Professional Development Day

Resource Fair

Networking & Light Continental Breakfast

Downing Student Union

1st Floor

Welcome

Join us for a brief welcome and helpful event information.

Downing Student Union

1st Floor - Auditorium

Best Practices and Insights for Streamlining the Purchasing Process

Marci Morehead, Brittney Green, and Pamela Davidson

Procuring goods and services for a university department may sound like a daunting task. The purchasing processes can often seem complicated and time-consuming. However, implementing basic procurement practices can significantly enhance efficiency, save money, and make purchasing more convenient. Learn how quotes, justification, and contracted suppliers assist in a streamlined purchasing process. Gain an understanding of purchasing policies and the recent updates. Bring your questions and be prepared for an interactive discussion.

Downing Student Union

3004

Supporting Autistic Learners: Practical Strategies for University Faculty

Christina Noel, Peggy Crowe, and Jimmie Martin

This session equips educators with actionable tools to enhance inclusivity in their classrooms. The session covers techniques for fostering student engagement, including visual supports, clear instructions, and personalized feedback. Faculty will also explore how to promote executive functioning skills, such as time management and organization. By the end of the training, attendees will know how to apply basic strategies that can result in autistic students being better equipped to thrive in your classroom.

Downing Student Union 

3007

Staff Pay Administration at WKU

Michaela Daniel and Mindy Hutchins

Western Kentucky University is committed to implementing compensation policies and programs that accurately reflect the value of job duties and responsibilities, while ensuring compliance with state and federal compensation regulations. This presentation will address key topics such as exempt vs. non-exempt classifications, leave reporting, timekeeping procedures, and policies related to overtime and alternative work arrangements. Both staff and supervisors of staff will find this session valuable as we work together to stay informed and maintain compliance.

Downing Student Union 

3020

AI Unleashed: Practical Ways to Elevate Your Work and Interests

Charles Plemons 

Discover practical and powerful ways AI can elevate both your professional productivity and personal pursuits. This session offers a dynamic mix of presentation and live demonstrations to show how AI tools can streamline tasks, spark creativity, and save time. From improving workflows to enhancing everyday interests, you’ll walk away with actionable insights and newfound confidence in leveraging AI. Join us for an interactive exploration of how you can integrate AI into your daily routine, and see its impact in ways that go beyond basic prompts. 

Downing Student Union 

3023

Three Signs of a Miserable Job: Transforming Miserable to Meaningful!

Bruce Weisman

Do you feel valued in your job? If you're a manager, is your team satisfied with their work environment? In this session, we will:

· Review Patrick Lencioni's book, The Three Signs of a Miserable Job and use his "framework" to review three simple concepts teams can apply to improve their work environment and, subsequently, their performance.

· Highlight the importance of developing employees and share tips for how to do it effectively.

· Explore the concept of servant leadership and the benefits provided.

· Apply concepts from other books, the Savannah Bananas, and others in a fun, meaningful way!

Downing Student Union

3025

Contracts & Insurance | Let’s Travel

Nicole Boaz & Madona May

Two departments sharing one time slot!

1) Contracts & Insurance will provide an overview of Performance Contracts and Determination of Contractor Status determinations. We will also discuss Insurance including Sovereign Immunity and claims. This information will assist with completion of forms for Contract and Insurance.  

2) Let's Travel will cover travel information regarding students, faculty & staff. Following guidelines for completion of travel vouchers and group travel.

Downing Student Union 

3004

Failing Forward: Cultivating Productive Failure in Student Learning

Alison Langdon, Jennifer Hanley, Nick Fortune, Natalie Mountjoy, and Thad Crews

In this interdisciplinary panel, faculty from English, History, Math, Data Analytics, and Biology will discuss strategies for encouraging students to embrace productive failure as a vital part of the learning process. We will explore how to create classroom environments that normalize failure, encourage reflection, and foster resilience. Participants will gain practical techniques to help students shift their mindset around failure, viewing it as an opportunity for growth. Attendees will leave with actionable approaches to apply in their own courses, enabling students to develop perseverance and adaptative skills across disciplines.

Downing Student Union 

3007

Unlike All the Others: Writing Outstanding Letters of Recommendation for Your Most Outstanding Students

Lindsey Houchin, Melinda Grimsley, and Bradley Smith

Love supporting your students, but loathe writing recommendation letters when you're already too busy? Our team in the Office of Scholar Development has over 15 collective years of experience reviewing applications for life-changing academic opportunities like study abroad and research, including stints on national selection panels for the Fulbright Program, Critical Language Scholarship, and Gilman Scholarship. We’ve learned a thing or two about what matters (and what doesn’t) in letters of recommendation. Join us to gain tips, tools, and resources you can implement immediately to manage students’ requests and teach students to share responsibility, delivering outstanding letters for outstanding students.

Downing Student Union 

3020

Engaging with Others & Customer Service, The Disney Way

Ron A. Rhoades

Discover the secrets of engaging with others around you, and "customer" service, from a former Disney cast member, so as to empower others' "dream" to come true. The Seven Dwarfs reveal the 7 Secrets for Successful Engagement with others. Learn how to apply "Dream - Believe - Dare - Do" to the challenges you, or your students, may encounter.

Downing Student Union 

3023

SACSCOC Accreditation for WKU – The Decennial Reaffirmation Process

Beth Laves, Jennifer Hammonds, and Rob Hale

We are in the midst of our university’s ten-year reaffirmation process and want to share what we’ve done so far and what is still left to do. We will discuss how our everyday work is woven into our accreditation activities such as academic program development, delivery modes, off campus instruction, and assessment of support units. Join us to learn more about what it means to be accredited by SACSCOC.

Downing Student Union 

3025

11:30 a.m. -

1:00 p.m.

Lunch Break

Complimentary Lunch - Fresh Food Company, Downing Student Union, 1st Floor

Dealing with Difficult Personalities

John Gregory

Unfortunately, we all have to deal with difficult people now and then. The remedy is simple—remove yourself from the situation/difficult person. But, what if the difficult personality is someone with whom you work? How do you handle that person when there’s no clear “escape plan?” In this course, you’ll learn to better understand and cope with these individuals—an invaluable skill in the workplace.

Downing Student Union 

3004

Leveraging AI Tools to Boost Participation and Save Time: Practical Applications for Professors

Erin Margarella

Designed for WKU faculty with beginning to advanced experience in AI, this session focuses on the advanced applications of AI tools such as Diffit, ShortAnswer AI, Brisk, and Notebook LM, among others, to enhance existing teaching practices. Attendees will explore how these technologies can streamline tasks like grading, lesson planning, and student engagement, ultimately improving workflow. Through real-world examples and interactive demonstrations, participants will learn how to integrate AI in ways that boost efficiency while maintaining high-quality outcomes. This session is ideal for faculty looking to elevate their AI usage to the next level.

Downing Student Union

3007

Recognize & Celebrate Success

Kirsten Hooks

This session will teach WKU employees how to integrate recognition into their daily routines, creating a more positive and supportive work culture. By fostering recognition, departments can improve morale, enhance employee satisfaction, and boost productivity. Using examples from WKU Housing and Residence Life, the session will showcase best practices, award opportunities, and simple strategies for acknowledging staff efforts. Participants will leave with practical ideas to build a more engaged and high-performing team through consistent recognition efforts.

Downing Student Union 

3020

Digitally Accessible Communication Strategies

Chantel Wilson, Ena Demir, and Eric Wolfe

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that digital communications be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This session will help participants ensure their digital content complies with ADA requirements. This session will explore effective strategies for creating digitally accessible communications. Participants will engage in interactive discussions and hands-on activities to understand key principles and tools for accessibility. Objectives include learning to identify and address common accessibility barriers and implementing best practices for inclusive digital content. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with practical skills to enhance their digital communications, ensuring they are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Participants can apply these strategies to improve their organization's communication efforts and foster a more inclusive digital environment.

Downing Student Union 

3023

Emotional Intelligence

Gena Kay Shealy - Employee Assistance Program

Our ability to understand and control our emotions is a lifelong skill to master for personal fulfillment and professional success. In this class, participants will discuss different types of emotions, how neuroscience impacts our response to triggers, and how our feelings impact our everyday lives. Emotionally intelligent people are empathetic, positive, productive, and goal-oriented... if these are qualities you are personally hoping for, this is the class for you!

Downing Student Union 

3025

Energize Your Teaching with Active Learning Strategies

Wren Mills

In this session you will learn about (and experience!) several ideas that you can start integrating into your classes this coming semester. Activities will include how to better structure your class sessions to be prepared for engagement, how to encourage note-taking, better ways for students to work in groups, using the active learning cycle, and planning and facilitating engaging discussions.

Downing Student Union

3004

Creating Compassionate Policies in the Classroom and Beyond

Molly Kerby, Amber Scott, and Gayle Mallinger

COVID-19 forced WKU into a position that demanded both flexibility and compassion. The shift to the "new normal" required faculty to rethink their pedagogy and administrators to renegotiate academic policies. In addition, the pandemic also heightened awareness of academic inequities, emphasizing the need to re-examine current practices. Higher education often upholds individualism and meritocracy, reinforcing traditional hierarchies with rigid policies. While many higher education professionals recognize the importance of compassionate pedagogy, few understand the necessity of creating accommodating and empathic policies. From the classroom to the university level, policy development involves reflective practices that acknowledge diverse hardships and situational challenges.

Downing Student Union 

3007

Top Scholar & Digital Commons for You

Suellyn Lathrop

This session will provide an overview of TopScholar and Digital Commons for use in the classroom. It will also include information on the reorganization of TopScholar as well as promotion of personal research and publication, and how to participate in the construction of TopScholar in the future.

Downing Student Union 

3020

Blackboard Ultra – Latest Updates, Q&A Session

CITL Instructional Design Team

Join this session to explore the latest updates in Blackboard Ultra! This session will provide an overview of new features, enhancements, and tools available in Blackboard Ultra, covering the December and January updates. We’ll conclude the session with an open Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask specific questions to CITL Instructional Design Team and Blackboard administrators. Whether you are an experienced Blackboard Ultra user or just getting started, don't miss this chance to stay up-to-date and optimize your use of Blackboard Ultra!

Downing Student Union 

3023

Helping Students with Suicidal Ideation: Lessons Learned through Research and Student Support Groups

Jay Gabbard

Suicidal ideation and suicide continue to be a huge concern and problem with college students across the United States and at WKU. In addition to providing an overview about the scope of problem, this session will address indicators to look for in students who have suicidal ideation, do's and don'ts in working with these students and most importantly what to do specifically when a student indicates suicidality.

Downing Student Union 

3025

Excel II: Formulas and Features

Susan Thomison

This course will introduce you to the rules of writing formulas in Excel and how to work with both relative and absolute formulas. You will also learn how to fix errors using the formula auditing feature as well as linking formulas in a spreadsheet in workbooks. With Excel, you’ll learn to work smarter, not harder!

Learning Outcomes:

• Work with Excel functions, countif, sumif, and averageif

• Understand how to bring an Excel chart into PowerPoint

• Practice using Sparklines

• Demonstrate how to protect cells and workbooks

• Understand linking worksheets and linking workbooks

• Learn more tips and tricks

Please note that this is a hands-on workshop and space is limited to 15 participants. To reserve a seat, please register here.

Downing Student Union

Senate Chambers

2081