Need a Quiet Space?
You are welcome to access a vacant classroom and any of the common student learning spaces around campus. There is also a dedicated Contemplation Room that members of the BCIT community may use. This room is located on the 3rd floor of SE2 by the BCIT Student Association offices. Please notify the front desk you would like to use the room. The room can be used for a break, meditation and reflection.
Nourishment
Breakfast will not be served. PD Day will provide coffee and tea during the morning break session. We encourage you to bring your own refillable beverage container so that you can refill and remain hydrated throughout the day.
A complimentary BBQ lunch will be served outdoors (weather permitting) from 12:45 pm to 2:30 pm. All employees will need to show their BCIT ID. Please come prepared for the outdoor weather, sunglasses and a hat for sun protection or a light sweater for a breezy day.
Please indicate on your online registration if you have any dietary restrictions.
|
General
|
Education
|
Technology
|
Well-Being
|
Work
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8:30 am - 10:00 am |
Opening Session and Keynote Address: A Village to Support Student Success
At BCIT, every one of us has the chance to make a difference in student success through our work, teaching, services, and even those spontaneous moments when we offer help to a lost-looking student. Presenters: Room: Gymnasium - SE16 Presenters: Kathi Hemphill Camilleri
Room: Gymnasium - SE16
|
||||||
|
10:00 am - 10:15 am |
Break
|
||||||
|
10:15 am - 11:00 am (Block A - 45 min) |
|
|
Lost in the Halls: First Day Dilemma (Escape Room #4)
The ever-popular BCIT Library Escape Room returns for a fourth challenge! Join with your friends or on your own as you form a team to solve the logic puzzles in time to find your class on the first day of school. This entertaining, fast-paced adventure will fill up quickly! Presenters: Room: SE2 - Town Square D Presenters: Alison Griffin & Deirdre Grace
Stress and Resiliency Among SOB+M Students
Results from research conducted by Marketing Management students in the Fall of 2024 into the issue of stress and resiliency among students of the School of Business + Media's full-time, 2-year diploma programs. Levels and sources of stress, personal actions taken to deal with stress, reaction to services currently offered by the Institute to help students deal with stress, and suggested changes/additions to current Institute offerings were all addressed in this study. Presenters: Room: SE6 - 230 Presenters: Tom Jopling
The Joy of Hammock Camping
Do you hate sleeping on the ground on an uncomfortable mattress when camping? Would you rather to sleep in real comfort? Come learn how amazingly dreamy it is to experience the joy of hammock camping. Presenters: Room: Pine grove south of SW3, between SE12 and SW5 Presenters: Chris Wiebe
|
Using Microsoft Teams as part of a secure document workflow
This session will cover the process for requesting a team, explain why teams are created and populated the way they are, discuss the role Microsoft Teams plays in the lifecycle of a document, demonstrate some of the functionality of Microsoft Teams and explain what's coming next to improve security and manageability. Presenters: Room: SE6 - 112 Presenters: Fraser Robertson
Help Shape BCIT’s Academic Quality Framework
An Academic Quality Framework communicates to students, industry, and the wider community BCIT’s commitment to quality educational experiences and relevant outcomes. It highlights a culture of continuous improvement to our programs and guides the policies and procedures to support these goals. In this interactive session, the Academic Planning and Quality Assurance team (APQA) is seeking your input. Participants will participate in groups to discuss questions such as: “How do we achieve, measure, and ensure quality learning experiences?” and “What are indicators of quality programs”. Your input will be used to shape a Academic Quality Framework at BCIT. Presenters: Room: NW04 - 2084 Presenters: Joan Pascual & Carol Friedrich Fong
Sharing your story through BCIT’s official communication platforms
Hosted by the BCIT Communications team at MarComm, this session will walk you through the different ways you can tell your story using BCIT's official communication platforms. You'll learn what makes a story newsworthy, how to work with the Communications team to get your story across, and tips to apply these skills to your own channels. We will walk through a relevant case study together, and participants will also engage in a mini-interview session with their peers to apply their storytelling skills. Who should attend: BCIT faculty and staff who are leading projects, events, research, or initiatives they'd like to highlight and share with the wider community. Takeaways: Understanding BCIT’s communication channels and their audiences How to identify and shape a compelling story The process for submitting and collaborating with the Communications team at MarComm Presenters: Room: SE6 - 206 Presenters: Judith Suryanto, Amy Chen, Therese Guieb & Amy Chui
|
|||
|
10:15 am - 11:45 am (Block B - 90 min) |
Block B sessions overlap with Blocks A & C |
Integrating Sustainability into Curriculum: How to Get Started
Are you interested in climate change or other sustainability issues? Do you sometimes wish you could teach it, even if you aren’t sure how or if it fits into your curriculum? Or are you a non instructor who would like to be inspired by how BCIT employees are elevating sustainability in education? Join this session to find out what’s already happening in sustainability at BCIT; how frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals are being applied in courses like business, technical communications, and chemistry; what related resources are available for faculty; and how you can apply it all to your own teaching or education journey. This session will be part presentation and part workshop. Faculty and staff from Institute Sustainability, Campus Planning and Facilities, School of Business, and School of Computing and Academic Studies will share some of their work, followed by an active learning session to help you get started on integrating sustainability concepts into your curriculum. Presenters: Supplies: Room: NW04 - 1078 Presenters: Christina Olsen, Amy Cheung, Ben Hill, Jimmy Lowe, Mary Ho & Matthew Rockall
Gen Z at Work: Everything Everywhere All at Once – From Anxiety to Adaptability
As Gen Z enter the workforce, many are facing unique challenges in finding their footing and building career confidence. Employers report growing concerns about anxiety, resilience, and adaptability among new hires, while students express uncertainty and stress when transitioning from education to employment. Join us for a dynamic panel discussion to gain insights into the emerging issues faced by the next generation of workers. Our panel of experts will share firsthand experiences and discuss strategies to support students in building resilience and confidence as they prepare for their careers. Discover practical approaches to integrating career readiness into your teaching and learn how to foster a supportive environment that helps students navigate career anxiety and embrace opportunities with greater self-assurance. Whether you’re looking to understand the root causes of this trend or seeking tools to better equip your students, this session will provide valuable perspectives and actionable strategies. Presenters: Room: NW04 - 2020 Presenters: Earl Anderson
Teaching astronomy inside a planetarium.
A planetarium presents a model of a larger realm. An effective educator must switch from a model to the real in their presentations. This session will show how this is achieved with the use of visual metaphors that develop understandings of astronomy. It can be applied in other settings as well. Presenters: Room: Planetarium B732 SW3 Presenters: Bill Burnyeat
Kaltura: Unlocking the Potential of Video and Media in Online Learning.
Kaltura is a powerful media service integrated within the BCIT Learning Hub, providing faculty and staff with a dynamic tool to enhance their online course delivery. It enables the creation of both short- and long-form asynchronous content while offering easy-to-use editing features for Instructors. With Kaltura’s quiz functionality, instructors can seamlessly integrate assessments that sync with the Learning Hub's grading system. Additionally, Kaltura can be embedded into Learning Hub discussions or assignments, further enriching the online learning experience for students. Presenters: Room: SE6 106 Presenters: Diego Estevez
|
|
Drop in: Test ride an ebike & learn some basic bike fixes
We are hoping to provide an opportunity for those that are interested in getting started with biking but feel unprepared to test out ebikes in a safe way. Biking has a number of health, wellbeing and environmental benefits and this supports our mission to green up our commute. Presenters: Room: SW01 Main Entrance Presenters: Britta Schmidt, Joe Boyd & Leesa Watts
Learning Tai Chi with a Very Short Form
Tai chi is a fun, relaxing way for people to encourage good health and mindful thinking. But learning tai chi can take a long time. There are so many forms to learn, from the "beginner" 24 Yang form, to the much longer 108 form, not to mention sword, fan, and other weapon forms. This participatory PD session is an introduction to tai chi for people who have little to no experience. We will start with the basics of tai chi (balance, stances, hip and arm movements) then go through the beginning moves taken from the beginning of the Yang 24 Form. From these basics participants can have a short daily form to practice, or decide to go on and learn other forms of tai chi, here at BCIT or anywhere else convenient. Presenters: Supplies: Room: NW04 Atrium Presenters: Alan Stewart
Activating Student Wellbeing: Panel Discussion and Knowledge Sharing
Many employees impact a student’s educational journey. Navigating life as an international student comes with unique challenges, but these experiences can also be stepping stones to global career success. This session explores key strategies staff and faculty can employ, to help students thrive academically, build strong networks, and leverage mentorship for career growth. Learn how resilience, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication can shape professional growth. Presenters: Room: NW04 - 1076 Presenters: Yuna Chen, Donna Turner & Sanam Kumar
Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence
BCIT employees may be the first point of contact for students or colleagues who have experienced sexism, sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other sexual violence. This workshop aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide a trauma-informed response, and to maintain one's own wellbeing in the process. -Examine the complex roots of sexual violence -Explore how sexual violence may show up in BCIT learning and work environments -Identify barriers and concerns to consider before intervening -Describe and apply an active bystander model -Practice trauma-informed responses to disclosures of sexual violence -Understand BCIT supports and procedures related to sexual violence, including reporting options Presenters: Room: SE6 - 208 Presenters: Krista Lambie, Carmen Cottini & Leah Gobin
Headset Safety
Workers who wear headsets as part of their regular work interacting with students and colleagues. Anyone wanting more information and possible guidance on hearing issues not in noise. Related topics on ear health, hearing loss prevention and acoustic wellness. Presenters: Room: NW04 - 2021 Presenters: Jeannette Chandia
Thrillers and suspense: a writing workshop
This is a participatory workshop where writers learn to add suspense to their narrative, in crime stories, thrillers, or mysteries. The session provides a mash-up of an open mic, a writing community huddle, and a creative writing workshop. Those attending the session would learn to get more confident in their writing, more comfortable reading out loud, as well as gain some skills in their craft. It’s a non-competitive environment where people can develop their voice and their stories, talk to other lovers of writing, and find new inspirations. There will be prizes and there will be lots of applause to keep things positive and fun. The real-world application would be to get cracking on their story, putting ideas to paper, and bringing it to life. Everyone has a story in them, and we confront mysteries in the world every day. Fiction (and creative non-fiction) writing can be a therapeutic way to make a story out of the events and emotions that have occurred in our lives. Presenters: Supplies: Room: SE6 - 204 Presenters: Jackie Howard
|
Violence Prevention: Prevention and De-escalation
Any employee who works with students or the public. Takeaways are learning the CARE principles: Calm - maintain calm Acknowledge - acknowledge where people are coming from Recognize - recognize when people are becoming upset or anxious Ensure - ensure yourself and others are safe Real world applications would be anytime that the employee is working with a student or public and there is the potential for violence or aggressive behaviour Presenters: Supplies: Room: SE6 - 205 Presenters: Anna Matheson & Joanna Angelidis
Paddling Together
In this experiential session, participants will have the opportunity to deeply explore personal and organizational roles that support the revival of making workplaces more like a ‘Village’. Together, participants will vision and commit to goals with a focus on creating a path forward. This workshop will build upon ideas introduced in BCIT’s keynote session, A Village to Support Student Success. Attendees can expect to walk away with a deeper understanding of who at stepping more fully into reconciliation involves and: Leave with a vision of reconciliation, create some goals and objectivves on how to step more fully into reconciliation, have a deeper understanding of the United national Declaration on the Rights of Indigeous People and the Truth and Reconciliaion Commissioon of Canada's Calls to Action, and their applicion to work at BCIT. Presenters: Room: SE2 - Town Square A Presenters: Kathi Camilleri
|
||
|
11:00 am - 12:15 pm |
Nutrition Break
Coffee and Tea will be served |
||||||
|
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (Block C - 45 min) |
|
|
Lost in the Halls: First Day Dilemma (Escape Room #4)
The ever-popular BCIT Library Escape Room returns for a fourth challenge! Join with your friends or on your own as you form a team to solve the logic puzzles in time to find your class on the first day of school. This entertaining, fast-paced adventure will fill up quickly! Presenters: Room: SE2 - Town Square D Presenters: Alison Griffin & Deirdre Grace
Academic Concessions: Resources for Addressing Students' Special Requests
Faculty members often receive requests from students for academic concessions when unexpected situations or circumstances prevent students from attending class, completing assignments, or taking exams. This interactive workshop: Presenters: Room: SE6 - 211 Presenters: Jennifer Lingbaoan & Nicole Greene
From International Student to Global Professional: Strategies for Success
Navigating life as an international student comes with unique challenges, but these experiences can also be stepping stones to global career success. This session explores key strategies for thriving academically, building strong networks, and leveraging mentorship for career growth. Learn how resilience, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication can shape your professional journey. Who Would Benefit from Attending This Session? Presenters: Room: SE6 - 230 Presenters: Justine Rukeba
|
Organizing Democracy in Your Department
Leaning on best practices developed through years of workplace training, Matt Greaves and guest(s) will discuss how best to foster democratic decision-making in your Department. Presenters: Room: NW04 - 2084 Presenters: Matt Greaves
|
|||
|
12:15 pm - 1:00 pm (Block D - 45 min) |
Zero Textbook Cost: Saving Students, One Class at a Time
Join us for an interactive workshop on Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) - a growing initiative at BCIT aimed at eliminating textbook costs for students through the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) and other free content, including library materials. In this session, you’ll learn: Presenters: Room: SE6 - 104 Presenters: Ian Linkletter
Intro to Associate Certificate in Polytechnic Teaching
Join us to learn about the POLY program at BCIT. The Associate Certificate in Polytechnic Teaching is a 17 credit, 6-course program that provides a pathway for instructors to builds their skills as educators. In this session you'll learn more about the program - who it's for, how long it takes, what are the courses and what are the benefits of this training. Presenters: Room: SE6 - 205 Presenters: Michele Bridge, Simon Heslup
Equity Walkthrough Assignments: IDEAS in Action in Specialty Nursing Education
At BCIT, inclusivity and equity are clear priorities, but operationalizing these ideas into practical activities can be challenging. Faculty and others who are interested in creating concrete educational activities to addressing inclusivity and equity, particularly in healthcare education, will be introduced to the Specialty Nursing Department's Equity Walk-Through assignments, which are a concrete educational approach that can be adapted for classroom, simulation, and clinical contexts. These assignments can be tailored to the unique practice context of each learner, and can be expanded into major summative assignments or utilized for learning through reflection and dialogue in other settings. Presenters: Room: NW04 - 2021 Presenters: Michelle House-Kokan, Farah Jetha, Megan Veenstra, Anna Paraninfi & Amy Kary
Academic Integrity: A Panel Discussion
There are a wide range of factors making the advancement of academic integrity increasingly complex. This panel features BCIT faculty and staff with expertise, experience, and interest in promoting academic integrity and responding to academic misconduct. Topics such as course design, technology, BCIT procedures, and more will be explored. Presenters: Room: SE6 - 202 Presenters: Krista Lambie
|
|
|
Changing Course: The Program Review process at BCIT
How do we ensure our programs remain current, meeting the needs of students, industry, and stakeholders? BCIT has robust processes to support programs and instructors to create quality learning experiences, including Program Review. Program reviews gather feedback from all stakeholders, helping programs navigate and respond to changes in technology, student learning styles, and industry needs. This session will go over the why, when, and how of the Program Review process and subsequent program changes. It will give examples of outcomes from the program review process. This session will be useful for those who will be participating in the program review process in the future, or those who are interested in how programs are continuously improved at BCIT. Presenters: Room: SE6 - 207 Presenters: Joan Pascual & Carol Friedrich-Fong
Partnerships with Electric Vehicle Training
This session showcases advancements in training future EV technicians and the cutting-edge equipment shaping this rapidly evolving field. Our goal is to build connections across BCIT, engaging departments that support or could benefit from our curriculum. We also aim to explore opportunities for collaboration, leveraging expertise from across BCIT to bridge gaps in this emerging technology. How can students in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical apprenticeship programs benefit from this training? And how can we create clear pathways for those in EV courses to transition into other programs at BCIT? Presenters: Supplies: Room: N16 - EV lab Presenters: Naveen Jit & Jim Berladyn
|
|||
|
12:15 pm - 1:45 pm (Block E - 90 min) |
Block E sessions overlap with Block D |
Let's Make A Game!
The goal of this PD session is to talk a little bit about using games to make teaching a little bit more fun and engaging. Games can be used to answer complicated questions like "What is it you do at BCIT?" and "Explain to me how this works?". All that is required is subject matter expertise. For the majority of the session we will go through the process of building a game where participants can give ideas and suggestions as well as create cards and other components for the game. Hopefully with this exercise, participants will be encouraged to create their own games to share with their students and colleagues. Presenters: Room: SE6 - 109 Presenters: Alan Stewart
Using a Universal Design Lens: Strengthening Accessibility and Inclusion
Instructors play a key role in shaping accessible and inclusive learning environments, and small design choices can make a meaningful difference. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) offers a practical framework to help reduce barriers, promote accessibility, and support the success of all students. In this session, instructors will explore how applying a UDL lens can guide their course design and delivery, supporting both their teaching goals and BCIT's commitment to accessibility. Instructors will leave this session with ideas to begin making purposeful and impactful adjustments in your own courses. Presenters: Room: SE6 - 102 Presenters: Joanna Angelidis & Claudine Warburton
Using H5P to Create Interactive Content
This session is aimed at faculty who want to make their classroom or online teaching more interactive and student centred. In this workshop, faculty will learn how to use H5P to easily create interactive objects that can be used online or in the classroom. If teaching online, using The Learning Hub, faculty will also learn how to integrate the interactive learning objects into their online course. Presenters: Supplies: Room: SE6 - 106 Presenters: Rosario Passos
Crafting Competence: BCIT Microcredentials 2.0
Join us for an engaging and interactive session on the evolution and future potential of BCIT's microcredential program. Since its inception in 2021, the program has grown from three offerings to over 100, issuing more than 10,000 digital badges. This session will delve into how BCIT's microcredentials align with the provincial framework and compare with other post-secondary institutions in our region. Faculty, staff, and administrators will benefit from understanding the potential impact of microcredentials on education and workforce development. Through interactive components, we will gather valuable feedback to shape the next phase of our microcredential framework. Participants will gain insights into the growth and success of BCIT's microcredential program, explore benchmarking practices, and discuss the future potential of these offerings. Join us for a presentation and discussion on how these short, focused courses and programs are bridging skills gaps and providing learners with industry-recognized competencies. Presenters: Room: SE6 - 108 Presenters: Eric Fry
Designing Team Assignments for Diverse Classrooms
This session will help instructors design or redesign a group assignment to support student learning effectively in diverse multicultural classrooms. Research shows that diverse teams are uncomfortable, but ultimately perform better (Grant-Halvorson, Rock & Grey, 2016). Team assignments can help prepare students for the world of work and promote important transferable skills such as perspective taking, collaboration, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication. Students often dislike group work because they don’t know how to navigate complex tasks, differing expectations, or approaches to collaboration, and instructors rarely have the time to teach students how to collaborate effectively starting a team assignment. Participants will discuss a case study of a student group that experiences difficulty during a project. We will work together to identify strategies that the instructor can use in the group project design to support student success, reduce the likelihood of group conflict, provide opportunities for students to deepen their team collaboration skills and articulate these skills to employers after graduation. Participants will receive a sample group assignment, and will be able to adapt the design and facilitation strategies to their own course after the session. Presenters: Room: NW04 - 1072 Presenters: Nanda Dimitrov
AI in Education: From Cheating to Learning Companion"
AI is often seen as a threat in education, with tools like ChatGPT labeled as "cheating." But what if we reimagined AI as a learning companion rather than an academic villain? This session challenges outdated assignment models and explores how AI can be ethically and effectively integrated into education. Using experiential learning, flipped classrooms, and AI-driven engagement, we will discuss how to redesign formative and summative assessments that prioritize critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity rather than rote memorization. Who Should Attend? - Instructors looking for innovative, AI-inclusive teaching strategies - Educational leaders interested in modern pedagogy - Anyone curious about AI’s role in learning and workforce readiness Key Takeaways: - How to redesign assignments to embrace AI - Strategies for flipped classrooms and experiential learning - AI as a tool for enhanced engagement and personalized learning - Ethical considerations for AI use in education This session provides a hands-on opportunity to rethink how AI can support real-world, future-ready education. Presenters: Room: NW04 - 1076 Presenters: Patricia Moura
|
|
|
Be More Than A Bystander
Be More Than A Bystander is a training and educational program to support organizational and cultural shifts towards more inclusive, safer and respectful workplaces. This workshop equips participants with practical tools and strategies to prevent and intervene in gender-based and other forms of bullying, harassment, and violence in work and training spaces in skilled trades industries. The workshop is led by Vancouver School Board Career Programs Teacher and BMTAB Spokesman, Mark Reid. The learning outcomes of this workshop are: • Understand contexts of bullying, harassment and violence • Learn different intervention tools • Build skills through engaging in workplace scenarios Presenters: Room: SE2 - Town Square A Presenters: Mark Reid
|
||
| 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
BBQ Lunch and Closing
|
||||||
Note : The Highlighted session are of 25 minutes only
|
Show All
|
The Power of the Current
|
Sailing Together
|
Foundations Beneath the Surface
|
Riding the AI Wave
|
Panel
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 am - 9:00 am |
Opening with President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer David Horton
|
|||||
| 9:00 am - 9:05 am | Break | |||||
| 9:05 am - 9:55 am |
Two sides of one coin - why visualizing failure is as important as visualizing the success and how we are using data to tell the full story.
Abstract: In the realm of data analytics, success stories often dominate the narrative. However, understanding and visualizing failures is equally crucial for a comprehensive analysis. This presentation will delve into the importance of visualizing both successes and failures, demonstrating how each contributes to a holistic understanding of data. By leveraging data visualization techniques, we can uncover hidden patterns, learn from past, and look into the future to drive more informed decision-making processes. This session will showcase practical examples and methodologies that highlight the value of a balanced approach to data storytelling.
Target Audience: Researchers, data analysts, data scientists, and professionals involved in data-driven decision-making processes who are interested in enhancing their understanding of data visualization and storytelling. Speaker : Paulina Krys & Ashley Stauffer
SIMBA Financial Reporting: Using Business Objects to Monitor and Inform Financial Decision Making
Understanding object-based reporting in SIMBA is crucial for promoting prudent financial practices. Anyone responsible for monitoring or managing general fund accounts in SIMBA should be familiar with the available tools to make informed financial decisions.
In our presentation, we will explain what Business Objects (BOBJ) is, how to use it, and how to create a simple report that can be automatically scheduled and sent to stakeholders. Our goal is to create a straightforward report that monitors the general fund by examining fund centers, funded programs, and GL accounts. We aim to boost attendees' confidence in using the BOBJ tool and to encourage the use of innovative financial reporting tools within SIMBA/SAP. Recognizing that transferring data between systems may not be everyone's expertise, this solution offers an on-premises tool directly connected to the source data. Speaker : Jeff Popadines & Shelly Ormsby
|
The IDR For IT Professionals
Audience: IT Professionals who support customers connecting to the IDR; Anyone who would like a technological insight into the technology we ue for the IDR
Needs: Better understanding of the technology used to power the IDR, better understanding on the methods used to connect, and how to offer technical support to customers in setting up and troubleshooting connections. Needs: The IDR is one of OPAIR's flagship offerings, and utilizes some of Microsoft's newest cloud and on-premise technologies. Our goal is for attendees gain a better understanding of the technology on which the IDR is built, how to assist their clients and customers to connect to the IDR, and how to offer basic connection troubleshooting for the clients that they support. Main points:
Expected outcomes: "After attending this presentation, IT Professionals will have a better understanding of what the IDR is, the technology that powers it, and how to offer local-level service and support for customers wishing to access data in the IDR" Speaker : Frank Kachurak
|
Bridging the Gap: Identifying Key Factors and Strategies to Close Graduation Disparities Among Senior Students
This presentation highlights key findings from a Graduation Gap Analysis of senior students, focusing on factors influencing graduation rates and addressing disparities among ethnic groups. Targeted at university administrators, educators, and policymakers, it aims to inform strategies for promoting equity and student success.
The study analyzed 114,000 student records spanning 10 years, utilizing machine learning models and statistical methods to identify critical academic predictors, such as DFW ratios (D, F, and withdrawal grades), performance indices, and workload indicators. Demographic analysis revealed disparities among ethnic groups, with Underrepresented Minority (URM) students showing higher DFW ratios and a greater representation in low-performance groups compared to White (WHT) students. Change point analysis identified critical intervention stages for students at academic risk, offering a framework for timely and effective support. The presentation will cover graduation trends by ethnicity, academic predictors of success, performance disparities, and practical intervention strategies. Attendees will gain actionable insights to address gaps in graduation outcomes and enhance support for diverse student populations, including adult learners. Speaker : Xianzeng Niu & Yuanhong Zhu
Coloring inside the GenAI lines with the PSU AI Guidelines
Generative AI is transforming workplace and educational technology, yet Penn State faculty and staff may feel uncertain about adopting these tools. This presentation targets university employees who are navigating the complex landscape of AI adoption. This presentation should:
- Demystify Penn State's AI Guidelines, providing clear, actionable guidance for responsible AI use - Explain our AI risk assessment process to IT evaluates new AI features prior to rollout - Offer practical strategies for leveraging AI tools while maintaining institutional integrity and data security By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped to make informed decisions about AI tool usage, understanding both the opportunities and safeguards in place at Penn State. Speaker : David Gindhart & Gretchen Paules
|
|||
| 9:55 am - 10:05 am | Break | |||||
| 10:05 am - 10:55 am |
Leveraging Data to Support First-Year Student Success
Data-informed decision-making is often an elusive part of data literacy, requiring individuals to recognize the need for data, know where to get the data, understand and trust the data, and be able to translate that data into insight. This presentation is meant to help both data analytics professionals and student support staff identify and use the data available at Penn State to support students during their first year of enrollment.
The session will include a brief presentation to illustrate insights that can be drawn from data available at Penn State, followed by deep-dive examples of using the data to support student success from practitioners. The presentation will cover the following topics:
Speaker : Jodi Harris & Janet Schulenberg
Analyzing the Role of High-Impact Practices in Enhancing Student Success
Primary Audience:
The primary audience includes analysts interested in the methodology and employees who work directly with students who are interested in the study's results. Objectives: This presentation will focus on the study done to analyze the effect of participation in High-Impact Practices (HIPs) on graduation rates and GPA. It will highlight differences between HIP participants and non-participants and provide insights into demographic trends and disparities in HIP participation and outcomes. The goal of the presentation is to provide information on what data was analyzed during the study and present the results of the study. Speaker : Aaron Tippett & Humaira Rahman
Introduction to the New iTwo Data Visualization Tools
The presentation provides a general introduction to the new iTwo Data Visualization interface and tools. It is tailored to all new and old iTwo users with varied levels of experience, and for those with an interest in the new system. The main objective is to address the question, ‘Why should a user choose the Data Visualization interface over the Classic interface?’
We will cover: - An overview of the iTwo Data Visualization (DV) interface - How to create a workbook - The wide range of visual elements offered by iTwo Data Visualization (DV) - How to create multiple visualizations on a single workbook canvas - Additional features such as conditional formatting The main goal is to improve users' confidence in utilizing the newly released iTwo Data Visualization Interface. Speaker : Jeff Molek, Vani Gogulamudi & Amanda Innocent-Ike
Beyond a report: How we built an enrollment calculator to maneuver the unknown
Penn State employs many units across the University with a focus or dedication to student analytics and reporting. Regardless of campus affiliations and unit affiliations, approaches to analytics too often default to only include post-hoc reporting; it is then up to the consumers of these reports to integrate insights into operations. There are many ways to make reports, analytics, and dashboards more applied and action-oriented without necessarily needing sophisticated programming and machine learning. Sometimes there are opportunities to take what seems to be a one-off research question and deliver findings in an interactive and practical way. This presentation will discuss a case study of how the Data Empowered Learning Team collaborated with the Office of the University Registrar to create a useful and novel tool for estimating total course enrollments of first year students given unknowns about the upcoming cohort size. The initial ‘ask’ was simply to provide an estimate for most impacted courses based on a single estimate of the incoming first year cohort. The solution was a look beyond a static report, to understand the underlying needs driving the ‘ask’, and create an interactive and functional tool with adaptability and nimbleness during a period with a lot of unknowns. We will talk through the enrollment calculator project, the approach, the design, and how it has been useful in practice. We will also talk more generally about how approaching research questions with curiosity can tweak perspective towards a more operationalizable deliverable. Participants will hear about the enrollment calculator case study, gleaning tips and strategies for bridging reporting with integration into an action-oriented context for consumers.
Speaker : Elizabeth Seidle & Tryphena Miska
|
Penn State’s Collective Impact: A Journey Through Data and Collaboration
This presentation is designed for employees, administrators, data analysts, and programmers interested in exploring a University-wide project that showcases Penn State’s initiatives and programs and their collective impact on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We will discuss the business need driving this project, the collaborative process employed, and the ArcGIS tools utilized for data collection and the creation of the production map. Attendees will gain insights into the project's objectives, the tools used for data collection and map delivery, and the teamwork that enabled the completion of a final product within 12 months.
Speaker : Steve Chichester, Grant Davis & Rachel Heverly
|
Data-Informed Strategic Planning
Facilitator : Michael Rosenberg Panel : Gretchen Paules, Neill Johnson & Alison Parker
|
|||
| 10:55 am - 11:05 am | Break | |||||
| 11:05 am - 11:30 am |
Harnessing Data for Strategic Enrollment Goal Setting: The Evolution of World Campus Projections
This presentation will explore the development and impact of enrollment projections for World Campus, focusing on student categorization and target setting. The World Campus enrollment model incorporates admissions data, retention trends, and internal initiatives to predict future student headcount and establish goals. This session will demonstrate a nuanced approach to creating and adjusting a model based on students’ pathways to enrollment and categorization into meaningful types such as new degree applicants, continuing, and re-enrolled students. It will also provide an overview of the annual cycle for updating enrollment goals and tracking performance against targets and projections. Aimed at data professionals, unit leaders, and anyone interested in World Campus student data, this session will offer valuable insights into how data modeling can shape strategic planning and enhance enrollment management.
Speaker : Julie Cross
Simple Dashboard Creation in iTwo Workbooks
The presentation offers a brief overview of simple dashboard creation in the newly released iTwo Workbooks. It is designed for intermediate to advanced iTwo users, as well as those interested in exploring the new iTwo dashboarding functionality. We will highlight the ease of use and reduced complexity of creating dashboard-style analyses (Workbooks) compared to the previous version of the iTwo environment. Users will have the opportunity to learn about iTwo Workbooks, advanced filters, parameters, and visualizations. The main goal is to boost users' confidence in creating dashboards within iTwo Workbooks.
Speaker : Jeff Molek, Vani Gogulamudi & Amanda Innocent-Ike
Ukrainians Resilience
Target Audience:
This presentation is designed for mental health professionals, social workers, community leaders, and policymakers working with displaced populations, particularly Ukrainian migrants. It will also benefit organizations supporting immigrants and those interested in trauma recovery, resilience-building, and acculturation processes. Audience Needs and Challenges: The audience faces the challenge of addressing the unique mental health and psychosocial needs of Ukrainian refugees, who often experience trauma, and acculturation stress. Many professionals seek evidence-based approaches and practical tools to support this population effectively. Objectives:
Main Points:
After attending this presentation, participants will:
Speaker : Yaryna Andrushko
|
Beneath the Surveys: Automating Infrastructure for Annual AC14 Evaluations
Managing the annual AC14 evaluation of academic administrators is a monumental task, involving upwards of 100 unique survey instruments each year. In this session, I will provide a brief overview of this project, including innovations that have been implemented along the way to streamline the AC14 process.
Key enhancements have included the integration of Python automations with the Qualtrics API to handle survey creation and data collection, as well as the development of R scripts for more efficient data wrangling and report generation. Attendees will gain insights into how our team has tackled the challenges of scale and complexity in survey-based assessments, and how automation can improve both efficiency and accuracy. This session is ideal for those interested in large-scale evaluations or seeking practical approaches to integrating automation tools into their workflows. Speaker: Jessica Myers
|
Enhancing Access Through AI: A Chatbot for the Results First Clearinghouse Database
When data is inaccessible, its potential impact is diminished. The Results First Clearinghouse Database, hosted by the Prevention Research Center at Penn State University, provides comprehensive information on over 4,000 prevention and intervention programs. To maximize the utility of this resource, we developed an AI-powered chatbot that enables researchers and policymakers to interact conversationally with the database. By simplifying access to evidence-based information, the chatbot aims to support data-informed decision-making. This presentation is tailored for practitioners interested in leveraging machine learning to enhance data accessibility and usability. We will share insights into the development process of the chatbot, including the design, capabilities, and current limitations. We will also explore challenges such as integrating AI into existing data infrastructure and maintaining user trust and discuss solutions. Our primary objective is to inspire collaboration and innovation in using AI to address data accessibility barriers. By engaging participants in a dialogue on the possibilities and challenges of AI-driven tools, we aim to spark ideas for enhancing similar initiatives across the institution, provide actionable insights, and expand the network of collaborators leveraging AI to enhance the impact of evidence-based research.
Speaker : Jonathan Wright & Alex Winters
|
|||
| 11:30 am - 11:35 am | Break | |||||
| 11:35 am - 12:00 pm | Closing Announcements |