Fall 2025 Convocation Schedule

Daily Schedules

Read a Special Note About the Huskies Food Pantry

Tuesday, August 19

Time Event
9-10:15 a.m.

President's Address
Ritsche Auditorium

Join via Zoom

10:30-11:30 a.m.

Coffee and Campus Social
Cascade Room, Atwood

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lunch on your own

1-2:30 p.m.

Campus Assembly
Cascade Room, Atwood

Join via Zoom

2:45-3:45 p.m.

Session A: Assignment Apocalypse:  Rethinking Learning in the Age of AI 
Alumni Room, Atwood
Join via Zoom

Presenters: Emil Towner, Professor HBS and Director CHGE; Mary Clifford, Professor Criminal Justice and Honors College Faculty Fellow 

AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot are rapidly transforming how students approach their schoolwork. As a result, many traditional assignments no longer effectively assess genuine learning. In this one-hour workshop, we’ll explore how instructors can rethink and redesign their existing assignments to both minimize AI-assisted cheating and incorporate ethical, purposeful use of AI in the learning process. Bring one major assignment you'd like to revise, along with a laptop or tablet. 

Session B: Strengthening Student Experience Through Community Connections: Enhancing Retention and Recruitment
Atwood Theatre
Join via Zoom

Presenters:  Jungwon Ahn, Associate Professor Manufacturing Engineering Technology; Stephanie Peterson, Center for Teacher Preparation and Experiences 

Join us to learn about innovative strategies SCSU faculty and staff have used to build meaningful collaborations with industry partners, alumni, and future students. The session will highlight successful initiatives from the SCSU Future Teacher Academy and Department of Engineering and Engineering Technology. Leave with practical ideas and actionable steps to integrate community partnerships into their programs and teaching practices, ultimately contributing to a more supportive and connected learning environment. 

Return to top of page

Wednesday, August 20

Time Event
8:30-9:45 a.m.

Keynote: AiAiO:  Reimagining Creativity and Collaboration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence 
Cascade Room, Atwood
Join via Zoom

Presenters:  Rosemary Williams, Professor of Art; Mark Gill, VizLab Director 

This is the story of ART 453 Digital Projects: AI & Creativity, in which twenty-one art and design students built an image-generating AI from the ground up in the SCSU VizLab. We will describe the collaborative journey they used to produce unexpected outcomes and promising possibilities in terms of student engagement, agency, and production. Time will be reserved at the end for questions and guided discussion. 

10-11 a.m.

Session A: AI Fundamentals: A Beginner's Guide for Faculty and Staff
Alumni Room, Atwood
Join via Zoom

Presenters: Dave Blanchard, Director of Online and Distance Learning; Glen Irvin, Graduate Director, Educational Leadership and Technology 

AI Fundamentals: A Beginner’s Guide for Faculty and Staff provides a clear, approachable introduction to what artificial intelligence is and why it matters in higher education. We’ll explore core concepts, common tools, and examples of AI in everyday teaching and administrative work. By the end, you’ll have a solid foundation to engage with AI confidently and responsibly. 

Session B: AI Prompt Development: Intermediate and Advanced Techniques
Cascade Room, Atwood
Join via Zoom

Presenters: Greg Jorgensen, Senior Academic Technology Systems Specialist 

AI Prompt Development: Intermediate Techniques takes your AI skills to the next level with a focus on using Microsoft Copilot effectively. This session will explore strategies for crafting prompts that deliver accurate, relevant, and creative results. You’ll leave with practical techniques to refine your workflow and get the most out of Copilot.  

11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Session A: Accessibility Road Show
Alumni Room, Atwood
Join via Zoom

Presenters:  Molly Tast, Student Accessibility Services and Dave Blanchard, SCSU Online Education 

Accessibility Roadshow invites participants to bring their own educational materials for a lively, hands-on review. Join Molly and Dave as they evaluate, critique, and offer practical suggestions to make resources more accessible and inclusive. Submissions are encouraged, and everyone will leave with ideas to improve design and usability.

Submit your sample here

Session B: Beyond the Classroom: Addressing Unmet Student Basic Needs to Promote Academic Success and Student Engagement 
Cascade Room, Atwood
Join via Zoom

Presenters: Rebecca Peine, Dean of Students Office, Jennifer Rocheleau Dorholt, Counseling and Psychological Services, Stephanie Loehlein, Counseling and Psychological Services   

At St. Cloud State University, faculty and staff play a crucial role in supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. This session will examine how unmet basic needs, such as food insecurity, housing instability, mental health challenges, and financial stress, can affect student engagement, retention, and academic success. Participants will learn how to identify signs of need, connect students with campus and community resources, and promote a culture of care.  

12:15-1:15 p.m.

Returning Faculty: Lunch on your own

12:15-2:45 p.m.

New Faculty: NEW Faculty Welcome Lunch & Teaching Workshop (Lunch will be provided)
CETL Studio, 225 Stewart Hall

Facilitator:  Janet Tilstra, Professor of CSD and CETL Director 

During this practical session new faculty will gather for lunch and conversation. We will provide guidance on creating a welcoming learning experience for students through syllabus review and tips for the first day of class. Faculty will leave with resources to navigate SCSU specific teaching technology resources.   

1:15-2:45 p.m.

Elevate Your Academic Program: The Annual Academic Program Review (AAPR) Blue Print
In-person workshop / Zoom link for Plymouth only
Alumni Room, Atwood 

Facilitators: Michele Mumm, Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Quality; Laura Finch, Faculty Fellow for Academic Program Quality and members of the FY26 Academic Program Review Committee

Beginning Fall 2025, academic program faculty are expected to conduct an annual academic program review (AAPR). The AAPR provides faculty with an opportunity to reflect on their academic program’s health using key data and information and develop intentional strategies to continuously enhance the value of their degree program. This workshop equips faculty with the tools, strategies, and confidence to conduct a meaningful, efficient, and actionable review. Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

  1. Summarize the purpose of the Annual Academic Program Review (AAPR)
  2. Recognize the significance of program faculty engagement in the AAPR process
  3. Prepare a timeline for their program’s AAPR 
  4. Know how to integrate data from their program’s Power BI data dashboards into the AAPR process 
  5. Complete and submit the AAPR report
  6. Access AAPR support resources 

Faculty are encouraged to bring their computer and attend the workshop with program colleagues. This workshop is repeated on Thursday, August 21, at 8:30 a.m. 

Although the workshop content is specifically focused on the AAPR, all campus community members are welcome and encouraged to attend the workshop. 

2:45-4 p.m.

Research and Sponsored Programs Teacher Scholar Reception  
Atwood Gallery

Hosted by: Claudia Tomany, Associate Provost for Research and Sponsored Programs and Dean of Graduate Studies 

Return to top of page

Thursday, August 21 (overlapping Huskies 1st Four Events)

Time Event
8-10:15 a.m.

Instructional and Academic Support Drop-in Sessions
Mississippi Room, Atwood
Join via Zoom

SCSU Online Instructional Designers are available to assist with course design and technology to support teaching and learning 

8:30-10 a.m.

Elevate Your Academic Program: The Annual Academic Program Review (AAPR) Blue Print
Alumni Room, Atwood
Join via Zoom

Repeat session from 1:15 p.m. Wednesday

10:30 a.m. to Noon

Session A: Empowering Success: Practical Accessibility Strategies to Enhance Learning and Work Environments
Alumni Room, Atwood
Join via Zoom

Presenters: Molly Tast, Student Accessibility Services and Dave Blanchard, SCSU Online Education 

Empowering Success: Practical Accessibility Strategies to Enhance Learning and Work Environments explores foundational technical techniques for embedding accessibility into learning experience design. Hosted by Molly and Dave, this session will demonstrate how small, intentional changes can create more inclusive and effective materials. Participants will gain practical skills to improve access and usability in both educational and workplace settings.

Session B: Equity by Design: Using Course Level Data to Inform Teaching and Learning Practices—Faculty Panel 
Cascade Room, Atwood
Join via Zoom

Moderator:  Janet Tilstra, Professor CSD and CETL Director 

Faculty Panelists: Mikhail Blinnikov, Professor & Graduate Coordinator, Geography; GIS Graduate Certificate Adviser, Nathan Bruender, Associate Professor, Chemistry, Jessica Imrie, Assistant Professor, Nursing 

Equity by Design (EbD) is a Minnesota State initiative to review your own teaching persona, disaggregated course level data, and identify potential barriers to students’ academic success. Faculty then learn about and implement changes based on race conscious and culturally responsive practices.   

A faculty panel of Spring 2025 participants in EbD training will discuss their experience including observations from their own course data; personal insights; and practical methods they are using to meet the needs of each student and close equity gaps. Join us to discover more about the Equity by Design process and options for reviewing your own course data and making meaningful changes in your teaching practices.   

Noon to 1 p.m.

Lunch on your own

1-2:30 p.m. 

Session A: Simply Aligned: The Liberal Education Assessment Process
Join via Zoom

Presenter: Kristian Twombly, Faculty Fellow for Assessment 

Are you ready for a more streamlined and meaningful way to assess student learning of SCSU’s Liberal Education Program (LEP) outcomes? This year, faculty teaching courses in Goal Area 3 will pilot a simplified process that reduces complexity, emphasizes clarity, and supports continuous improvement without adding to your workload.  Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

  • Summarize the purpose and benefits of the redesigned assessment of student learning process for SCSU’s Liberal Education Program
  • Align course student learning outcomes (SLOs), institutional learning outcomes (Our Husky Compact) and Liberal Education Goal Area student learning outcomes 
  • Describe the key components of a signature assignment 
  • Describe a single-point rubric tool to assess student learning 

Faculty who teach courses designated to fulfill goal areas in the Liberal Education Program are highly encouraged to attend this workshop, although special attention will be paid to Goal Area 3 courses. During the workshop it will be helpful to have access to your LEP course syllabus, LEP course learning outcomes, Goal Area learning outcomes, and institutional learning outcomes. 

Session B: CETL Studio Drop In Sessions for New-ish and Returning Faculty
CETL Studio Stewart Hall 225 

Host: Janet Tilstra, Professor of CSD and CETL Director 

New and returning faculty are invited to drop-in sessions at the CETL Studio in Stewart Hall 225. Experienced faculty will be available to discuss questions and offer advice related to teaching, learning, and scholarship.   

2:45-4:15 p.m.

Session A:  Charting the Course:  Developing an Assessment Plan for Your Academic Degree Program 
Join via Zoom

Presenter: Kristian Twombly, Faculty Fellow for Assessment; and Melissa Krause, Faculty Fellow for Program Assessment 

Materials: Assessment Plan resource materials for this workshop may be found in the Assessment of Student Learning SharePoint site. The site may require a log-in. 

A well-designed plan to assess student learning of program outcomes is essential for understanding student competence and academic program effectiveness. This workshop introduces faculty to the AY26 Academic Program Assessment Plan project launching September 2025. It familiarizes participants with the purpose and use of a comprehensive academic program assessment plan and walks participants through key processes such as writing effective program learning outcomes (PLOs), identifying signature assignments, determining where to assess student learning, and developing a realistic timeline. 

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

  • Summarize the purpose and key components of a comprehensive academic program assessment plan
  • Ensure program-level student learning outcomes (PLOs) align with institutional outcomes (Our Husky Compact)
  • Identify potential signature assignments
  • Complete an academic program curriculum map template
  • Prepare a program learning outcome assessment rotation schedule   

Although the workshop content is specifically focused on creating an assessment plan for academic degree programs, all campus community members are welcome and encouraged to attend the workshop. 

Return to top of page

Friday, August 22

Time Event
9-10:45 a.m.

Huskies First Four Academic Orientations

12:30-4:00 p.m.

College/School, Department Meetings

Return to top of page

Additional Note

Last year, the Huskies Food Pantry had 9,719 student visits and distributed 111,220 lbs of food. As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, we want to ensure the pantry shelves are fully stocked and ready to support Huskies! Consider supporting the Huskies Food Pantry by bringing a donation of shelf-stable food and personal care items to the President's Address Tuesday. Donations will be collected before and after the event or be dropped off in the Dean of Students Office (AMC 110) during business hours or at the Huskies Food Pantry (Miller Center 135) during hours of operation 

Needed items: 

  • Peanut Butter
  • Lentils 
  • Canned Protein (tuna, chicken, salmon, etc.) 
  • Canned Fruits & Veggies 
  • Soups 
  • Boxed Meal Kits 
  • Pasta/Rice 
  • Snacks (like fruit cups) 
  • Personal Care Items (shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.)