In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020, institutions are facing an unprecedented wave of burnout, overwhelm, and other health concerns among faculty and students alike. Despite heightened awareness and conversation around the issue, meaningful action has been difficult to assess and evaluate, and very often, institutions are finding that the issues they are facing have pre-pandemic roots. We invite you to a conversation with Director of Education and Training, Behavioral Health Program at WICHE, Todd Helvig Director of Health Promotion & Preventative Services from the University of Arizona, David Salafsky, and Director of Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) at U of A, Aaron Barnes. U of A is the recipient of the 2020 Active Minds Healthy Campus Award which recognizes and celebrates U.S. colleges and universities that are prioritizing health and making significant progress toward creating a campus that promotes mental health, physical health, and well-being of its students. Panelists will discuss the general landscape of behavioral health in higher ed as well as the new challenges and progress that University of Arizona has made since winning their award. Attendees will be welcomed to ask questions and share the innovative work they are doing on campus to promote behavioral health.
Archives: Events
WCET’s Virtual Summits are a deep dive into digital learning topics impacting postsecondary education. The 2023 Virtual Summit on March 9 will cover an array of topics affecting the business of higher education. The interactive, member-only*, half-day Summit will occur online, and sessions will be recorded.
Expert speakers, digital learning practitioners, and higher education leaders will discuss:
- Shifting demand for course delivery.
- Forecasting enrollments, programs, and modalities.
- Faculty, staff, and student retention.
- Disruptive models and practices that impact institutions and create opportunities for learners.
- Funding models for online courses.
- Strategic budgeting and planning.
- And many more topics related to digital learning.
WCET’s Virtual Summits are a budget-friendly form of high-quality professional development designed exclusively for WCET members. If you are not a member, join WCET by February 28 and receive two complimentary registrations to the Summit! Use “Summit Promo” in the promo field to claim your complimentary registrations.
The Western Academic Leadership Forum provides a unique venue where the West’s top academic leaders share perspectives on current issues to help inform their future decision making and leadership, as well as engage in planning and developing innovative regional initiatives addressing common concerns. This year’s convening will take place Wednesday, April 26 – Friday, April 28 in Tucson, Arizona. The theme, “Higher Education: Creating Pathways for Brighter Futures” is sure to generate forward-thinking conversations. We welcome members of the Western Academic Leadership Forum as well as chief academic officers for any four-year institution or statewide agency who feel that they can benefit from networking and problem-solving with peers at the same level. Learn more about the agenda and registration at our webpage.
In our first WCET webcast of 2023, friends and leaders of WCET will share their aspirations and goals for digital learning in 2023. This won’t be just another “educators look into the crystal ball and share their predictions” webcast. Our panelists will discuss:
- What practical student-centered strategies worked in 2022 and what they plan to implement in 2023.
- What emerging technologies are they eager to explore in the New Year?
- What was more hype than help for learners in 2022?
- How will the workplace evolve and what opportunities will emerge for faculty and staff?
- What are they most hopeful about leading into the New Year as higher education professionals?
Bring your questions and ideas to this interactive discussion. WCET also wants to know where we should focus efforts in 2023 to further advance effective practice and policy with our digital learning community.
This webcast will take place via Zoom and is free and open to all. Register to receive the recording. Follow the Twitter feed at #WCETwebcast.
WICHE’s governing commission, comprised of 48 individuals representing 16 member states and territories, meets twice annually to discuss business of this interstate agency. This meeting is also a convening for WICHE committees including Policy and Research, Programs and Services, and the WICHE Executive Committee.
SECOND SESSION ADDED
We are joined by María Cristina Pacheco Alcalá Grant Management Specialist from the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice to discuss two grant opportunities opening in late November. Both grants aim to provide resources to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus. This webinar will share the work that has come out of this grant as well as recommendations and guidelines for any institutions interested in applying for these grants.
Beginning in FY 2022, the appropriation for the Campus Program included an allocation to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in recognition of the unique issues and challenges they face in preventing and responding to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. OVW will use this funding to implement the Strengthening Culturally Specific Campus’ Approaches to Address Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Initiative (CSC Initiative).
The project period under the CSC Initiative will be 48 months with award amounts up to $500,000.
Please invite anyone you think would be interested in this grant opportunity.
We are joined by María Cristina Pacheco Alcalá Grant Management Specialist from the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice to discuss two grant opportunities opening in late November. Both grants aim to provide resources to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus. This webinar will share the work that has come out of this grant as well as recommendations and guidelines for any institutions interested in applying for these grants.
Beginning in FY 2022, the appropriation for the Campus Program included an allocation to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in recognition of the unique issues and challenges they face in preventing and responding to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. OVW will use this funding to implement the Strengthening Culturally Specific Campus’ Approaches to Address Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Initiative (CSC Initiative).
The project period under the CSC Initiative will be 48 months with award amounts up to $500,000.
Please invite anyone you think would be interested in this grant opportunity.
Faculty are key to implementing Open Educational Resources (OER). Yavapai College has effectively developed and currently offers strategic wrap around support for faculty adopting, adapting, and building OER. Through this approach, YC saved students $802,340 during fall 2020 through spring 2022. During this webinar, presenters shared the key components to this approach and offered resources that could be implemented on your campus.
Presenters:
o Megan Crossfield – Manager, Academic Initiatives and Special Projects
o Thatcher Bohrman – Teaching & eLearning (TeLS) Director
o Sandi Van Lieu – English Department Chair
CLICK HERE for PowerPoint Presentation
Resources:
Yavapai College’s Roughwriter’s Guide: A Handbook for Writing Well
Yavapai College Open Educational Resources LibGuide
OpenText Rural Arizona: Open Textbooks for Rural Arizona OER Commons Hub
Yavapai College Faculty Portal
White Paper: Improving Student Success Through the Use of Open Educational Resources
There is rapidly growing interest in higher education about microcredentials and badges. The why of adopting a microcredential strategy was explored in a recent WCET Frontiers blog, “Considering Your “Why”- How Developing a Microcredential Strategy Will Help Your Students (and Your University) Thrive.” Microcredentials create shorter-term pathways for learners and earners. Additionally, they can aid student recruitment and retention. Microcredentials can also connect pathways and career advancement. But how do you get a microcredential initiative started at your institution? Join this webcast on October 12 to hear from panelists eager to share their journey and answer your questions. The panelists will cover:
- Where to begin.
- Who should be included in the conversations?
- Engaging students.
- Evaluating options for microcredentials, platforms, and badges.
- Defining microcredentials and outcomes.
- Determining governance structure.
- And more.
This webcast will take place via Zoom and is free and open to all. Register to receive the recording.
What do large companies that cover tuition costs for employees expect of the digital learning programs that educate them? How closely aligned are those expectations with the goals and needs of the working adults seeking to grow their skill sets and career mobility opportunities? Join this webcast for a discussion about how innovative companies are thinking beyond helping employees upskill into in-demand roles—and how innovative postsecondary programs play a critical role in creating and expanding access to career mobility pathways.
This webcast will take place via Zoom and is free and open to all. Register to receive the recording.