草榴社区

Introducing Wittney Hammeker, Graduate Assistant 

We are delighted to welcome Ms. Wittney Hammeke to our team. She will bring her insights, academic work, and ideas to supporting our programs and services. Here's Wittney: "I am a recent graduate of Kansas State University where I earned my bachelor鈥檚 degree in News and Media. During my time at Kansas State, I served on the executive board of the university鈥檚 student media and completed a communications internship with the US Department of Agriculture. I plan on expanding my understanding of mass media and communication theory during my studies in Communication. I am  working towards a career in higher education, where I hope to contribute to the Communication field through teaching and research."

草榴社区's Next Generation Learning Management System 聽

草榴社区's next generation learning management system (LMS), D2L Brightspace is a mobile-friendly LMS that supports sound pedagogical practices and teaching innovation. Please consult this Next-generation Learning Management System聽website聽for timelines and updates, and the Brightspace Training and Support website for available resources and to sign up for training.聽

Introducing Hetal Thaker, Assistant Director for Instructional Technologies Integration

We are pleased to welcome Hetal Thaker (MA, English) as Assistant Director for Instructional Technologies Integration. Hetal comes to us from the University of Michigan, where she served as a Senior Learning and Teaching Consultant. Prior to that, she spent fifteen years teaching writing and literature.

Hetal鈥檚 initial focus will be supporting the University鈥檚 transition from Blackboard to the Brightspace LMS, helping faculty, departments, and colleges design inclusive and effective learning experiences. She is also available to consult on a wide range of instructional technology needs, from incorporating active learning tools like polling software to designing multimedia assignments such as podcasts and websites.聽Please reach out to her if you are interested in meeting to discuss your instructional technology goals, needs, or just to say hello.

Academic Updates, Office of the Provost

For Faculty: FAQs About Immigration and 草榴社区's Campus, A. Dailey, Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs (AVPFA), 09/2025
For Students: Fall Semester Updates, R. Weinstein, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL) 08/2025
Fall Slate Update, R Weinstein, (VPTL), 08/2025
For Faculty: Fall Semester Updates, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 08/2025
For Students: Fall 2025 Textbooks with Barnes and Noble College (BNC), R. Weinstein, VPTL, 07/2025
Update: Fall 2025 Textbooks, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 06/2025
Brightspace Launch Update, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 05/2025
Update: Student Advising Software, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 03/2025
Updated University Learning Goals, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 02/2025

Update on A.I. at 草榴社区   

, May 2025
Guidance on A.I. Use in Your Education, R. Weinstein, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL), 1/10/2025
Teaching with A.I. Selected general and 草榴社区 resources
VITALITY: Strategies to Consider if You Suspect A.I. Misuse in Your Course 2/2024
The State-of-the-Discussion on A.I. and Teaching at 草榴社区 9/2024
 (podcast): Streamline Your Teaching and Workload with A.I.

Innovation Nation  

Across campus, faculty are reimagining the classroom experience鈥攄eveloping innovative teaching methods and course curricula that address real-world needs and leave a lasting impact on learners at every level. For more information, please see the Spring 2025 issue of the 草榴社区 Magazine.

VITAL Instructional Minigrant Recipients 2025-2026

Congratulations to the faculty colleagues who have been awarded grants to enrich students鈥� learning experiences and innovate both undergraduate and graduate course curricula across colleges.聽Learn more about the faculty recipients and their projects, VITALITY, May 2025 - forthcoming

Program details, past grant recipients, and CFP

Test Proctoring and Testing Accommodations

(9/5/24) to learn how to better support your students with test proctoring needs and become familiar with the 草榴社区 Test Centers. Facilitated by聽Learning Support Services (LSS) and The Office for Access & Disability Services (ADS).

VITALITY: VITAL Teaching Ideas with Focus on Mental Health

This two-part series highlights the importance of making mental health visible in their teaching and the steps faculty can take to make this a reality in their courses. It also offers sample dialogue that faculty might use to support students' mental well-being.

Part I: Making Mental Health Visible in Class
Part II: Talking with Students About Mental Health in Class

Access past VITALITY issues

Teaching Podcasts

: Brings candid conversations with educators who are finding new ways to engage students inside and outside the class. Each episode will give you real-life examples and practical strategies you can put into practice in your own courses. Hosted by Eric Mazur, internationally recognized educational innovator in Social Learning and Peer Instruction.

: Guests share discoveries of 鈥渄ead ideas鈥濃�攊deas that are not true but that are often widely believed and embedded in the pedagogical choices we make. Hosted by Catherine Ross, CTL, Columbia University

: Offers research-based teaching tips to boost your creativity and motivation hosted by Magna Publications. Current episode: From concept to practice: Implementing liquid syllabi in higher ed

with Derek Bruff: Aimed at faculty to help them develop foundational teaching skills and explore new ideas in teaching.

: Series of discussions of innovative and effective practices in teaching and learning. Hosted by State University of New York at Oswego.

: Explores the art and science of being more effective at facilitating learning. Hosted by B. Stachowiak, Vangard University, CA.

: Features faculty and course designers using creative approaches to enhance students' learning experiences and turn engagement "ON".  Hosted by Dr. Kathryn Berkow, University of Delaware.

草榴社区 Policy Library

The 草榴社区 Policy Library (VPL) assists faculty, staff and students in better understanding the many University policies and procedures. The聽University Compliance Office聽continues to feature compliance-related policies. For example, the Academic Integrity Policy sets expectations for honest academic work and provides for equitable administrative procedures to address suspected violations of 草榴社区鈥檚 Code of Academic Integrity. Access聽VPL聽through MyNova.