[The CETLL Spotlight Banner]<https://www.qc.cuny.edu/cetll/> The Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Leadership (CETLL) Newsletter February 2025 In the Spotlight: Dr. Sally Izquierdo [Sally Izquierdo.]<https://sway.cloud.microsoft/5pGEkcQ9ciRu0Bxh?ref=Link&loc=play> This month, we interviewed Dr. Sally Izquierdo, Director of QC Project Reach<https://www.cuny.edu/current-students/student-affairs/student-services/disability/projectreach/> and co-developer of the Queens College Neurodiversity Hub<https://teams.microsoft.com/l/channel/19%3Ag-mkPnNypE4WClP55VpvZ2-2L-M3fNUSDJhQ5UfOH4E1%40thread.tacv2/?groupId=97876098-0de3-446c-acf0-e2f3cdfc423a>, to learn more about ways that we can better support neurodivergent students in our classrooms, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and campus-based resources about neurodiversity for faculty and students. CETLL: Why is it important for QC faculty to consider neurodiversity in their classrooms? Dr. Izquierdo: I think that we have far more neurodivergent students than most of us are aware of. Diversity in all forms, including neurodiversity, is more the norm than the exception. We are in such a diverse community, and that includes neurodiversity. It’s just one part of broader diversity. For me, I want faculty to think about neurodiversity as part of that broader conversation about diversity—not some little thing on the side. This isn’t about a sprinkling of students with disabilities but recognizing that there are many different forms of neurodiversity that we may identify or may not identify. Students may be registered with the [Office of Special Services] or not. They may not even have a diagnosis yet. There are so many different ways students can learn. I want faculty to be more proactive in preparing for any student who walks into their classroom, making their environments and courses as inclusive as possible to embrace all forms of diversity. Please click here to read the full interview<https://sway.cloud.microsoft/5pGEkcQ9ciRu0Bxh?ref=Link>. In Case You Missed It… Brightspace Webinars + UDL Workshop [A collage of Brightspace + UDL Workshop participants.] Queens College was part of the first cohort of CUNY colleges to fully transition from Blackboard to Brightspace. Beginning in Spring 2024, CETLL offered webinars and workshops to guide our faculty community through the transition. In Fall 2024, we hosted virtual webinars to demonstrate the creation of quizzes and gradebooks in Brightspace. We are available for ongoing support; please contact CETLL with any questions about working with Brightspace. In January, CETLL partnered with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Collaborative at QC and the Office of Innovation and Student Success to host a 2-day Brightspace + UDL Workshop on campus. The workshop included comprehensive presentations and discussions on implementing UDL strategies<https://udlguidelines.cast.org/> in the classroom, with an emphasis on considerations of inclusivity while designing Brightspace courses and coursework. Participating faculty were able to collaborate and design content for their Brightspace courses, construct/revise their syllabi, and create welcome videos for their students. Thank you to all who participated and joined us for the events. You can check out recordings of the Brightspace webinars on the CETLL website<https://www.qc.cuny.edu/cetll/brightspace-webinar-recordings/>. Here and Now Publish & Flourish: Sit ‘N’ Write Workshops CETLL will continue to co-host bi-weekly Publish and Flourish/Sit ‘N’ Write workshops<https://www.qc.cuny.edu/cetll/sit-n-write-workshop/> which offer a space for community writing, support from guest writing coaches, constructive feedback, and support. These workshops are organized and facilitated by Dr. Natanya Duncan (QC Africana Studies). The first event of the Spring 2025 semester series was held on January 31st, featuring the workshop “Teaching Diversity Rationally: Engaging Emotions and Embracing Possibilities” with Dr. Roxanne Donovan. Coming up on February 14th, the featured workshop will be: “Going Public: How to Write and Publish an Op-Ed” with Dr. David M. Parry. The hybrid meetings will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Powdermaker Hall Rm. 333 and on Zoom. Register here for future Sit ‘N’ Write workshops<https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/4ut0pqV-QVaZXGtCQhvrqQ#/registration>. [Laptop, notebook, and cup of coffee on top of a desk.] CETLL Faculty Fellowships [Illustration of a group of people working together on top of a lightbulb graphic.] Last semester, CETLL launched a new Faculty Fellowship program. We hosted a semester-long fellowship<https://www.qc.cuny.edu/cetll/general-education-fellows/> for eight faculty members to learn more about general education and work together to develop a provisional plan for general education assessment at QC. The group was organized and facilitated by Christopher Hanusa (Mathematics and Faculty Liaison for Evaluation and Assessment) and Amy Wan (English and Special Assistant to the Provost on Writing). CETLL is also hosting a Generative AI Faculty Fellowship<https://www.qc.cuny.edu/cetll/generative-ai-fellows/>, in which 13 faculty members were selected to participate in a series of discussions to critically engage the different concerns and opportunities that Generative AI presents for our work as educators. Fellows will also develop resources for their classes that respond to the ways that Generative AI impacts teaching and learning in their fields. Our Fall meetings were productive and insightful, and we are looking forward to continuing this innovative program in the Spring. Drop-In Hours CETLL is here to support you with all your Brightspace needs. We offer designated drop-in hours<https://www.qc.cuny.edu/cetll/cetll-its-drop-in-hours/> where you can ask the team any questions about using Brightspace in your courses! Examples of Brightspace Topics We Support: * Importing content from another course * Configuring quiz availability * Setting up weighted grades * Making grades and feedback visible to students Drop-In Hours<https://www.qc.cuny.edu/cetll/cetll-its-drop-in-hours/>: Tuesdays: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wednesdays: 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. If these times don’t work with your schedule, please feel free to reach out to Brightspace@qc.cuny.edu<mailto:Brightspace@qc.cuny.edu?subject=&body=>, and we’ll be happy to accommodate you! Link to Drop-In Hours: https://bit.ly/QCxCETLL__Zoom [CETLL Team in a Zoom meeting.] CETLL Team from left to right: Christopher Coleman, Shadae Elliott, Jean Kelly, Meagan Sullivan, Kareena Khan, Jazmyne Ramgadoo, and Soniya Munshi. (Not pictured: Kereen Gibson) Future Focus Pedagogy Pop-Ups [An illustration of a chalkboard that reads "Pedagogy Pop-Ups".] CETLL is excited to be hosting a new monthly series, Pedagogy Pop-Ups! Join us to engage in peer-based discussion and support about teaching and learning at QC. The hybrid meetings will be held the 3rd Wednesday of each month during free hour in Kiely Hall 111A and on Zoom. In-person participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch. Our first pop-up: Discussing Generative AI With Our Students will be on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. We will explore ways to hold meaningful conversations with our students about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in creative and academic spaces. Faculty presenters Lindsey Albracht (English) and S.E. Hackney (GSLIS) will share some of the strategies that they are using in their classrooms. We invite you to join the discussion to share your experiences, questions, and concerns! Click here to register<https://forms.office.com/r/z220GrpA21>. Save the Date for Future Pop-Ups: 3/19/25, 4/23/25 CETLL is located in Kiely 111 Phone: (718) 997-4650 Email: CTLOnline@qc.cuny.edu - If you are experiencing issues with Brightspace, please visit our drop-in hours on Zoom<https://bit.ly/QCxCETLL__Zoom>: Tuesdays, 1pm - 3pm Wednesdays, 2:30pm - 4:30pm - For future newsletters and other CETLL updates, subscribe to our mailing list: Socrates<https://lists.qc.cuny.edu/mailman/listinfo/socrates> - View email in browser<https://mailchi.mp/5104e454fdc2/february-2025-cetll-spotlight?e=%5bUNIQID%5d> [logo]