawing on examples from multiple programs, attendees will learn practical strategies to design, advocate for, and integrate this role into their contexts. The discussion will also address sustainability through funding strategies, cross-departmental partnerships, and metrics for measuring success, offering a replicable model that improves retention, equity, and career readiness.

Melvin Smith, Adjunct Professor, STEM-B, Seattle Central College

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 1:30–2:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Student Voices Driving Change: Embedding Workplace Skills into Assignments

Students consistently recognize that soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability are essential for future career success, yet many feel unprepared to apply them. Drawing on survey data from biology students and inspired by a faculty newsletter article, this session centers on student voices to identify gaps in workplace readiness. Participants will leave with practical strategies, a customizable faculty action plan worksheet, and concrete examples of how to adapt existing assignments to embed workplace skills into their courses.

Marisol de Jesus Berrios, Professor, Biological Sciences, Seminole State College of Florida

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 10–10:50 a.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Success and Retention

Teaching, Not Just Tracking: Meaningful Strategies for Regular & Substantive Interaction (RSI)

Regular and Substantive Interaction is more than a compliance checkbox—it’s essential to effective, engaging online teaching. But what does it look like in practice? And how can faculty meet accreditor expectations without increasing their workload? In this hands-on session, we’ll demystify RSI and explore practical strategies for embedding meaningful, instructor-initiated interactions into any online course. We’ll show how thoughtful communication strategies can satisfy RSI requirements, boost instructor presence, and strengthen connections with students—all without adding extra hours to your schedule. Participants will learn how to translate federal definitions into impactful teaching practices, design or revise course elements to support RSI, and use LMS tools to automate and personalize key interactions that promote student success, belonging, and retention.

Jennifer Duncan, Associate Professor of English, English, Perimeter College-Georgia State University; Andrea Hendricks, Senior Director, Online Initiatives, Perimeter College-Georgia State University; Kelly Shobe, Associate Professor, Kinesiology and Health, Perimeter College-Georgia State University

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 2:30–3:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Success and Retention

The Great Disengagement: Why They Stop Showing Up (and What You Can Do About It)

From ghosting classes to disengaging mid-semester, students across the country are silently slipping away. In this session, we'll explore the underlying causes of "The Great Disengagement"—from burnout and financial strain to mental health and a lack of connection—and what faculty and staff can do to help students reconnect before they disappear. We'll unpack data and authentic student voices to identify early warning signs, rethink classroom and advising strategies, and share creative, doable solutions that increase connection, belonging, and motivation. Whether you're a faculty member, advisor, or campus leader, you'll walk away with tools to re-engage your students before they check out—for good.

Tranell E Barton, Counselor / Academic Coordinator, Veterans Upward Bound, Delgado Community College

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 1:30–2:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Community and Workforce Partnerships

The Rise of Short-Term Credentials & Micro-Credentials

As community and technical colleges adapt to changing learner demands and workforce expectations, short-term credentials and micro-credentials are emerging as powerful tools. This session explores how these stackable, career-focused pathways can attract both traditional students and adult learners seeking quick, practical returns on investment. We’ll discuss innovative advising models, industry-aligned program development, and the importance of building employer partnerships to ensure stackability and marketability. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies to implement or refine credentialing efforts at their institutions.

Shelby Akers, Doctoral Fellow, Education / Leadership, East Tennessee State University; Jill Channing, Associate Professor / Associate Director, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, East Tennessee State University

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 2:30–3:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Community and Workforce Partnerships

Unlocking Opportunities: Community College Credential Alignment with Training for Correctional Officers

This session highlights an innovative partnership between a community college and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to provide workforce-aligned college credentials for training completed by the correctional officers. Designed to meet both agency needs and workforce demands, this initiative leverages continuing education and college credentials to maintain and retain sustainable pipelines for continuous development. The presenters will share the partnership model, implementation process, and lessons learned in aligning educational coursework with corrections training.

Jarod Bleibdrey, Dean of Career and Technical Education, Career and Technical Education, Coastal Bend College; Braden Reed, Director of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, Continuing Education, Coastal Bend College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 2–2:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

Using MyOpenMath to Improve Retention and Student Success in Introductory Physics Courses

This session focuses on leveraging openly licensed materials (OER) from MyOpenMath to improve retention and student success in introductory physics. Built by and for community college faculty, MyOpenMath offers a wealth of robust, freely available tools specifically designed to enhance student learning in STEM. Attendees will learn proven strategies for using these resources to boost student engagement and comprehension. We will also provide a clear, step-by-step demonstration of how to easily get started with the platform, offering a practical blueprint for incorporating these valuable tools into your own courses.

Taha Mzoughi, Associate Professor, Physical Sciences, Perimeter College-Georgia State University

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 3:30–4:20 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Student Services, Support, and Well-Being

Using the WellBQ Questionnaire to Determine Well-Being

The free NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (NIOSH WellBQ) provides a comprehensive assessment of worker well-being across multiple categories, including quality of life while at work and outside of work, and physical and mental health status. One college used this free tool to measure well-being post pandemic.

Kim Uddo, Professor, Nursing, Delgado Community College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 12–12:50 p.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION

Welcome Session

Welcome to the 2025 NISOD Virtual Conference.

Linda Garcia, Executive Director, CCCSE

Schedule: Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 10–10:30 a.m. Central Time

LIVE SESSION Teaching and Learning

What’s Going on Behind the Screens? Exploring Student Emotions and Perceptions of AI in Education

As generative AI tools become more common, questions arise about how college students perceive and experience these tools in their learning. This session presents early insights from a grounded approach that explores students' emotions and interpretations related to AI use in their coursework. Based on focus group data with fourth-year students in a hospitality degree program, the session highlights the importance of understanding student voice in shaping pedagogical practice. Rather than offering prescriptions, this session invites participants to reflect on how student perspectives, especially emotional and perceptual ones, can inform more thoughtful, inclusive, and responsive approaches to teaching with AI. Attendees will engage with authentic student quotes and consider how meaning-making affects learning in technology-enhanced environments.

Zainub Ibrahim, Professor, Hospitality and Tourism, Algonquin College; James Waller, Professor, Hospitality and Tourism, Algonquin College

Schedule: Thursday, 10/23/2025, 10–10:50 a.m. Central Time