You asked and we listened. August 13 is the first day of school for many school districts and we understand how hard the first day can be for parents and kids. To help alleviate some of the morning stress, Faculty Convocation will be starting at 9:30am this year, 1 hour later than previous years.
Change is a powerful force, and water is one of nature’s greatest agents of change. Just as rivers carve new paths and create vibrant ecosystems, so too can our faculty thrive amidst evolving challenges and opportunities. This year’s Faculty Convocation is dedicated to the theme of “Thriving Through Change.” Join us for welcome back messages from leadership and workshops designed to spark meaningful conversations and equip you to navigate the shifting currents of academia with confidence. Mark your calendar - because together, we don’t just adapt, we thrive.
9:30am – 3:00pm
Grand Ballroom | Livestream
Ballroom Commons
Discover a collection of services from across campus that can assist faculty members in their teaching responsibilities and the diverse needs of their students.
Student Development & Well-Being/Dean of Students Office
Math Lab
Fulton Library
Writing Center
Educational Support Services
Office of Teaching and Learning
Academic Tutoring
Academic Coaching & Educational Standards
SCUP Private Tutoring
Innovation Academy - Project-Based Learning
Student Health Services
Career & Internship Center
Office of Education Abroad
UVU Store
MASH
Faculty Ombuds/Faculty Relations
CRFS
Passages at the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism
Innovation Academy Start up team
Global Engagement
Honors Program
Student Leadership & Success Studies (SLSS)
Innovation Academy
Credit for Prior Learning
Child Care Resource Agency
Student Rights and Accountability/Ombuds
Digital Transformation
Lunch vouchers will be available for those attending the opening session in-person. (limited to 225)
The tables in the ballroom will be available for those who would like to return and eat together.
Presenter: Amanda Diaz
This session explores how UVU faculty are using Project-Based Learning (PBL) to connect students with real-world challenges through community and industry partnerships. Drawing on best practices from Excelerate and e2i, we’ll discuss how to craft meaningful projects, create external collaborations, and support student learning through authentic, career-relevant experiences. You’ll also discover how PBL empowers students to apply course content in meaningful ways, while encouraging student ownership and partner engagement. Whether you're new to PBL or looking to deepen your practice, you will learn about available resources and opportunities to successfully integrate PBL into your courses.
Presenters: Wayne Vaught, Kat Brown, Laurie Toro, Wioleta Fedeczko, and Doug Gardner
Join the Provost, Deputy Provost, Faculty Senate President, Faculty Senate RTP&A Chair, and the Director of Faculty Development for our annual RTP workshop. This session will focus on navigating the review process at every stage—midterm, tenure, rank advancement, and post-tenure. Whether you're preparing your own portfolio or mentoring others through the process, this workshop offers timely updates, policy guidance, and practical strategies to help you move forward with confidence. RTP chairs and committee members are strongly encouraged to attend.
Presenter: Christopher Cardenas
Explore the integration of AI in your classroom through practical, engaging, and pedagogically sound methods. This session will introduce key AI concepts, such as the distinctions between deep learning and machine learning, and the meaning of GPT. We will discuss the non-cognitive nature of large language models and how this influences our approach to prompting and interacting with them. Additionally, we will explore tools for designing AI-enhanced learning experiences. Whether you are new to AI or looking to deepen your expertise, this session will provide you with strategies to effectively incorporate AI into your teaching practices.
Presenter: Ethan Jones
Utilizing faculty strengths, we will discuss ways that faculty can weather the storm of ever-changing environments. We will also explore evidence-based practices for managing those same changing environments. This may include grounding techniques, stress management strategies, and ways to rely on positive social circles.
Dianne McAdams-Jones, CHPS
Eric Russell, CHPS
Kristina Gibby, CHSS
Sowmya Selvarajan, CoS
Nathan Cordner, SCET
John Rees, SoA
Bing Han, SoE
Mohsen Hamidi, WSB
Laurie Toro, Faculty Development
Wioleta Fedeczko, Faculty Senate
Cindy Wilkinson, Academic Affairs
Nizhone Meza, Academic Affairs
