Sparkshops

4:30 PM | Virtual Event | Chris Smith

And you thought you could just do research, right? No, you need to hire, onboard, manage, motivate, mentor, keep records, do accounting, obtain funding, and perhaps other things like…research. You are now CEO, COO, CFO, in addition to your other roles as a faculty member. In this session we will dissect the different roles of a faculty research principal investigator, and explore how to ‘do it all’, including how to align your research lab with positive values and culture so that your research is not only good, but feels good.

4:30 PM | Virtual Event | Zubair Barkat

In this hands-on Sparkshop, participants will design and test a course-specific AI teaching assistant using Custom GPTs. The session will focus on aligning AI support with course goals, assignment expectations, teaching style, and ethical boundaries. Participants will identify one instructional use case, draft a simple assistant blueprint, test it with student-facing prompts, and revise it using a brief accuracy and alignment check. To follow this workshop, participants need a free OpenAI ChatGPT or a ChatGPT 5.5 ($20/month) account. Simply visit the site , sign up using an email address, and log in. Since it is billed monthly, participants can cancel their subscription at any time post-training if they no longer need it.

4:30 PM | Virtual Event | Shalyn Drake

This Sparkshop is designed for faculty who incorporate community engagement or project‑based methods into their teaching and want a clearer path for developing CEL‑designated courses and learn about why they are powerful. The session begins with a brief, focused overview of Community Engaged Learning followed by a guided, step‑by‑step walkthrough of the CEL course designation and planning process. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of CEL principles, an instructional design module they can use for faculty development, and a practical checklist for implementing CEL projects in their own courses.

4:30 PM | Virtual Event | Christy Glass

Faculty are often asked to take on service opportunities, but knowing when to say yes or no can be challenging. This Sparkshop will explore strategies for evaluating opportunities based on your priorities, workload, and professional goals while setting healthy boundaries and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues.

4:30 PM | Virtual Event | Marlene Graf & Alyssa Reidhead

Mental health conditions among students in higher education – including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other mental health challenges – are on the rise. Today’s student population also includes neurodiverse individuals who report higher levels of loneliness, stress, and mental health concerns compared to their peers. This session will provide practical strategies and resources for proactively creating a learning environment that supports student learning and well-being – particularly among students who are experiencing (or at risk for) mental health challenges.  Attendees will explore appropriate ways to adapt teaching methods to foster inclusion, encourage resilience, and support academic success.