Training and Professional Development

  • 11/14 Reimagining Educational Development Roles

    From Practice to Purpose – Reimagining Educational Development Roles  

    Date: Friday, November 14 
    Time: 9 -10:30am EST 
    Register HERE 

    Facilitators: 
    Lara Chiaverini, UConn 
    Martina Rosenberg, UConn 
    H. Naomie Nyanungo, West Chester University 

    Educational development or academic development refers to systematic efforts to enhance teaching, learning, and educational environments at institutions of higher education. Educational Developers (EDs) support professional development for faculty, instructors, and academic unit staff to improve student learning through evidence-based, inclusive, and reflective teaching practices. EDs themselves are hired as staff, faculty, or both, and are tasked to navigate varied interpretations of teaching and learning spaces. The three facilitators working in this field mirror this reality and hail from two institutions (West Chester University and UConn).  

    During this workshop, we critically examine how professional identity, visibility, and positionality of EDs are constructed and navigated within institutional systems. Join us for a dynamic and thought-provoking workshop that centers your role in shaping institutional change. 

    🗓️ What to Expect: 

    • Engage in a facilitated case study to discuss assumptions, visibility, and value in academic development. 

    • Explore how diverse roles—especially staff—can be recognized as central to equity-focused transformation. 

    • Leverage Tools and frameworks to advocate for your contributions and reframe your professional narrative. 

    💡 Why Attend? This session is designed for those who: 

    • Work for departments, initiatives, academic support units including teaching centers, or hold leadership roles classified as staff or faculty. 

    • Feel their contributions to institutional change, professional development, and work force learning are often “implied” rather than explicitly acknowledged. 

    • Want to connect with others navigating the complexities of academic development identities.

    For more information, contact: Lara Chiaverini at lara.chiaverini@uconn.edu