I’m a crier. I don’t know about you, but tears come easily for me. Whether during a vulnerable conversation with a friend, hearing a certain melody, receiving goodbye hugs from family after a visit, reading a beautiful essay, or even during a dog food commercial, there isn’t much I can do to hold back the tears. Part of why I bring this up is that I have been reading so many things of late touching on the acute challenges our communities are facing. From a firsthand account of the transformative power of education (as part of a New York Times opinion piece that led me to the book, Teacher by Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives) to some of John Warner’s writings about AI, emotions have been close to the surface. While I am certainly moved by ideas, thoughts, lyrics, and the odd ad copy, it is often real actions that get me. One such moment came earlier this week when I saw the amazing Pride Month exhibit at the entrance to the Pew FTLC suite. My team did a beautiful job in crafting celebratory messages, curating resources, and displaying a variety of pride flags. I am deeply grateful for the thoughtful care for community and the focus on learning that comes through in their work. I also really appreciated the recent note from the People, Equity, and Culture Division reminding us that Pride is for everyone. So, if you are in the neighborhood, I invite you to stop by 068 Zumberge Hall to learn more. We also posted a few pictures on LinkedIn (I encourage you to follow us there). I also invite you to learn more about Pride Month and to check out related events on the Experience Grand Rapids website. 

What is the point? When President Haas returned to teaching, I was lucky enough to receive a portion of his extensive library. Last week, I was flipping through a mint first edition of Right from the Start: Managing Your Way to College Success and encountered a brief section entitled, “How You Can Expect to Change.” I have been reflecting on the accompanying list and the implications for how we talk about higher education: Your values will be tested. You will become more sophisticated. Your intellect will be constantly engaged. You will become more self-confident. Your life will become richer and fuller. There is plenty to unpack here and the more I have been reflecting on how crucial it is to speak and act in compelling ways about the purpose of education, well, the tears do in fact well up. I was also touched by a recent Alexandra Mihai post, succinctly describing the purpose of a university as community, as dialogue, and as space. Her inspiring words are worth sitting with and sharing with folks in your spheres. I will note that such shared sense-making is best done face-to-face, not online and certainly not via email. Having spent much of May with in-person meetings, workshops, and Institutes, it has been the human connections that have made (and will continue to make) these efforts so energizing. 

You may notice an underlying theme in the content and format of Pew FTLC offerings being the importance of community, solidarity, trust, and relationships. That is one of the reasons I am so excited about our upcoming Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning. On August 14th, we welcome the scholar Dr. Peter Felten, from Elon University, as our opening keynote presenter, speaking on relationships, connections, and trust. For a bit of a sneak peak, I suggest this piece, Building Trust in the Classroom: A Conceptual Model for Teachers, Scholars, and Academic Developers in Higher Education.  

If you are on campus, in town, or off experiencing an exotic remote location, we are here to assist you. The team is on site and busy readying for the upcoming Fall Conference, the exciting new Digital Literacy Summer Institute taking place later this month, New Faculty Orientation, ongoing Writing Challenges, and more. That said, we always have time for you, so don’t hesitate to reach out. If you are working/thinking/planning at a distance, we can certainly accommodate and also direct you to our Teaching Guides and the newly named resource, the Teaching Professor Digital Library. Prior iterations were called the “20 Minute Mentor Commons” or the “Magna Digital Library,” but while the name has been changed, this collection provides 24/7 access to high-quality content around a wide variety of teaching and faculty career topics. 

Take good care, 

- Christine

Connections are Everything: How Relationships Drive Student Success - Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning featuring Dr. Peter Felten

Thursday, August 14, 2025
8 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.
Eberhard Conference Center

This year's conference will feature two main session types:

This year we are choosing to focus on empowering educational experiences that center human connection and relationships. Particularly, how relationships drive student success. The Annual Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning is a great opportunity to connect with GVSU's vibrant community of educators and learn from fellow colleagues. We invite proposals for presentations/discussions/demonstrations that align with topics for this year's conference. Faculty of all ranks are encouraged to propose a session! 

See our Proposal Call page for more information about each session type. 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.

Registration will be open soon. Visit our Fall Conference webpage for the most up-to-date information.

Session proposals deadline: Friday, July 11. 

Questions? Contact Maggie Goss or the Pew FTLC. 

We cordially invite you to attend the inaugural Digital Literacy Summer Institute to be held June 24-26, 2025. The Summer Institute has been designed to support continued faculty learning with the goal of enhancing digital literacy across Grand Valley State University's curriculum. Building upon the strong foundation of expertise and best practices already in place, we seek to bring together faculty from across the disciplines and experience levels to learn and explore. 

The week begins with a required opening session (Tuesday, June 24, 9am-12pm) that introduces a digital literacy framework and sets the stage for the week's sessions. Optional concurrent sessions on Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday, and Thursday allow participants to select topics to explore more deeply. Participants will engage in hands-on practice and gain insights into how digital literacy platforms and approaches can be effectively integrated into their courses and professional practices. Lunch provided each day. 

Session topics will include:
  • Digital Literacy Framework
  • Digital Citizenship and Ethics
  • AI Introduction and Overview
  • AI and Student Writing
  • AI and Critical Thinking
  • Digital Information Literacy 
  • Online Presentation Assignments
  • Digital Etiquette
  • Digital Approaches to Accessibility
  • Strategies to Support Responsible Student Use of AI 

Additional details will be posted soon on the Summer Institute page, including the final schedule, session descriptions, facilitators, and participant stipend information. The Summer Institute is limited to 80 participants and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration deadline: June 10. 

If you have any questions, please contact us at PewFTLC@gvsu.edu. 

Join us on select Wednesdays this summer for 1.5-hour writing sessions in JHZ 3000 or on Zoom—your choice! Each session includes goal-setting, focused writing time, and a chance to share your progress. Just come with a writing goal!

Dates: 6/4, 6/18, 7/2, 7/16
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM

Bonus: Each session you attend enters you in a book drawing at summer’s end!

New Faculty Orientation – August 6, 7, and 13 (full schedule on our website)

Recognizing that the needs of new faculty who are BRAND NEW to GVSU are different from the needs of faculty who are returning to GVSU or transitioning from one role to another at GVSU (from Visitor to Affiliate, for example), this multi-day orientation is built with optional sessions to allow for differentiation based on the unique circumstances of each new and "new-ish" faculty member.

Orientation will provide a robust overview of what it means to be a part of the GVSU Community. The sessions not only equip you with information that will support your success at GVSU but are also designed with built-in opportunities to meet and engage with GVSU leadership and fellow faculty.  The hope is that you will leave orientation armed with tools, resources, new relationships and supports, and with a better sense of our Laker Community.