Narrative Schedule of the 2026 Conference

Subject to change. Draft Schedule Coming in November!

Thursday, January 8, 2026

1:30 PM Opening Remarks

2:00 PM - 5:30 PM Opening Keynote, Concurrent Sessions

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Opening Reception

Friday, January 9, 2026

7:00 AM - 5:15 PM Concurrent Sessions (including breakfast/lunch, keynote)

5:15 PM - 6:15 PM Networking Reception

Saturday, January 10, 2026

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Roundtable Sessions

8:40 AM - 9:50 AM Concurrent Sessions

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Closing Keynote

Sneak Preview of California 2026 Sessions

The following titles and authors are a sample of those already accepted for California 2026. Check back for updates!

Igniting Curiosity with AI: Crafting Questions That Engage
Lynn Meade, University of Arkansas

Consistent But Flexible: Strategies for Maintaining and Improving Curriculum
Dave Bostwick, University of Arkansas
Ninette Sosa, University of Arkansas
Susannah Swearingen, University of Arkansas

Cultivating College Classroom Spaces of Belonging
Brita Beitler, Wheaton College (IL)

UDL: Creating Inclusive Pathways to Success in Higher Education
Leslie Mathews, Crown College

REST to Lead: Building Resilience That Lasts

Renee Sunday, MD – DRS Global, LLC

Re-Assessing Our Assessments
Dave Martin, Red Deer Polytechnic

Grade Anarchy: A Novel Approach to Competency-Based Gerontological Learning
Jenny Inker, Virginia Commonwealth University

I Ain't Doin it: Learning That Students Want To Do With Ebonics

Clavette Phillip

Leading With Compassion: Culturally Inclusive Classroom Management Strategies
Karina Lee, Concordia University-Wisconsin

Motivating Resilient Learners for Lifelong Success Rebekah Wanic, University of San Diego

On The Entrepreneurship Trail: Saddling Up With AI
Sherry Robinson, Penn State University

Assignment Design in the Age of AI: On Annotated Bibliography

Richard M. Cho, University of California, Irvine

Connections: Blue Book Reflections Increase Attention, Meaning, and Memorability
Jill Potratz, Augustana College

Fostering Student–Faculty Engagement in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Guopeng Cheng, Virginia Tech

Amplifying Student Engagement Through Podcasting: A Faculty-AI Partnership to Reimagine Student Services

Jay Wiltshire, College of Lake County

Brent Steffens, College of Lake County

How To Inspire Confidence and Better Writing in Diverse Learners

Khriseten Bellows, Bellows Ed Consulting

The Singing Teacher: Community and Engagement Through Song

James Robison

Ungrading: A Transformative Assessment Approach Within a Traditional Grading System

Kimberly Pfeifer, University of the Pacific

Incorporating Caring Through Simulation in the Classroom
Hon-Vu Q Duong, Nevada State University
Nina Marcellus, Nevada State University
Michelle Garlock, Nevada State University

Teaching the Teacher: Instructing Library Faculty in Active Instructional Methods

Lee Parker, Central Michigan University

Formative and Summative Assessment Framework of Professional Disposition
Cody Marie Busch, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Lynn Gilbertson, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Supporting Student Well-Being Without Sacrificing Standards
Christina Hartline, Northern Michigan University
Jennifer Gorton, Northern Michigan University

Teaching for Engagement: Leveraging Deeper Learning Practices in College Classrooms

Rebecca Legro, Merrimack College

“You Can’t Say That!” Engaging Students in Scientific Debates
Christina I. Winterton, Villanova University

Exploring the Impact of Translanguaging in ESL Teacher Education

Shannon Tanghe, Metro State University

Analyzing the Feasibility of Implementing Suggested Deadlines in Higher Education

Elizabeth Sherman-Thomas, University of Puget Sound