Listed below are several unique webinars and socials that have been offered in the past by the National Learning Communities Association (NLCA). Please note that it is FREE to participate in these sessions for all registered NLCA members. If you have yet to register for the NLCA you can Register Here!
The NLCA would like to thank Briar Cliff University for graciously offering to sponsor our webinar series and the Washington Center for hosting our Virtual "Socials" for our membership!
The NLCA would like to thank Briar Cliff University for graciously offering to sponsor our webinar series and the Washington Center for hosting our Virtual "Socials" for our membership!
Virtual Learning Communities: NLCA "Socials"
#Stopasianhate: raise awareness, rise up
LCA Workshop: Monday, April 12, 3PM PT
Click Here to View the Conversation Access Password: ch5MV.3V
Presented by: Kababayan Learning Community at Skyline College (Dr. Liza Erpelo, Jayde Nieve, Caitlin Collantes, and Asa Mobley) and Katipunan at College of San Mateo (Doris Garcia, Angeli Ong, Tyler Castillo, and Monica Dollezon-Yu)
In this workshop, we will provide a brief historical overview of the discrimination and racism endured by Asians in America since the mid-1800s. This will lead into our discussion of current events: the increase in anti-Asian violence in the United States. Our primary goal for this shared space is to look at the root causes of this problem, discuss how it has affected us and our communities, then identify ways to take action and stand in solidarity with our Asian brothers and sisters.
Click Here to View the Conversation Access Password: ch5MV.3V
Presented by: Kababayan Learning Community at Skyline College (Dr. Liza Erpelo, Jayde Nieve, Caitlin Collantes, and Asa Mobley) and Katipunan at College of San Mateo (Doris Garcia, Angeli Ong, Tyler Castillo, and Monica Dollezon-Yu)
In this workshop, we will provide a brief historical overview of the discrimination and racism endured by Asians in America since the mid-1800s. This will lead into our discussion of current events: the increase in anti-Asian violence in the United States. Our primary goal for this shared space is to look at the root causes of this problem, discuss how it has affected us and our communities, then identify ways to take action and stand in solidarity with our Asian brothers and sisters.
BUILDING AND SUSTAINING COMMUNITY IN LCS
led by Amy Cooper, Wayne State University
Click Here to View the Conversation Access Password: Q=cakBa2
Click Here to View the Conversation Access Password: Q=cakBa2
LEARNING COMMUNITIES DISCUSSION FOR ADMINISTRATORS PREPARING LCS/LLCS FOR AN ATYPICAL ACADEMIC YEAR
led by Nathan Phelps, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Click Here to View the Conversation Access Password: x7AQ+Q#g
Click Here to View the Conversation Access Password: x7AQ+Q#g
PROMOTING EQUITY IN LEARNING COMMUNITIES
led by Dr. Khalilah Shabazz, IUPUI
Click Here to View the Conversation Access Password: 1G@?6W@4
Resources:
1) Culture Treasure Chest
2) A.I.M. For Diversity
3) Culturally Relevant Considerations
4) Anti-Racism Resources
Click Here to View the Conversation Access Password: 1G@?6W@4
Resources:
1) Culture Treasure Chest
2) A.I.M. For Diversity
3) Culturally Relevant Considerations
4) Anti-Racism Resources
TRANSITIONING LEARNING COMMUNITIES VIRTUALLY FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES
led by Dr. Janine Graziano, Kingsborough Community College
Click Here to View the Conversation Access Password: 5e$7r&2p
Click Here to View the Conversation Access Password: 5e$7r&2p
PARTIAL OR FULLY ONLINE RESIDENTIAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES/LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITIES
led by Dr. Jody Jessup-Anger, Marquette University and Dr. Mimi Benjamin, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Click Here to View the Conversation: Access Password: 7l!C55b7
Click Here to View the Conversation: Access Password: 7l!C55b7
TRANSITIONING LC/LLC CURRICULUM TO AN ONLINE SETTING
Click Here to View the Conversation: Access Password: 5B#3$y#3
DESIGNING CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING IN VIRTUAL LCS/LLCS
Click Here to View the Conversation: Access Password: 9p@?d3Xi
MARKETING, RECRUITMENT, AND ADVISING IN LCS/LLCS VIA A VIRTUAL SUMMER
Click Here to View the Conversation: Access Password: 7O^b12A%
RECENT WEBINARS
Past WEBINARS
FALL 2020
Delivering an Engaging Virtual Peer Mentor Training
VIDEO PRESENTATION
Presenters:
Kyle Holtman
Assistant Director, Learning Communities at Iowa State University
Jen Leptien
Director, Learning Communities at Iowa State University
Session Description:
The coronavirus pandemic required Iowa State University Learning Communities to develop new modalities for delivering our traditionally face-to-face peer mentor training this fall. In this session, we will share the strategic decision-making and steps taken to transition our two-day, 14-hour, in-person event to a condensed, yet highly informative and interactive, five-hour, synchronous, virtual event. We will also share how we modified and packaged additional training content and resources through asynchronous delivery within our university's learning management system (Canvas).
VIDEO PRESENTATION
Presenters:
Kyle Holtman
Assistant Director, Learning Communities at Iowa State University
Jen Leptien
Director, Learning Communities at Iowa State University
Session Description:
The coronavirus pandemic required Iowa State University Learning Communities to develop new modalities for delivering our traditionally face-to-face peer mentor training this fall. In this session, we will share the strategic decision-making and steps taken to transition our two-day, 14-hour, in-person event to a condensed, yet highly informative and interactive, five-hour, synchronous, virtual event. We will also share how we modified and packaged additional training content and resources through asynchronous delivery within our university's learning management system (Canvas).
SPRING 2020
Helping First-Generation Students Through College Transition
Click Here to View the Webinar
Presenter:
Jolyn Brand
Brand College Consulting
Session Description:
Many families and college-bound students are unaware of the options for residential living at universities. This is especially true for first-generation college students.Without support from educational experts, they may miss opportunities to select to participate in a Living-Learning Community (LLC), which has been shown to increase student persistence and promote more positive social climates.
The presenter, Jolyn Brand, completed her dissertation on LLCs and their benefits to students, especially first-generation students or those at larger universities. Previous research and findings will be discussed about best practices and how to best serve this important group of students.
Click Here to View the Webinar
Presenter:
Jolyn Brand
Brand College Consulting
Session Description:
Many families and college-bound students are unaware of the options for residential living at universities. This is especially true for first-generation college students.Without support from educational experts, they may miss opportunities to select to participate in a Living-Learning Community (LLC), which has been shown to increase student persistence and promote more positive social climates.
The presenter, Jolyn Brand, completed her dissertation on LLCs and their benefits to students, especially first-generation students or those at larger universities. Previous research and findings will be discussed about best practices and how to best serve this important group of students.
FALL 2019
Integrating Peer Mentors in the Classroom
Click Here to View the Webinar
Presenters:
Jennifer Lauren Simpson, Professional Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Raina Watts, Learning Community Mentor/Biomedical Sciences Major, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Session Description:
This presentation will demonstrate how peer mentors can be embedded into a learning community to assist students with transitioning to College and provide support to professors. This discussion will cover the role of the peer mentor and how their presence benefits both students and professors. Each discussion point will be led by both the professor and peer mentor and will focus on a student issue that was remedied by incorporating the peer mentor in the classroom. Discussion points include mentor qualification, specific examples of the mentor's role in and outside of the classroom, and challenging common misconceptions of incorporating a peer mentor into the classroom.
Click Here to View the Webinar
Presenters:
Jennifer Lauren Simpson, Professional Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Raina Watts, Learning Community Mentor/Biomedical Sciences Major, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Session Description:
This presentation will demonstrate how peer mentors can be embedded into a learning community to assist students with transitioning to College and provide support to professors. This discussion will cover the role of the peer mentor and how their presence benefits both students and professors. Each discussion point will be led by both the professor and peer mentor and will focus on a student issue that was remedied by incorporating the peer mentor in the classroom. Discussion points include mentor qualification, specific examples of the mentor's role in and outside of the classroom, and challenging common misconceptions of incorporating a peer mentor into the classroom.
SPRING 2019
Defining Academic/Student Affairs Collaboration in Residential Learning Communities
Click Here to View Webinar
Presenters:
Richie Gebauer, Executive Director, First-Year Experience and Student Transitions, Cabrini University
Tina Muller, Associate Director, Residential Education, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Session Description:
The popularity of residential learning communities (RLCs) has increased exponentially across campuses, but do stakeholders understand the essential role collaboration plays in RLC success? Academic and student affairs collaborations are the foundation of Inkelas' et al. (2018) RLC best practices model. In this webinar we will review results of a multi-institutional study that defines collaboration in the context of RLCs. We will discuss this definition, created with the help of academic and student affairs leaders, and additional findings that emerged. We will also introduce a guide for campuses to assess elements of their own collaborations.
Presenters:
Richie Gebauer, Executive Director, First-Year Experience and Student Transitions, Cabrini University
Tina Muller, Associate Director, Residential Education, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Session Description:
The popularity of residential learning communities (RLCs) has increased exponentially across campuses, but do stakeholders understand the essential role collaboration plays in RLC success? Academic and student affairs collaborations are the foundation of Inkelas' et al. (2018) RLC best practices model. In this webinar we will review results of a multi-institutional study that defines collaboration in the context of RLCs. We will discuss this definition, created with the help of academic and student affairs leaders, and additional findings that emerged. We will also introduce a guide for campuses to assess elements of their own collaborations.
Incorporating Academic Support into the First-Year Experience
Click Here to View Webinar
Presenter:
Hannah Williamson, Educational Advisor for First-Year Initiatives of the Learning Commons, University of Cincinnati
Session Description:
In an effort to increase first year student retention and satisfaction, the University of Cincinnati has embarked on new collaborations to infuse first year experiences with academic support. During this webinar, we will provide an overview of the need for academic support in learning communities and other first year experiences, how the University of Cincinnati infused support by re-imagining our instructor-led, peer-led, and hybrid learning communities to integrate academic supports into the time already allotted for these experiences. Diving deeper into the instructor-led course, we will provide information on the course content, structure and how this course is being used as a retention tool.
Presenter:
Hannah Williamson, Educational Advisor for First-Year Initiatives of the Learning Commons, University of Cincinnati
Session Description:
In an effort to increase first year student retention and satisfaction, the University of Cincinnati has embarked on new collaborations to infuse first year experiences with academic support. During this webinar, we will provide an overview of the need for academic support in learning communities and other first year experiences, how the University of Cincinnati infused support by re-imagining our instructor-led, peer-led, and hybrid learning communities to integrate academic supports into the time already allotted for these experiences. Diving deeper into the instructor-led course, we will provide information on the course content, structure and how this course is being used as a retention tool.
Recruiting, Orienting, and Onboarding Learning Community Students
Click Here to View Webinar
Presenters:
Dr. Brett Bruner, Dean of Student Engagement, Arkansas Tech University
Celeste Worthy, Graduate Assistant for Extended Orientation & Transition Initiatives, Fort Hays State University
Session Description:
Learning communities provide a rich experience for students through integrated curricula, co-curricular experiences, an engaging environment with peers and peer leaders, and connections with faculty members that extend beyond the classroom walls. But how do we best sell these experiences and then prepare newly-recruited LC students to this LC environment? This webinar will explore best practices in marketing and recruitment strategies to attract LC students and orientation and onboarding techniques to support their transition to the LC program.
Presenters:
Dr. Brett Bruner, Dean of Student Engagement, Arkansas Tech University
Celeste Worthy, Graduate Assistant for Extended Orientation & Transition Initiatives, Fort Hays State University
Session Description:
Learning communities provide a rich experience for students through integrated curricula, co-curricular experiences, an engaging environment with peers and peer leaders, and connections with faculty members that extend beyond the classroom walls. But how do we best sell these experiences and then prepare newly-recruited LC students to this LC environment? This webinar will explore best practices in marketing and recruitment strategies to attract LC students and orientation and onboarding techniques to support their transition to the LC program.
FALL 2018
Building Connections Between First-Year Students and Career Centers with a Career-Readiness Learning Community
Click Here to View the Webinar
Presenters:
Dr. Brett Bruner, Dean of Student Engagement, Arkansas Tech University and Karen McCullough, Director of Career Services, Fort Hayes State University
Session Description:
Colleges and university have embraced learning communities because of the possibility of life-changing experiences for those students who participate in them (Kuh, 2008). They provide "value-added social and psychological benefits to the students who participate" (Arensdorf & Naylor Tincknell, 2016, p. 13). The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Ready Competencies provide for "development of strategies and tactics that will close the gap between higher education and the world of work" (NACE). This webinar will provide an overview of how one institution developed a partnership between the campus career center and the learning communities program to offer the Career-Ready Tigers first year learning community to strengthen the connections between first-year students, careers, and the NACE career-ready competencies.
Presenters:
Dr. Brett Bruner, Dean of Student Engagement, Arkansas Tech University and Karen McCullough, Director of Career Services, Fort Hayes State University
Session Description:
Colleges and university have embraced learning communities because of the possibility of life-changing experiences for those students who participate in them (Kuh, 2008). They provide "value-added social and psychological benefits to the students who participate" (Arensdorf & Naylor Tincknell, 2016, p. 13). The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Ready Competencies provide for "development of strategies and tactics that will close the gap between higher education and the world of work" (NACE). This webinar will provide an overview of how one institution developed a partnership between the campus career center and the learning communities program to offer the Career-Ready Tigers first year learning community to strengthen the connections between first-year students, careers, and the NACE career-ready competencies.
Creating a Multi-Tiered Student Leadership Structure in Learning Communities
Click Here to View the Webinar
Presenters:
Dr. Brett Bruner, Dean of Student Engagement, Arkansas Tech University
Kaylie Towles, Graduate Assistant for Learning Communities, Texas A&M University
Session Description:
Student leaders are an invaluable component of the internal and external operations of a learning community program. Undergraduate student peers assist in teaching learning community courses, mentoring learning community student participants, and even recruiting students and their parents and family members into the learning community experience. This session will describe how two institutions have intentionally developed a multi-tiered student leadership structure to their learning community program to best engage undergraduate student peers looking to make a difference.
Presenters:
Dr. Brett Bruner, Dean of Student Engagement, Arkansas Tech University
Kaylie Towles, Graduate Assistant for Learning Communities, Texas A&M University
Session Description:
Student leaders are an invaluable component of the internal and external operations of a learning community program. Undergraduate student peers assist in teaching learning community courses, mentoring learning community student participants, and even recruiting students and their parents and family members into the learning community experience. This session will describe how two institutions have intentionally developed a multi-tiered student leadership structure to their learning community program to best engage undergraduate student peers looking to make a difference.
SPRING 2018
Cultivating & Stewarding Faculty Engagement in Learning Communities
Click Here to View the Webinar
Presenters:
Brett Bruner, Director of Transition and Student Conduct, Fort Hays State University
Keegan Nichols, Vice President for Student Services, Arkansas Tech University
Faculty engagement is a core component of the learning community program design (Arensdorf & Naylor-Tincknell, 2016). This engagement is intentionally embedded based on the principle that student-faculty interactions that extend beyond the classroom have significant effects on a host of student outcomes including academic achievement, personal and intellectual development, persistence, and degree attainment (Ellett & Schmidt, 2011, p. 28). This webinar will highlight strategies used by two regional, state comprehensive universities in the cultivation and stewardship of faculty members in the design and implementation phases of learning community programs.
Presenters:
Brett Bruner, Director of Transition and Student Conduct, Fort Hays State University
Keegan Nichols, Vice President for Student Services, Arkansas Tech University
Faculty engagement is a core component of the learning community program design (Arensdorf & Naylor-Tincknell, 2016). This engagement is intentionally embedded based on the principle that student-faculty interactions that extend beyond the classroom have significant effects on a host of student outcomes including academic achievement, personal and intellectual development, persistence, and degree attainment (Ellett & Schmidt, 2011, p. 28). This webinar will highlight strategies used by two regional, state comprehensive universities in the cultivation and stewardship of faculty members in the design and implementation phases of learning community programs.
Strategies That Help Students Make Connections Within Their LCs and Beyond
Presenter:
Mateo Garcés Valencia, Professor of Curriculum and Teaching TESOL, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
This webinar will show how the LC Project in UPR-Arecibo combines interdisciplinary integrative projects, tutoring, and partnerships with other higher education institutions. Our LCs uses integrative assignments that link General Education courses with core courses to help students solve real problems. The projects’ Center for the Development of Linguistics and Information Competences incorporates tutoring for courses offered in LCs. A tutor is assigned to each LC to maximize students’ academic success. We have also made academic connections between students from Puerto Rico and other institutions in the US. The assessment of all these efforts has shown significant academic performance.
Mateo Garcés Valencia, Professor of Curriculum and Teaching TESOL, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
This webinar will show how the LC Project in UPR-Arecibo combines interdisciplinary integrative projects, tutoring, and partnerships with other higher education institutions. Our LCs uses integrative assignments that link General Education courses with core courses to help students solve real problems. The projects’ Center for the Development of Linguistics and Information Competences incorporates tutoring for courses offered in LCs. A tutor is assigned to each LC to maximize students’ academic success. We have also made academic connections between students from Puerto Rico and other institutions in the US. The assessment of all these efforts has shown significant academic performance.
Implementing an Evidence-Based Best Practices Model for LLCs
Click Here to View the Webinar
Presenters:
Karen Inkelas, University of Virginia
Mimi Benjamin, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Matt Wawrzynski, Michigan State University
During this webinar, authors of the book, Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) that Work (forthcoming March 2018) will highlight the essential elements of a best practices model for LLCs, which was developed from over a decade of empirical evidence. We will share examples about the enactment of a best practices-based living-learning community and discuss strategies for successful implementation.
Presenters:
Karen Inkelas, University of Virginia
Mimi Benjamin, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Matt Wawrzynski, Michigan State University
During this webinar, authors of the book, Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) that Work (forthcoming March 2018) will highlight the essential elements of a best practices model for LLCs, which was developed from over a decade of empirical evidence. We will share examples about the enactment of a best practices-based living-learning community and discuss strategies for successful implementation.
FALL 2017
Getting Started with SoTL in Your Learning Community
Click Here to View Webinar
Presenters:
Hillary Steiner, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Faculty Fellow for Learning-Centered Teaching, Kennesaw State University
Tom Pusateri, Associate Director for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning and Professor of Psychology, Kennesaw State University
This webinar will provide practical suggestions for Learning Communities faculty at any stage of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) research process, from generating initial ideas to presenting or publishing the research. SoTL research focuses on investigations of teaching pedagogies within a discipline or across disciplines that promote student learning in undergraduate or graduate degree programs. The presenters, both award-winning SoTL practitioners with experience working with learning communities faculty, will engage participants in developing ideas for SoTL projects, designing their studies, and preparing their research for presentation and publication.
Presenters:
Hillary Steiner, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Faculty Fellow for Learning-Centered Teaching, Kennesaw State University
Tom Pusateri, Associate Director for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning and Professor of Psychology, Kennesaw State University
This webinar will provide practical suggestions for Learning Communities faculty at any stage of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) research process, from generating initial ideas to presenting or publishing the research. SoTL research focuses on investigations of teaching pedagogies within a discipline or across disciplines that promote student learning in undergraduate or graduate degree programs. The presenters, both award-winning SoTL practitioners with experience working with learning communities faculty, will engage participants in developing ideas for SoTL projects, designing their studies, and preparing their research for presentation and publication.
The Natural Role of Learning Communities in the Guided Pathways Movement
Click Here to View Webinar
Presenters:
Latitia McCane, Dean of Instructional Services, Bishop State
Bill Mullaney, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Bergen Community College
Janette Clay, Transitional Studies Learning Communities Manager, Clark College
By their very nature, learning communities are designed to provide students with additional guidance as they make their way through their college experience. Many colleges across the country are adopting a Guided Pathway approach to improving outcomes in support of college completion. A major focus of this model is engaging faculty and student services professionals to develop collaborative models that have clearly organized and articulated completion goals, as well as rethinking instruction and student support services in ways that facilitate student learning and success. In this session, we will examine how learning communities can model and support the goals of Guided Pathways. The perspectives of three colleges that are at different points in their Guided Pathways journey will be presented.
Presenters:
Latitia McCane, Dean of Instructional Services, Bishop State
Bill Mullaney, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Bergen Community College
Janette Clay, Transitional Studies Learning Communities Manager, Clark College
By their very nature, learning communities are designed to provide students with additional guidance as they make their way through their college experience. Many colleges across the country are adopting a Guided Pathway approach to improving outcomes in support of college completion. A major focus of this model is engaging faculty and student services professionals to develop collaborative models that have clearly organized and articulated completion goals, as well as rethinking instruction and student support services in ways that facilitate student learning and success. In this session, we will examine how learning communities can model and support the goals of Guided Pathways. The perspectives of three colleges that are at different points in their Guided Pathways journey will be presented.
Student Assessment in Learning Communities
Click Here to View Webinar
Presenter:
Lauren Bosselait, Associate Director for First Year Experience and Learning Communities, University of Cincinnati
This webinar will provide an overview about the importance of assessment to Learning Communities. Contextual information about the University of Cincinnati’s First Year Experience program and Learning Community comprehensive assessment plan will be shared with the audience, as well as data from current assessment efforts and how the data informs decisions. A question and answer period will be provided during this session.
Presenter:
Lauren Bosselait, Associate Director for First Year Experience and Learning Communities, University of Cincinnati
This webinar will provide an overview about the importance of assessment to Learning Communities. Contextual information about the University of Cincinnati’s First Year Experience program and Learning Community comprehensive assessment plan will be shared with the audience, as well as data from current assessment efforts and how the data informs decisions. A question and answer period will be provided during this session.
The Influence of Learning Communities on First-Generation College Student Persistence and Success
Click Here to View Webinar
Presenters:
Brett Bruner, Director of Transition and Student Conduct, Fort Hays State University
Carla Parra-Martinez, Student Director for New Student Orientation, Fort Hay State University
Kaylie Towles, Graduate Assistant for LAUNCH: Learning Communities, Texas A&M University
Ricardo Zamora, Peer Academic Leader for Go Global! Learning Community, Fort Hays State University
First-generation college students encounter pre-college characteristics that may place them at a disadvantage to their continuing-generation college student peers in relation to their academic and social transition into higher education. Learning communities can provide first-generation college students with a support network and engagement strategies with faculty members that can serve as their foundation to successful college experience. This webinar will provide research from a qualitative study that identified that first-generation college students who participate in a learning community are more than twice as likely to persist to their second year of college. In addition, three first-generation college students who participated in a learning community will share their lived experiences.
Presenters:
Brett Bruner, Director of Transition and Student Conduct, Fort Hays State University
Carla Parra-Martinez, Student Director for New Student Orientation, Fort Hay State University
Kaylie Towles, Graduate Assistant for LAUNCH: Learning Communities, Texas A&M University
Ricardo Zamora, Peer Academic Leader for Go Global! Learning Community, Fort Hays State University
First-generation college students encounter pre-college characteristics that may place them at a disadvantage to their continuing-generation college student peers in relation to their academic and social transition into higher education. Learning communities can provide first-generation college students with a support network and engagement strategies with faculty members that can serve as their foundation to successful college experience. This webinar will provide research from a qualitative study that identified that first-generation college students who participate in a learning community are more than twice as likely to persist to their second year of college. In addition, three first-generation college students who participated in a learning community will share their lived experiences.
