Facilitator: Tally Botzer, System Office

Language is always changing, and it sometimes feels impossible to keep up with the newest buzzwords (and the newest taboos). In order to have positive, successful interactions with students and colleagues of diverse backgrounds, it is vital to be aware of these shifts in terminology. This interactive session will share practical approaches to learning, updating, and using language in a way that fosters inclusion and belonging in VCCS spaces. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and practice applying simple strategies to situations that often occur in workplaces and places of learning.

Facilitator: Alexander Scott, Virginia Western Community College

Exchange ideas with community college faculty about using marketing and public speaking strategies to enhance student engagement, teaching effectiveness, and retention. We will discuss how to use data-driven insights to tailor lessons to individual student needs and wants to ensure personalized learning paths, similar to how marketers segment audiences. We will explore the power of storytelling and storybranding to build connections and make lessons relatable and memorable. We will discuss core skills such as tone variation, gestures, and pacing, along with strong openings, pose questions, and use visuals effectively. Finally, create compelling speech structures to maintain student interest and create emotional connections through strategic communication. By blending public speaking expertise with marketing insights, faculty will gain tools to create more dynamic, engaging, and retention-focused learning experiences. 

Facilitator: Alissa Cruz, Blue Ridge Community College

This session is all about breaking free from the traditional “sit-at-your-desk” setup and creating spaces where students can actively engage their minds and bodies. We’ll explore fun and practical ways to make learning more interactive, collaborative, and movement based. Through real examples and hands-on ideas, you’ll see how small changes to your class can lead to big results in student engagement. Come ready to share, learn, and leave with easy-to-implement strategies to energize your teaching!

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Facilitator: Beth Callahan, Tidewater Community College

This session covers the aspects and implications of neurodiversity for community colleges educators, administrators and support staff. Neurodiversity accepts that there are some neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and others as part of normal human variation. This will include an analysis of the characteristics of neurodiverse students, their distinct needs and forms of support, as well as means to make students more involved and active in learning. Participants will emerge with a better perspective of neurodiversity and the tools available to assist in the expansion of scaffolding opportunities that will make education more accessible and fair for every student. 

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Facilitator: Ann Lyons, Sarah Kaufman, Wendy Lyman, Germanna Community College

Generative AI (GenAI) can be used to help students brainstorm writing topics, find errors in programming code, obtain feedback on how to manage study time more efficiently, obtain practice test questions for standardized exams such as the TEAS, NCLEX, and more! Germanna’s Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) has developed a collection of GenAIresources for students, which they can access from a dedicated webpage. During this session, presenters will demonstrate how the GenAI “Helpful Handouts,” “Understanding GenAI” interactive module, “GenAI Quick Tip” video series, and Generative AI Literacy Canvas Module can be used to encourage students to use GenAI to support their learning effectively and ethically. Attendees will also learn how Khanmigo can be used to create lesson plans and activities for Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions, workshops, and tutoring sessions. Attendees will engage in a brainstorming session to explore further opportunities for using GenAI to support student success.

Facilitator: Jason Williams, System Office

Presenters will provide actionable and practical apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning (WBL) methods and resources that can be implemented to increase opportunities for employment across the commonwealth. Access to resources includes Virginia Department agencies, colleges/universities, Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC), Va Works, Department of Education (DOE), Local Workforce Boards (LWFBs), etc. Presentation will be in a PowerPoint format with an open discussion. By expanding apprenticeship educational and workforce opportunities for students who face unique challenges in higher education, we provide available Work-Based Learning chances to working-age adults, military-affiliated individuals, justice-involved persons, BIPOC, Hispanic, Low-Income, underrepresented, and ALICE students. This session will explore innovative outreach efforts, practical support strategies, and inclusive practices that foster access to Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning opportunities in the classroom and in the workforce. The audience will capture practical resources to share with their community (school/workforce/business).

Facilitator: Ian Taylor, Virginia Peninsula Community College

Learn how to leverage generative artificial intelligence to build your own teaching assistant that can answer student emails immediately! Have you used tools like ChatGPT or Copilot? It’s just a few steps more after using it to help as a writing assistant. Even if all of this is new, you’ll gain an understanding of the impact from AI agents through Ian’s examples of tasks we commonly do as faculty. All are welcome to join a closing discussion on the challenges and opportunities we face as educators from AI agency.

Facilitator: Meredith Noseworthy, Tiffany Wright, Elizabeth Underwood, Andrea Walker, Samantha Sharkey, Germanna Community College

Do you want to develop an outreach strategy that students actually respond to and supports advisor well-being? Germanna Academic Advising's tiered caseload model has increased student engagement and strengthened advising relationships. Advisors will share the dynamic and proactive caseload management approach that encourages students to take action and thrive. Participants will learn specific caseload management strategies, communication plans, and Navigate features utilized to address the needs of all learners and balance advisor workloads. The session will include an opportunity for participants to discuss ways to adapt this model to their department or program. 

Facilitator: Tracy McAfee, Wytheville Community College

Sometimes you have to deal with a difficult co-worker, supervisor, student or "THAT" person.... but it doesn't have to be unpleasant IF you have a game plan. Learning to how to communicate in a way that preserves your dignity is a skill that anyone can do. Learn the difference between aggressive and assertive behavior so that you are able effectively respond to the arrows that some people shoot at you. This session will explore ways to deal with those uncomfortable situations in a way that empowers you.