Conference Sessions

In this keynote, Victoria Roos Olsson presents a FranklinCovey perspective on change:

When we recognize that change follows a predictable pattern, we can learn to manage our reactions and understand how to navigate change, both functionally and emotionally. This allows us to consciously determine how to best move forward—even in the most challenging stages. Managing Self Through the Emotional Rollercoaster of Change: How to Turn Uncertainty Into Opportunity helps individuals and leaders learn how to successfully navigate any workplace change to improve results.

Join Brett D. Jones, Ph.D. in an inspiring keynote:

When learners are fully engaged, they are more likely to achieve more and perform better. Researchers have discovered five broad categories of strategies that can be used to create a positive motivational climate in educational environments. The purpose of this keynote is to explore those categories and to provide specific strategies that trainers can use to engage learners.

'Collaboration' is a word that is perhaps over-used these days, and perhaps even more often under-understood. In this highly interactive session, we'll explore a definition of Collaboration that encourages stretching our thinking to include leveraging diverse perspectives to co-create innovative approaches to complex, WICKED problems, often with unknown variables. This session will also include a very active, competitive team problem-solving challenge, enabling participants to put their collaborative problem-solving skills to use. We'll close with a brief TEDTalk video examining the value of design thinking in complex, collaborative problem-solving and talk about these implications.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Embrace a definition for 'Collaboration' that focuses on intentionally diverse, creative work in ambiguous, complex scenarios
• Challenges and opportunities in putting team collaborative problem-solving skills into practice (team challenge exercise)
• Explore the advantages of design thinking in collaborative problem-solving approaches

Presenter: Amy Hogan

This presentation focuses on empowering the Virginia Tech community with the knowledge and tools to navigate and report physical accessibility challenges on campus, fostering an inclusive environment and proactive culture. By understanding what will constitute an accessibility barrier, attendees will be better prepared to recognize and articulate these issues when they encounter them. Learn about the comprehensive framework for reporting accessibility concerns, emphasizing the importance of timely and accurate reporting in fostering a responsive and inclusive campus environment. The goal is to demystify the reporting process, making it more accessible and less daunting for everyone. Furthermore, this presentation highlights the collaborative efforts and success stories from the efforts of the campus community, ADA architects, and facilities management to address and remediate reported issues.

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

1. Identify and Understand Accessibility Barriers: Participants will learn to identify various physical barriers to accessibility on campus, including but not limited to obstructed pathways, inadequate signage, and inaccessible building entrances. They will understand the criteria that constitute a barrier under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enabling them to recognize and articulate these issues effectively when encountered.
2. Utilize Reporting Channels: Attendees will be equipped with the knowledge to navigate the comprehensive framework for reporting accessibility concerns at Virginia Tech. They will learn about the different channels and tools available for reporting, such as mobile apps, online platforms, and direct communication methods, ensuring they feel confident and capable of reporting issues in a timely and accurate manner.
3. Foster Collaborative Solutions for Accessibility Challenges: Participants will gain insights into the importance of collaborative efforts between the campus community, ADA architects, and facilities management in addressing and remediating reported accessibility issues. Through success stories and case studies, attendees will understand the positive impact of community engagement on campus accessibility and will be motivated to contribute to creating a more inclusive environment at Virginia Tech.
   

Presenter: Joseph Cooley

At the heart of the PDN experience lies a vibrant PDN peer network, ready to support and collaborate with you on your professional journey. Learn how to leverage this invaluable community of fellow educators and researchers to exchange ideas, insights, and best practices, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Whether you're navigating face-to-face, online, or hybrid learning environments, PDN design support offers versatile solutions to meet your diverse needs. From workshops and seminars to webinars and beyond, explore the myriad ways PDN can enhance your professional development initiatives through emerging technologies, empowering you to unlock your full potential as an educator and scholar.

Don't miss this opportunity to harness the power of PDN Network and take your professional development to new heights. Join us as we embark on a transformative journey of collaboration, innovation, and growth within the vibrant PDN Network at Virginia Tech!

During this session, participants will:

• Design effective professional development utilizing tools and resources in the Professional Development Network platform
• Engage with peers and others developing professional development
• Develop an awareness of the people, tools, and approaches supported in the PDN platform.

Presenters: Marc Zaldivar, Nikki Edwards, and Natalie Belew

Virginia Tech Career and Professional Development (CPD) has spent the last several years creating innovative ways to support the university’s QEP focused on increasing access to experiential learning opportunities for students. In this session, we will discuss the portfolio of programs offered by Virginia Tech CPD, our on-campus internship program, the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, and how we are utilizing the skills and experiences of faculty and staff on-campus to support this work. You will walk away from this session with a better understanding of how CPD is engaging students, faculty, and staff through experiential learning.

By the end of this session, participants will have:

• A better understanding of the Experiential Learning programs that are offered by CPD
• Knowledge of how CPD's programs support DEIB initiatives
• An awareness of how CPD is utilizing the experiences of faculty and staff on campus to engage students in Experiential Learning.

Presenters: Julia Ward and Cody Smith

More than half of U.S. students, 53 percent, which were around 70 million, took at least one online course in the 2022–23 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, 2024). Providing quality online learning experience requires ensuring cognitive accessibility in online courses so that diverse learners can have equitable access and opportunities. Cognitive accessibility is defined as digital services “that are simple, consistent, clear, multimodal, error-tolerant, and attention-focusing to use, taking into account all users including those with cognitive and learning disabilities”(Kärpänen, 2021).

Designing accessible courses supports diverse learners and benefits everyone in modern learning environments. Based on scientific insights into how humans learn, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework is used to proactively guide the intentional design process to remove barriers in the curriculum design, which improves and optimizes teaching and learning for diverse learners (CAST, 2018).

Emerging Generative AI tools show potential to help faculty create accessible content for their courses. Utilizing UDL principles, we explore how to use Generative AI to address cognitive accessibility and design accessible courses. Accessible educational materials include making class/lecture notes and slides; assignments, tests, and quizzes; recorded or streaming lectures accessible, etc. (Gierdowski & Galanek, 2020). The purpose of this session is to support faculty and graduate teaching assistants on how to create accessible educational materials and how to build an inclusive and accessible learning environment using AI tools. Specifically, we will explore AI tools in accessible course design for course planning, course management, and content creation (lesson plans, syllabuses, learning activities, and assessment).

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe Universal Design for Learning principles
• Create accessible educational materials using AI tools
• Build an inclusive and accessible learning environment using AI tools.

Presenters: Jingrong Pearl Xie, Daron Williams, Donna Fortune, and Kelli Karcher

Building on the keynote and designed for individual contributors, this program equips participants with the essential skills to thrive amidst workplace transformations. By understanding the predictable patterns of change, attendees learn to manage their reactions and embrace uncertainty as a pathway to personal and professional development. Through practical strategies and emotional resilience techniques, individuals gain the confidence to navigate transitions effectively, contributing to a culture of adaptability and innovation within their teams.

Presenter: Victoria Roos Olsson

Building on the keynote, and tailored for leaders, this program provides comprehensive guidance on leading teams through dynamic shifts within the workplace. By mastering the predictable patterns of change, leaders gain insight into managing both the functional and emotional aspects of transitions. Through strategic planning, effective communication, and fostering a culture of resilience, participants learn to transform uncertainty into opportunity, driving organizational success even in the face of the most challenging stages of change.

Presenter: Victoria Roos Olsson

When looking to address performance gaps, the first, and typically only, choice is always to create training. However, lack of knowledge is not always the issue. Addressing performance gaps requires more than just a one-size-fits-all training solution.

This interactive session provides a process to address performance gaps by truly determining the cause, with the understanding that training is not always the answer. We'll explore the multitude of factors that can impact performance in a less-than-ideal way, from tools and technology to organizational culture and structure. Through thought-provoking discussions and hands-on activities, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how to diagnose performance gaps with precision and develop tailored solutions that address the underlying issues head-on. Discover how to conduct thorough analyses to identify the true root causes of performance issues, ensuring that your interventions are targeted and effective.

Upon completion, participants will learn how to analyze performance problems and brainstorm solutions (which may or may not include training). Join us as we harness the power of strategic training design to drive meaningful change and elevate performance to new heights!

Presenter: Larry Cox

Are you tired of fumbling through your training? Is it fourth down and there are no more plays in your playbook?

Join us for an action-packed session of strategies and techniques you can implement in your next training! In this session, we will reflect on current engagement practices you use and share ways to implement strategies to engage your learners for both in person and online learning modalities. You will also explore and practice ways to foster connections among your audience. Fill your playbook with the key plays to make any networking or learning session fun, interactive, and meaningful.

Upon completion, participants will:

• Learn engaging strategies for professional development and networking that can be utilized during both in-person and online training.
  
• Reflect on their current engagement practices and walk away with strategies and ideas to implement.
• Explore ways to foster connections among their audience.

Presenters: Kelsey Huffman and Alyson Bryson

Join us for an enriching workshop delving into the profound realms of leadership and humility! Led by an experienced scholar with a passion for unlocking the secrets of the leader's 'inner life,' this session promises to be both enlightening and transformative. Throughout our time together, we will embark on a journey through the historical evolution of humility as a cornerstone of virtuous leadership. From ancient philosophies to modern-day paradigms, we'll explore how humility shapes the very essence of effective leadership. Our exploration extends beyond theory to the practical realm, as we uncover the intricate connections between humility and the leader's 'inner life.' Through insightful discussions and engaging activities, we'll illuminate the pathways to personal growth and self-awareness essential for impactful leadership. Drawing from a wealth of research, we'll uncover the tangible benefits of humility in fostering meaningful interpersonal relationships and tackling wicked problems. Discover how this often-overlooked virtue can serve as a powerful tool for navigating the turbulent waters of leadership with grace and authenticity.

Guided by the wisdom of acclaimed author Parker Palmer and bolstered by our facilitator's own groundbreaking research, we'll examine the 'shadows' that obscure the leader's ability to inspire and empower others, in other words, prevent leaders from 'casting light' onto others. Together, we'll illuminate these obstacles and chart a course toward a brighter, more holistic and enlightened form of leadership. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of humility and cultivate the skills needed to enhance your own 'inner life' as a leader.

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

1. Define and describe humility as a leadership virtue.
   
2. Discuss humility as it relates to 'leading from within'.
3. Discuss ways to develop humility for effective leadership.

Presenter: Austin Council

Time in the work week can be consumed by meetings; some are beneficial or helpful and many are not. So, how do we change our workplace culture and practice to improve the productivity of meetings? During this workshop, participants will learn about some data and some insights on the impact of productive meetings. Participants will also work with small groups to review various strategies for improving meeting productivity. The session will conclude with recommendations from participants on productive strategies. All meeting strategies will be shared with participants for future reference.

By the end of this session, participants will learn:

• Patrick Lencioni's work on productive meetings
• Tactics for running productive meetings with teams.

Presenter: Greg Beecher

Are you curious about finding or using informational or creative resources you can freely access, and legally customize and share within -- and beyond -- the university? Join Virginia Tech’s Open Education Librarian for an introduction to Creative Commons licenses. Leave as a super-searcher with a handful of new resources and details you need to build, create, and share freely available, openly licensed resources -- for work, learning, and play.

After completing this session, participants will be able to:

• Articulate the benefits of a Creative Commons license
• Demonstrate how to properly attribute Creative Commons-licensed works
• FIND Creative Commons’ licensed works in the area of their interest

Presenter: Anita Walz

Did you know that Virginia Tech has a campus-wide license of Texthelp's Read&Write and OrbitNote for Windows, MAC and Google Chrome? These powerful productivity tools are available to EVERY employee and student. This session will highlight examples of successfully leveraging Read&Write and Orbitnote to augment learning through reading, writing, research, and study skill technology.

Read&Write: This software, developed by Texthelp, provides a range of features to assist with reading, writing, and studying. It includes text-to-speech functionality, which reads digital text aloud, making it easier for users to comprehend written content. Additionally, Read&Write offers features such as word prediction, highlighting, annotation, and translation tools to support writing and comprehension tasks.

OrbitNote: OrbitNote is a web-based platform designed for annotating and collaborating on PDF documents. It allows users to highlight text, add comments, and make annotations directly within PDF files, making it useful for studying, research, and collaborative projects. OrbitNote also supports accessibility features, making it compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.

Whether you're an educator, student, or professional, these innovative software tools are designed to revolutionize the way you read, write, and collaborate.

By the end of this session, participants will:

1. Employ 3 tools from the Read&Write toolbar to support, improve, or enhance writing, reading, and research.
   
2. Explain how OrbitNote can simplify collaboration and engagement with PDFs.

Presenter: Mark Nichols

Embark on a journey to learn about Leadership Excellence, a cohort-based program designed to cultivate and enhance leadership competencies at Virginia Tech. Launched in fall 2023 as part of the university's commitment to fostering continuous growth and development, this program offers a transformative learning experience for leaders across the institution.

Leadership Excellence is not just about acquiring new knowledge – it's about putting that knowledge into practice. Throughout the academic year program, participants will have the opportunity to apply their learning to their local work communities, reflecting on how their leadership can make a meaningful difference beyond boundaries. Join us in an informative and interactive session to learn more about this program and how it can benefit you and the university!

By the end of this session, participants will learn about the new Leadership Excellence Program including, the components of the program, how to apply for the first cohort, expectations, competencies, and the timeline. 

Presenter: Michelle Carter

Join us as we delve into the transformative potential of badges as a dynamic tool for recognizing and rewarding learning achievements in today's ever-evolving educational landscape.

During this engaging session, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital badging platform at VT, along with real-world examples illustrating its impact and effectiveness. Through live demonstrations of badge implementation and utilization, you'll witness firsthand how badges can enhance the professional development experience for educators and learners alike.

You'll have a chance to dive into badge design, empowering you to create customized badges tailored to your unique professional development goals. With guidance and support from our expert facilitators, you'll explore the principles of effective badge design and learn how to craft badges that inspire and motivate learners to excel.

Discover the power of joining the VT badging network and tap into a thriving community of educators dedicated to leveraging badges as a catalyst for growth and achievement. Learn how badges can revolutionize your approach to managing complex curricula while providing learners with valuable, shareable digital credentials that showcase their skills and accomplishments to the world. They encourage your learners to make the learning in your program visible to others.

Don't miss out on this chance to unlock the full potential of digital badges in your professional development endeavors. Join us as we explore the countless benefits of badging – it's a win-win-win for educators, learners, and programs alike!

During this session, participants will:

• Build effective digital badges
  
• Understand the tools available in the VT Badging Network
• Understand how to join the VT Badging network for support and collaborative possibilities

Presenters: Marc Zaldivar, Shelley Seckers, and Sarah Dreier

Join us to deepen your understanding of accessibility and inclusion and become a catalyst for positive change within the VT community. Throughout this engaging session, participants will delve into various frameworks for understanding disability and its intersection with accessibility and inclusion in higher education. From the social model of disability to the principles of universal design, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the barriers faced by disabled students and the role of ableism in perpetuating exclusionary practices. Through interactive discussions and engaging content, you'll learn how to identify and address ableism in university settings, fostering a culture of belonging and empowerment for all learners.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe different frameworks for understanding disability and how they relate to the lack of accessibility and inclusion that disabled students often face in higher education.
  
• Identify how ableism manifests in a university setting and will be provided with strategies and resources to help them actively support accessibility and inclusion for VT students.

Presenter: Victoria Lael

Now, more than ever, changes are happening all around us at an ever-increasing speed. Join this session as we begin exploring what we must do differently in today's world to thrive in in a constantly changing & evolving environment.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Explore how to manage change better by adopting new beliefs about what change is and what we can and cannot control
• Anticipate change and prepare for changes.

Presenter: Reese Ramos

In October of 2023, University Scholarships and Financial Aid (USFA) and Career and Professional Development (CPD) were awarded the implementation planning Transforming Federal Work Study (FWS) Grant through the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (VTOP) and the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV). This grant was created to support institutions in their journey to transform FWS jobs into internships/more internship-like opportunities while adhering to federal policy requirements for FWS.

Join us to hear more about how USFA and CPD are working collaboratively to identify FWS positions on campus and connect them to CPD’s pre-existing experiential learning programs. This includes identifying existing FWS internships and FWS positions that can be easily transformed into internships and utilizing FWS funds to support departments/units that would otherwise be unable to hire an intern. This will include how to learn more about hiring a student into Federal Work Study positions on campus and preliminary information about the inaugural Campus Student Employment Fair scheduled to take place in August 2024.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Gain an understanding of how University Scholarships and Financial Aid (USFA) and Career and Professional Development (CPD) are utilizing the SCHEV Grant to transform FWS at Virginia Tech.
  
• Learn about ways that you can hire a student for a Federal Work-Study internship on campus.
• Gain an awareness of how the Student Campus Employment Fair can assist their departments.

Presenters: Cary Wright, Myla Gao, Elissa Waybright, and Nicci Ratcliff

PowerPoint can be used to enhance or distract. Join us for an informative workshop on harnessing the accessibility features of PowerPoint and Zoom to create inclusive and engaging presentations in a classroom or virtual setting.

Designed for educators, professionals, and anyone looking to enhance accessibility in their virtual presentations, this session offers practical tips and strategies for maximizing the accessibility of your content. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to leverage the built-in accessibility tools of PowerPoint to ensure that your slides are accessible to all audiences, including those with visual or auditory impairments. Discover how to add alt text to images, use accessible slide layouts, and incorporate closed captions for enhanced comprehension.

Additionally, we'll explore the accessibility features of Zoom, including options for live captioning, screen reader support, and keyboard shortcuts. Learn how to make your virtual presentations more inclusive and accessible to participants of all abilities, fostering a more engaging and equitable learning experience.

Whether you're a seasoned presenter or new to virtual platforms, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to create accessible presentations that reach and resonate with every audience member.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify where to download the accessible PowerPoint Template
  
• Use the PowerPoint accessibility checker
• Provide frictionless presentations using Zoom

Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the full potential of PowerPoint and Zoom as powerful tools for accessibility and inclusion!

Presenter: S.B. Chandler

We are all agents of change, bringing innate individual preferences for the way we generate and implement ideas to problem solve in the situations that surround us. The resulting cognitive diversity in group dynamics may be managed and leveraged well, or adversely influence change efforts. Our individual preferences for cognitive problem-solving are hardwired and, therefore, stable. While this preference doesn’t change over time, it becomes relative to the tasks, situations, and groups we work in. Our ability to influence change is dependent on how appropriate our style may be deemed for a particular problem or project. Understanding the cognitive styles of others, as similar or different to our own, is key to acting as influencers in change leadership. This interactive session will incorporate a researched and proven theory of cognitive diversity and allow participants to understand their own preferences toward adaption and innovation in problem-solving and creativity. Rich dialog about assumptions and understanding will move us in a direction of being able to better work together as change influencers.

Participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between adaptive and innovative preferences for generating ideas, utilizing structures, and responding to rules and group norms.
• Compare agent of change groups within organizations and teams to identify consensus groups and outliers.
• Define precipitating events, pendulum of change, and spiral of change.
• Value cognitive diversity to lead and manage change.

Presenter: Megan Seibel