In this edition of the Pew FTLC Newsletter:

Civic Engagement and Voting Rights. While the daylight is longer these days, things around us (cue sweeping hand gesture) are still rather heavy. There is plenty in the news around primaries, future elections, and, well, the future of democracy around the globe. I was delighted to learn of Clemson University’s beautiful “ready-to-deploy" OER collection of syllabi, assignments, and activities related to civic engagement, democracy, and related topics. I hope that, regardless of your discipline, this collection sparks ideas and helps you integrate real-world issues into your courses.  

Great Expectations. I believe that it was the recent news of the Canvas LMS data breach that has taken me down an exploratory path around the role of an LMS and the alignment (or lack thereof) of existing formats and structures with the science of learning. We have been talking in the Pew FTLC about the role of “organization” and the balance of providing too much or too little structure, reminders, etc. As we scaffold learning and promote student agency and responsibility. While I certainly have my own views on the importance of unstructured, nonlinear paths in learning and development, I also place great importance on strengthening shared expectations in the classroom. I have been sitting with Sarah Silverman’s piece, Transparent teaching as an iceberg and her longer blog post on the topic. I greatly appreciate her framing and her point about clarity of expectations being about much more than a syllabus. Providing transparency is actually a process and takes time and intentionality on our part.  

For your consideration. As per usual, here is a grab bag of recently discovered resources, to be used as “light” summer reading, for consideration as you prepare for upcoming courses, or for direct student engagement: 

It is not exactly a secret that we in the Pew FTLC place a high value on both continuous learning and fostering a vibrant community. I am excited about the upcoming opportunities highlighted below, from a brand-new workshop to summer learning communities to fall events. We look forward to supporting you in any way that we can.  

Take good care- 

-Christine  

We invite proposals for presentations/discussions/demonstrations for the 32nd Annual Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning. This year's conference will feature two main session types:

More information about each session type is available on our website. Proposals only require providing the session type, 80 word abstract, and title through this webform. Proposals that involve multiple facilitators, staff and/or students are welcomed and priority will be given to Pew FTLC funded/supported projects.

Session proposals deadline: Friday July 10. Questions? Contact Maggie Goss or the Pew FTLC. 

Don't forget to REGISTER for the 32nd Annual Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning. Registration is OPEN and spots are limited given our new venue. Register TODAY! 

Are you looking for community building opportunities this summer? Consider joining a Summer 2026 Learning Community!

Learning Communities (LCs) bring faculty together for a 1-2 semester-long conversation on a topic of mutual interest and encourage an application of the knowledge gained. Past participants report this experience to be supportive, fun, and restorative! New Summer LCs have been added. You can view the complete list of open LCs by visiting our Current Learning Communities webpage.

Ready to join? Check out some of these options:

Are you feeling like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done? You’re right! And you’re not alone. Faculty life is unique in that you are largely in control of how you spend your time. Unlike other professions with a consistent Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm schedule, faculty have the benefit of being largely in charge of how they spend their time. However, this fringe benefit is also a challenge. Having to decide how you spend your time can easily lead to accepting additional projects when your plate is full, taking too much time to complete certain tasks, and struggling to make progress on your goals, to name a few. 

In this workshop you will learn evidence-based strategies for planning your semester, establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries and role clarity, and exercising conscious control over your activities. Beginning with a short presentation on sustaining meaningful habits (of mind and practice), participants will spend most of the workshop engaged in active goal setting and planning. Led by Dr. Maggie Goss, Assistant Director in the Pew FTLC and Dr. Bradford Dykes, Associate Professor of Statistics and Student Success Data Director in the CLAS Voyage, our goal is to grow this summer workshop into a continuing series offered throughout the academic year. Faculty of all ranks and disciplines are welcome.  

Date and Time: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:00-11:30am

Location: Zumberge Hall 3068, Valley Campus

Lilly Conference-Traverse City, MI

Applications for the Lilly Conference in Traverse City, Michigan will open on July 1, 2026. This is part of FTLC’s selection of conferences available through the Sponsored Teaching and Learning Event Grant. This conference is ideal for early, mid-, or late-career faculty relatively new to the scholarship of teaching and learning. This grant supports the full cost of attendance to the conference.

Apply for this grant beginning July 1, 2026 via the FTLC Grant System. 

Lilly-Traverse City is a part of the overall Lilly Conference Series. For nearly 40 years, Lilly Conferences on College and University Teaching and Learning have provided opportunities for the presentation of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Faculty and administrators at various stages in their academic careers come from across the United States, representing nearly every discipline found in higher education. Visit the Lilly Conference Traverse City webpage for more information.

NOTE: Preference given to first-time attendees and to applicants who have never been awarded a Sponsored Teaching and Learning Event Grant from the FTLC before.  Preference is also given to attendees who will NOT be presenting at this conference.

Climate Change Education Solutions Summit

October 14-15, 2026

Calls for sponsors, speakers, and registration are open for the 8th Annual Climate Change Education Solutions Summit "Ways of Knowing in Climate Change Education." Abstracts are due July 31, 2026 through submission on this webform. Organizations and individuals interested to sponsor are invited to email gpydept@gvsu.edu. We welcome proposals exploring all ways of knowing, especially culturally responsive and socially transformative pedagogies oriented toward climate justice for all, humans and nonhumans alike. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and young scholars are especially encouraged to attend and present their scholarly and creative work.