Learning Communities

First Generation College Students Learning Community

Join us to learn concrete strategies to work with first-generation college students in the classroom. In this learning community, you will gain insights into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by first-generation college students and instructional strategies that would help them thrive in your classrooms. 

To join this group, contact Tamekia Bailey at tybaile@ilstu.edu. 

Meetings:
All meetings are from 1:10 p.m. to 2 p.m. on their respective days
Friday, February 23
Friday, March 8
Friday, March 29
Friday, April 12
Friday, April 26
Friday, May 10

Location:
Zoom

Facilitator:
Tamekia Bailey, College of Applied Science and Technology

In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower: Exploring University-Community Relationships

 

Join the Center for Civic Engagement, the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, and Milner Library reading In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower by Davarian L. Baldwin. This book examines the role of urban universities in American cities. While universities can bring new innovations, they can also harm communities in the name of university progress. Baldwin uses conversations from several U.S. cities to demonstrate who benefits from university power. Participants will explore university-community power structures particularly in a research setting and consider the relevance of this content in our own university-community relationship. 

Ebook access will be available through Milner Library. There will be a limited number of hard copies available on a first-come basis. You can read more about the book online. Please contact Dana Karraker, dmkarra@ilstu.edu, if you would like one.

To join this group, register online.  

Meetings:
Wednesday, March 20 • 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. 
Wednesday, April 3 • 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. 
Wednesday, April 17 • 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. 
Zoom

Facilitator: 
Harriett Steinbach, Office of Research and Graduate Studies  
Katy Strzepek, Center for Civic Engagement

Neurodiversity Allyship Learning Community

“Neurodiversity” is in part a biological phenomenon and in part a cultural phenomenon.  Learning about both will widen your perspective on neurodivergent students and colleagues.  In this learning community, we’ll use a strengths-based approach to understand outside-the-box thinkers and explore possible ways to support and collaborate with the students and colleagues. We hope that the learning community will increase our understanding of neurodivergent people in the fall semester by reading a book and articles and will collaboratively explore strategies and best practices to make ISU a neurodivergent-friendly campus.

To join this group, contact Mayuko Nakamura, mnakamu@ilstu.edu

Meetings:
TBD

Location:
These sessions will be offered both online and in person.

Facilitators:
Lori Henehan, Student Access and Accommodations
Mayuko Nakamura, Center for Integrated Professional Development 

Small Changes, Big Impact Learning Community

Teaching can be an isolating experience. This reading group, intended for those who have been teaching at Illinois State for more than four years, provides an opportunity for faculty to engage in discussions to encourage peer support, networking, and mentorship. Experience new confidence in yourself and your ability to teach! 

During the Spring semester, we are going to read Using Brain Science to Make Training Stick by S. Bowman as the springboard for our conversations. We will use the text to find ideas for small changes we can make in our classes to see changes in our student learning and their feelings of inclusion in our class.  Reading is kept to reasonable amounts between our biweekly meetings and encouraged and not required to participate in the discussions.  We meet 6 times in the semester to discuss and support each other in our teaching across disciplines.

Copies of the book will be provided. You can see a preview online. 

To join this group, contact Dr. Sarah Boesdorfer, sbboesd@ilstu.edu 

Meetings:
All meetings are from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on their respective days
Thursday, February 1
Thursday, February 15
Thursday, February 29
Thursday, March 28
Thursday, April 11
Thursday, April 25

Location:
Williams 326 with the option to attend via Zoom

Facilitator:
Sarah Boesdorfer, Chemistry