2025 Summer Development OpportunitiesAll sessions are free unless otherwise noted.

Summer 2025 Faculty Development Opportunities

Select the link above to see a chronological list of summer devleopment opportunities. Registration is required to attend and space is limited for Camp Kendall, so don't wait!

First Term Seminar Workshop
Facilitated by Thia Cooper (REL, FTS Director)
Monday, May 12 - Wednesday, May 14 (9:00-4:00 pm)
These sessions are required for all faculty teaching FTS for the first time in Fall 2025. Sessions I, II, and III are required for all faculty teaching FTS in Fall 2025, who have not attended an FTS workshop since 2022 (except those who taught FTS in Fall 2024). Other faculty who want to or who do teach FTS are also welcome to any of the sessions.

Monday, May 12
Morning (9:00 am -12:00 pm) - FTS Session I: The first session of this workshop introduces the FTS program. It focuses on the simplified goals and SLOs, passed by the faculty last year, and provides an overview of the basics of teaching an FTS. 
Afternoon (1:00-4:00 pm) - FTS Session II: This session of the workshop focuses on the Academic Knowledge SLOs and how to successfully integrate They Say/I Say into the course.

Tuesday, May 13
Morning (9:00 am - 12:00 pm) - Choose from the following Camp Kendall workshops: AI 101, Putting AI to Work For You, Cultivate Belonging
Afternoon (1:00-4:00 pm) - FTS Session III: This session of the workshop focuses on the Advising Skills SLOs and provides an introduction to the Peer MALT Advising Curriculum.

Wednesday, May 14
 Morning (9:00 am - 12:00 pm) - Choose from the following Camp Kendall workshops: Creative Assignments with AI, Course Design with AI
Afternoon (1:00-4:00 pm) - FTS Session IV: The final session of this workshop provides guidance for and time to begin building or revising an FTS syllabus. 

Introduction to Challenge Seminar
Facilitated by Laura Burrack (BIO, Challenge Seminar Director)
Wednesday, May 14 (1:00-4:00 pm)
This workshop will include practical tips on scaffolding assignments, advice on helping students collaborate effectively, and example assignments and syllabi for Challenge Seminars. There will be time to work on your own course as well as get feedback and advice from others. 

AI 101: An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Facilitated by Jared Land (T/D), Laurie Land (T/D), and Sun Hee Lee (ENG)
Offered Tuesday, May 13 (9:00-12:00) and Tuesday, August 19 (9:00-12:00)
This hands-on workshop is designed to introduce faculty to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) and explore how it might be used in teaching, research, and everyday work. Aimed at those with little to no prior experience with AI, the session will cover key concepts such as machine learning, natural language processing, and prompt writing, breaking down complex ideas into accessible, practical terms. The course will also discuss common AI programs, how to access them, potential costs, and pros and cons of similar models. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a solid foundational knowledge of AI and feel more confident in navigating this rapidly evolving field. Co-sponsored by the Gustavus Humanities Endowment

Designing Creative Assignments with AI 
Facilitated by Kate Aguilar (HIS) and Jillian Downey (MCS)
Offered Wednesday, May 14 (9:00-12:00) and Wednesday, August 20 (9:00-12:00)
This workshop will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to create assignments across a range of disciplines, as well as provide examples of assignments that challenge students to use AI themselves. This workshop is aimed at faculty who are familiar with AI and are interested in practical strategies for using it within assignment creation. The workshop will also cover ways to incorporate AI into assignments that involve interdisciplinary thinking, collaborative projects, and real-world problem-solving. Faculty should come with an old assignment or an assignment idea that they wish to revamp with the help of AI. Co-sponsored by the Gustavus Humanities Endowment 

Putting AI to Work for You
Facilitated by Lisa Dembouski (EDU)
Offered Tuesday, May 13 (9:00-12:00 and Tuesday, August 19 (9:00-12:00)
For as young as AI is, it sure is growing at a gallop: Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, Latimer, Apple Intelligence, Perplexity, Drift, Colleague, Brisk, Notebook, EduAide, Grammarly and so many others, with new platforms being developed practically every time you turn around, it’s hard to know which tool is best for what you want it to do. That’s where this session comes in. Geared toward “Beginner-mediate” AI users (or beginners who don’t spook easily and/or feel comfortable with AI prompting), this session will introduce you to a variety of different AI platforms, some of the basics of how they work, and what they’re good at. Then you’ll be given guided work time to explore the tools that interest you based on your professional goals for using AI. You’ll get to experiment with those tools of interest (such as giving the same prompt to different platforms and noting differences in what they produce), with a goal of leaving the session with a better idea of what tools are available and how they can work for your specific needs. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring tasks for which they’d like to try using AI. Co-sponsored by the Gustavus Humanities Endowment. 

Course Design and AI
Facilitated by Sarah Ruble (REL) and Rachel Flynn (LIB)
Offered Wednesday, May 14 (9:00-12:00) and Wednesday, August 20 (9:00-12:00)
This workshop will guide faculty through the process of using AI to design or redesign courses using the principles of backward design. Aimed at faculty who are familiar with AI but have limited experience applying it to course development, the session will demonstrate how AI tools can support the creation of course objectives, assessments, assignment guidelines, and learning activities that align with desired outcomes. Ethical considerations, including maintaining academic rigor and the role of AI in fostering authentic learning, will also be addressed to ensure thoughtful and intentional course development.

Small Change, Big Impact: Course Hacks to Cultivate Belonging
Facilitated by Julie Bartley (EGE) and members of the Inclusive Excellence Project
Offered Tuesday, May 13 (9:00-12:00) only
Students of all backgrounds do better in courses when they feel like they belong. Many inclusive practices are relatively easy to adopt in a course and make a big difference in students’ sense of inclusion and belonging. This workshop will explore strategies to cultivate and communicate a growth mindset, increase transparency, and structure courses with inclusion in mind. Workshop participants will walk away with at least one redesigned activity or course material. Co-sponsored by the Inclusive Excellence Project.

Multilingual and Multi-Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning
Facilitated by Romina Peña-Pincheira (EDU)
Offered Tuesday, August 19 (9:00-12:00) only
This workshop will provide strategies, knowledge, and resources to support faculty, instructor, staff, and mentors in considering and responding to all linguistic skills by creating accessible learning and social spaces at Gustavus and beyond. Co-sponsored by the Inclusive Excellence Project.

Developing Your Professional Statement (Part 1): Finding Your Voice
Facilitated by Scott Bur (CHE)
Offered Wednesday, May 14, 2025 (9:00-12:00) onlyGustavus uses a version of the Three-Voice model for summative faculty reviews. In this model, data is collected from three areas, or voices: self, peer, and student. Focusing on self-voice, this workshop will help participants structure and write their professional statements for tenure, promotion, or annual reviews. Participants will reflect on and articulate the motivations and values that drive their teaching, explore how inclusive teaching strengthens professional narratives, and provide structured writing time and peer feedback to refine statements. Participants in Part 1 are strongly encouraged to also register for Part 2 (offered in August). Co-sponsored by the Inclusive Excellence Project.

Developing Your Professional Statement (Part 2): Evidence of Excellence
Facilitated by Julie Bartley (EGE) and Janie Frandsen (BMB, BIO, CHE)
Offered Wednesday, August 20 (9:00-12:00)
Gustavus uses a version of the Three-Voice Model for summative faculty reviews. In this model, evidence comes from three sources, or voices: self, peer, and student. This workshop builds on the foundation developed in the May professional statement workshop to help participants develop strategies for incorporating peer and student voices into their professional statements for tenure, promotion, or formal reviews. Participants will explore ways to use peer observations and student reflections as evidence of inclusive, effective teaching. The workshop will provide structured writing time and peer feedback. Faculty are welcome to participate in this workshop even if they did not participate in the Part 1 workshop in May. Co-sponsored by the Inclusive Excellence Project.

Department Chairs and Program Directors Workshop: The Essentials 
Facilitated by Pam Conners (Provost’s Office)
Offered Tuesday, May 13 (1:00-3:00 pm) only
This workshop is designed to help you settle into your role as department chair or program director, whether you are new to the role or returning. We'll discuss practical strategies for key responsibilities such as scheduling, managing departmental resources, and facilitating meetings. This is also a chance to learn from fellow chairs/directors, share insights, and build a supportive community to help you navigate challenges and opportunities that arise. A free copy of The New Department Chair will be provided.

Department Chairs and Program Directors Workshop: Developing Faculty as Leaders
Facilitated by Pam Conners (Provost’s Office)
Offered Tuesday, August 19 (1:00-4:00 pm) only
This workshop offers strategies for enhancing your leadership abilities, with a special emphasis on fostering trust and clear communication. We'll explore how to become a more effective listener and build stronger relationships with your colleagues. You'll also benefit from the experiences and lessons learned by faculty who participated in The Clareo Group's Inclusive Leadership workshop. Designed primarily for department chairs, program directors, and committee leaders, but open to all.