May 2026 Teaching and Learning Days
Teaching and Learning Days will run May 12-14th in Seacobeck Hall and the HCC. The schedule is available at the CfT website and registration will run through Thursday, May 7th at 5:00 pm. Join us to pick up new ideas for summer and fall classes as well as a bit of socializing with colleagues. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available throughout the day in the Seacobeck Dome Room on May 12th and May 13th.
🎲 Call for Submissions: The Pedagogy Playground
Before we disappear into summer and as the semester winds down, you’re invited to share and reflect on the joyful side of your classroom at this year’s Pedagogy Playground during May Teaching & Learning Day (May 13th). This year’s Pedagogy Playground is focused on playful moments. We are looking for faculty to share the games, simulations, and tactile activities that make their classrooms and learning FUN.
If you missed last year’s playground, this session is not a traditional “presentation.”
- The Setup: 5-6 tables, each hosted by a faculty member.
- The Rotation: Attendees will visit your table for 10–12 minute bursts.
- The Plan: You share your activity and engage in quick, relaxed dialogue. Then, the timer dings, and a new group arrives. Bring any props with you that you use in class (LEGO, dice, a deck of cards, play-dough, a handout, etc.) and have fun!
If you’re interested in sharing an activity, game, simulation, a playful strategy, or something else, OR if you want to chat about an idea, please email Elizabeth at ejohnso6@umw.edu
CfT Summer Small Teaching Grants: Applications Closing!
Applications for the CfT Summer Small Teaching Grants close today, April 3rd, at 5:00 pm. Ten $1000 grants will be awarded to faculty for either a stipend or materials. Information about the grant can be found at the Summer Small Teaching Grant page on the CfT website.
Preference for funding is given to faculty who have not received CfT Summer Small Teaching Grant funding for the past two summers—if you have not applied before or have been on the fence, get in your application!
Faculty Pedagogy Colloquium
“Designing Interactive Simulations with Chatbots” with Melissa Wells (Education)
Tuesday, April 7th from 12:30 – 1:30 pm in CRUC 314 (note non-Seacobeck location!)
Registration has closed to reserve a lunch, but all faculty and staff are welcome to attend!
Come learn about successes and challenges of programming an AI chatbot to give students practice with applying course content. This presentation will include results from Dr. Wells’ Summer 2025 Small Teaching Grant.
Scheduling change
Samira Fallah’s presentation, “The Impact of Students’ Mindset on Job Search Behaviors,” originally scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th will be rescheduled for Fall 2026. Watch future First Friday posts for the new day and time.
No Time to Read: More than Words (Chapters 7-9)
No Time to Read moves into chapters 7-9 of John Warner’s More Than Words for April. Join us for either the online or in-person meetups–and all are welcome, whether you have the book or not!
- Online: Thursday, April 16th at 3:30 pm via Zoom
- In-Person: Friday, April 17th at 9:00 am in Seacobeck 128
CfT March Group Meetings
- Book Authors Group: Every Friday at 3:30 pm via Zoom (contact Brenta Blevins or Zach Whalen for the link)
A special congratulations to Book Author group member Marissa Miller (Director, Center for Education and Prevention) who successfully defended her dissertation on March 20th! Congratulations to Dr. Miller!!!
- New Faculty Monthly Meetup: Wednesday, April 8th at 4:00 pm in Seacobeck 128. This month is the first part of the two-part advising training offered through Academic Services. Reach out to Elizabeth if you have a conflict!
Center for Teaching Updates and Reminders
- We’ve moved! The CfT office has moved again. We are still in Seacobeck Hall, but now in Room 104. If you enter Seacobeck Hall from College Avenue, we are tucked into a suite before the elevator on your right.
- Consultations: CfT is a 12-month office and provides support to faculty throughout the year. Don’t forget that you can book in-person and online consultations about any teaching project or class using our online scheduler.
Reimagining the Liberal Arts in the Age of AI Conference: July 21-23, 2026
Early bird registration for the Reimagining the Liberal Arts in the Age of AI Conference is now open! Three keynote speakers will anchor lively discussions and workshops about how liberal arts classrooms can respond to the growing social and economic influence of AI. More information can be found at the conference website.
UMW faculty and staff may register at a discounted rate. Contact Victoria Russell at vrussel3@umw.edu for the registration code. The code cannot be applied retroactively to registrations.
The Reimagining the Liberal Arts in the Age of AI Conference is organized by faculty and staff at the University of Mary Washington.
- Krystyn Moon, Professor-History & American Studies (Planning Committee Co-Chair)
- Victoria Russell, Director-Center for Teaching & Associate Professor-Education (Planning Committee Co-Chair)
- Brenta Blevins, Associate Professor-English and Linguistics
- Amy Filiatreau, University Librarian-Simpson Library
- Maya Mathur, Professor-English and Linguistics
- Suzanne Nguyen, Senior Lecturer-Chemistry & Physics
- Anand Rao, Director-Center for AI in the Liberal Arts & Professor-Communication and Digital Studies
- Jerry Slezak, Director-Digital Learning Support
Campus Partner Updates and News
Approaching Digital Accessibility Deadline
As a reminder, the Title II digital accessibility compliance deadline is April 24, 2026. All instructional materials used with students should meet accessibility requirements by this date.
Over the next few weeks, Digital Accessibility Weekly post will focus on practical tips for teaching accessibly during the summer. You can find all past posts on the Digital Accessibility Updates & Tips page.
For more information, visit the Digital Accessibility Resources for Faculty page to access guides and book an accessibility consultation. Questions about Title II compliance can be directed to the Title II Team at t2access@umw.edu.
Research and Creativity Collaborative
Research and Creativity Day Symposium April 24th
We are celebrating the 20th anniversary with a week of activities this year, featuring special events, departmental symposia, and culminating in the oral and poster sessions held in the HCC on the last Friday of classes.
Registration is open and continues through April 15.
- Students may submit their projects for presentation at morning oral panels or the midday poster session directly on our website: umwrcd.net
- Departments: email information about your events for inclusion on the calendar to Betsy Lewis, elewis@umw.edu.
New this year:
- Opening reception April 20th , 4:00pm in the Research and Creativity Collaborative space, Simpson Library, honoring John Morello, Grant Woodwell, and Ana Chichester, who brought the idea of celebrating student research and creativity to campus, and made it what it is today.
- Certificates for participants in the HCC oral and poster presentation session 4/24
Workshops to Prep for Research and Creativity events
Please share with your students:
April 7: Scientific Poster Design workshop. 4:00pm, RCC space, Simpson Library. Space is limited, sign up here: Scientific Poster Design Workshop – Fill out form
April 8: Slides for Oral Presentations Design workshop. 4:00pm, RCC space, Simpson Library. Space is limited, sign up here: Slides for Oral Presentations Design workshop. – Fill out form
April 13: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Poster Design Workshop. 2:00pm, RCC space, Simpson Library. Space is limited, sign up here: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Poster Design Workshop – Fill out form
April 23: Poster Printing Palooza. 6-7pm. RCC space, Simpson Library. Sign up here: Poster Printing Palooza – Fill out form
Students can learn about these and other events on the RCC website.
Summer Research Programs
The Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Summer Institute (AHSSSI) May 18-June17.
The Irene Piscopo Rodgers Summer Science Institute (SSI) May 18-July 22.
SAVE THE DATES:
- AHSSSI Symposium: Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
- SSI Symposium: July 22, 2026
See Your Students Featured on the Beyond the Classroom blog
Read posts on student work in economics and earth and environmental science:
- “UMW Econ Students Present on DUI Offense Prevention at NYC Conference”
- “Students present their research on fossils and climate conditions in Scotland”
Submit a brief blurb and some photos of your research students in action today!!
It’s almost here!
We wish you the best as we begin to wrap up not just the spring semester, but also another academic year. Whether you are looking for quick, end-of-the-semester encouragement or ideas for the fall and beyond, reach out any time.
The final First Friday for the 2025-2026 academic year will be posted on Friday, May 1st.