Story by Dean Klinkerman
The Institute for Learning and Teaching has announced its upcoming TILT Summer Conference, an annual event open to all instructors across campus happening May 15-16 in the Lory Student Center.
Designed to support CSU’s focus on student success and the UERU (Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities) equity-excellence imperative, the theme of this year’s conference is “Supporting Today’s Students.” The keynote address will be presented by Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education.
Topics that will be addressed at the conference include the lingering effects of COVID-19 on mental health and college readiness; the complexities of teaching, including AI integration and accessibility in course content; and the opportunities afforded by ideas such alternative grading. Through these topics and many others, TILT will equip educators with tools and strategies to navigate the complexities of today’s educational environment.
The dynamic two-day experience is designed for educators across campus and builds on the success of previous conferences with insightful keynotes, interactive workshops, engaging panel discussions and valuable networking opportunities. All sessions and workshops are aligned with TILT’s Teaching Effectiveness Framework, which emphasizes student-centered pedagogy.
Keynote address
One of the most anticipated events of the conference is the keynote address (day one) and the workshop (day two) by Santiago. Santiago’s emphasis on Latino students and inclusive excellence is timely given CSU’s status as an emerging Hispanic Serving Institute. Santiago’s keynote promises to inspire attendees and set the tone for the rest of the conference. Her keynote will address how to serve today’s students with intentionality, and her workshop on day two will focus on utilizing data and practical strategies to enhance student support within the classroom, across campus and in the broader community.
In addition to Santiago’s keynote, the conference will boast a diverse lineup of sessions led by esteemed colleagues from CSU and recognized education experts. From workshops on serving varied student populations to panel discussions with current CSU students and faculty, the conference will offer something for every educator looking to enhance their practice and better support students.
Registration for the conference is now open through TILT’s website, with options for both in-person and virtual attendance on the first day of the conference, and in-person only on day two. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on both days. Additionally, there will be a special Celebration of Teaching Luncheon on day two, which will feature standout examples of high-impact teaching from the past year and the presentation of the N. Preston Davis Award, Teaching Effectiveness Initiative Domain Certificates and the very first Teaching Effectiveness Fellow award.
For a full event schedule and to register for sessions, visit https://tilt.colostate.edu/prodev/conferences-workshops/summercon/
About Santiago
Deborah A. Santiago, CEO of Excelencia in Education, is a leading advocate for Latino student success in higher education and a sought-after speaker. With more than 20 years of experience, she has influenced federal policy, tackled community issues, and leads research-driven initiatives across the U.S.
