University of Utah logo with text below reading “Martha Bradley Evans Center for Teaching Excellence.” The background is black, and the logo is in red and white.
 

Newsletter January 8, 2026
cte.utah.edu

 
alt=
 

Getting Spring Courses Started Right

Graphic titled “Accessibility Essentials” showing an April 24 deadline and a message noting 106 days left to update.

Welcome to 2026 and a fresh semester ahead!

Ready to get the new year started off right?

According to updated Title II regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), educational content that is actively used and made available to students digitally at the University of Utah must meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards by April 24th, 2026.

Learn more about this new rule from the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Not sure where to begin?

CTE has shared a variety of resources for educators here at the U! Check out our Accessibility Essentials site for more information and step-by-step tutorials. Keep an eye on this page for more updates throughout the semester!

ACCESSIBILITY ESSENTIALS FROM CTE

Setting consistent, achievable goals for yourself is key to fully overhauling your courses to reach compliance. To make this simple, we've created a planning template to get you started, too!

DOWNLOAD SUSTAINABLE UPDATE PLAN (.DOCX)

Plus, join CTE and Digital Learning Technologies (DLT) for a series of virtual workshops throughout the semester to discover the latest tips and tricks for accessibility editing!

Flyer promoting Canvas Accessibility Workshops with dates, accessibility topics, University of Utah branding, and a sign-up call to action.
Jan 13
Jan 20
Feb 17
Mar 3
 

Upcoming CTE and Partner Workshops

Flyer for a Graduate Student Instructor workshop titled “Connecting Course Objectives to Assessment and Rubrics,” held January 26 at 3 PM on Zoom, hosted by the University of Utah Center for Teaching Excellence.
Register Here
Flyer for a teaching workshop titled “Tricks, Tips, and Ideas for Implementing AI into Your Teaching,” featuring a robot reading a book, scheduled for February 5 at 11 AM on Zoom, hosted by the University of Utah Center for Teaching Excellence.
Register Here
Flyer for a Sustainability Teaching Workshop on applying for the SUST course attribute, held February 10 from 1–2 PM on Zoom, presented by Dr. Jennifer Watt at the University of Utah.
Register Here
 

ChatGPT EDU Access and Training Information 

The University has approved access to ChatGPT EDUI for all students, faculty, and staff. You can request access to the tool via University IT’s Service Catalog, and you will receive an email with further instructions. 

Read more about Getting Started with ChatGPT EDU, including information about guidelines and training resources. 

Flyer promoting ChatGPT EDU at the University of Utah, advertising a virtual Zoom training on Friday, January 23 at 12:00 PM with instructions for requesting access and signing in with a UMail address.
 

Center for Science and Math Education 

Dr. Natasha Holmes, Cornell University - January 12, 4-5, CSC 206 

Dr. Victor Lee, Stanford University - January 23, 1-2, LSSB E2125

Flyer for the Hugo Rossi Lecture Series featuring Natasha Grace Holmes, discussing GenAI in science education and research, held Monday, January 12 at 4 PM in CSC 206 at the University of Utah.
Flyer for the Hugo Rossi Lecture Series featuring Victor Lee on AI literacy in education, held Friday, January 23 at 1 PM in LSSB E2125 at the University of Utah.
 

Financial Wellness Center

Flyer for the University of Utah Financial Wellness Center’s “Tax Season Kickoff” on January 27, 2026, from 11 AM–1 PM in the Union East Ballroom, featuring free lunch and tax help.
 

Graduate Student Instructor Training in Pedagogy

Almost every department on campus includes graduate student instructors in some way, whether as sole course instructors, TAs, lab section leaders, or other roles. Did you know that CTE offers graduate student training in pedagogy? We offer a 15-credit online graduate certificate in Teaching in Higher Education, and most of those courses can be taken individually. Courses are offered fall and spring. 

In Spring, our course offerings include a graduate special topics seminar in Teaching with AI. Spots are still open!

Flyer titled “Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education” from the University of Utah’s Martha Bradley Evans Center for Teaching Excellence. Describes a flexible online program open to graduate students preparing for higher education teaching positions. Lists four core courses: CTLE 6000 Teaching in Higher Education, CTLE 6200 Equitable Teaching in Higher Education, CTLE 6510 Cyber Pedagogy, and CTLE 6800 Teaching Practicum in Higher Education (each 3 credits). Includes a special topic course, CTLE 6960 Teaching with AI, available Spring 2026. Notes that courses taken before Fall 2024 may count toward the certificate. QR code and website for more information.
 

Digital Learning Technologies

Join us for Tech Tips Tuesday! Every other week features Canvas or Accessibility related tools, and Adobe Express Learning Kit, you can use in your teaching or personal projects. Check out the schedule and drop in for the topics that inspire you!

Schedule flyer for “Tech Tips Tuesday” Spring 2026 workshops at the University of Utah, held Tuesdays from 12–1 PM on Zoom, featuring weekly topics on Canvas, accessibility, Adobe Learning Kits, and instructional tools.
Register Here

Community Engaged Faculty Award Nominations Now Open

Nominations are now open for the Public Service Professorship and Distinguished Faculty Service Award. Faculty are invited to apply for the following awards recognizing research, excellence in the classroom, and passion for strengthening communities. Apply by February 1, 2026.

Public Service Professorship

The Public Service Professorship award is designed to help a faculty member strengthen community-engaged learning experiences and opportunities tied to civic engagement and also foster stronger partnerships with the local community. It is open to all faculty members at the University of Utah. The prize funds of $7,500 may be used in any way that enables the recipient to carry out the proposed project. Applications due February 1, 2026.

Distinguished Faculty Service Award

The Distinguished Faculty Service Award honors faculty members who have demonstrated sustained commitment to the campus-community connection through a life of active, unpaid community service and the integration of service with research and teaching. Dr. David and Susan Jabusch generously donate $1,000 to the non-profit community organization of the award winner's choice. Applications due February 1, 2026.

Linda K. Amos Award: Nominations Open

NOMINATION DEADLINE: JAN 31

Know someone who champions women at the University of Utah? 💐 The University of Utah Chapter of Utah Women in Higher Education Network (UWHEN) invites nominations for the Linda K. Amos Award for Distinguished Service to Women, honoring a faculty or staff member whose work has advanced equity and opportunity for women at the University of Utah. The awardee will be recognized at the Women’s Week Awards Dinner on March 5, and the top five nominees will be invited to attend the dinner.

Flyer announcing the Linda K. Amos Award for Distinguished Service to Women at the University of Utah, featuring a portrait of Linda K. Amos, award details, eligibility criteria, and a QR code with a January 31, 2026 nomination deadline.
Nominate here!

Upcoming Funding Deadlines

University  Teaching Grants

January 26, and March 6

 
 
 

295 S 1500 E | Salt Lake City , UT 84112 US

Manage your preferences | Opt Out
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

This email was sent to kara.gross@utah.edu.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.