Learning Communities

Early Career Learning Community

The Center for Integrated Professional Development’s Early Career Learning Community offers course instructors in their first through third years of service at ISU a combination of professional development and peer support. Join us for a series of engaging conversations on teaching, learning, and thriving in academia. 

For spring 2026, we will focus on the Science of Learning and Wellbeing. Over three sessions this semester, we’ll discuss evidence-based strategies that foster belonging, resilience, and engagement, and connect these ideas to the science of learning.

Session 1

Let’s Unpack ‘Student Well-Being' 

In our first session, we will unpack the notion of “student well-being” and what that means in higher education, and the links between well-being and academic performance.  

Session 2

Classroom Practices that Foster Engagement and Belonging

In this session, we will explore practices that we can incorporate in our teaching that support well-being. Using the Transparency in Teaching and Learning (TILT) Framework, we will discuss how clear communication about teaching methods the reasons behind them can demonstrably increase student success and instructor satisfaction

Session 3

Supporting Mental Health and Resilience Through Course Design 

Supporting student well-being and creating an effective learning environment is best accomplished when practices are organized around the work of the course itself. In our last session, we will learn about evidence-based practices that can be embedded in your courses.

Eligible Participants: Faculty and Course Instructors in their first 3 years at ISU. 

Interdisciplinary STEM for the Public Good Learning Community

STEM faculty across ISU have expressed a strong interest in learning with and from colleagues across the institution as they explore new ways to strengthen teaching and scholarship in interdisciplinary contexts. The Interdisciplinary STEM for the Public Good Learning Community, supported by the Excellence by Design Strategic Initiative Fund, builds on this interest by bringing together faculty from multiple departments to explore how civic and community contexts can enrich STEM courses and research. Participants will meet regularly to engage in conversation around foundational ideas in STEM civic engagement, share works in progress, talk through challenges, and offer peer feedback while co-developing civically engaged course modules and civically engaged research projects. A central goal of the community is for participants, either working independently or in partnership with institutional and/or community collaborators, to develop course modules to pilot in the 2026–27 academic year or to move engaged research projects toward internal or external funding. Join us in shaping cutting-edge, impact-driven STEM work at ISU. Faculty, staff with teaching responsibilities, and graduate students from across the university are welcome to participate.

While participation is open, the content and examples will be designed with STEM disciplines in mind. Registration is required.

Eligible Participants: All faculty (TT and NTT), staff with teaching responsibilities, graduate students

Online Education Learning Community: Integrity in the Age of AI

Register for this session by Monday, February 23

The Center for Integrated Professional Development’s Online Education Learning Community focuses on sharing experiences and co-learning as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of teaching online.

The reading selection for Spring 2026 is The Opposite of Cheating: Teaching for Integrity in the Age of AI by Bertram and Rettinger. This book outlines workable measures educators can use to better understand why students cheat and to prevent cheating while aiming to enhance learning and integrity. With its evidentiary basis and its useful tips for instructors across disciplines, levels of experience, and modes of instruction, this book offers a much-needed chance to pause, rethink our purpose, and refocus on what matters-creating classes that center human interactions that foster the personal and professional growth of our students. Registration is required.  

Once registered, request a physical copy of the book by emailing Linda Summers. We will coordinate getting a copy to you. Physical copies are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is also a digital copy available through Milner library. 

Eligible Participants: Tenure-Track Faculty, Non-Tenure Track Faculty and Course Instructors, Graduate Students, Staff (AP and Civil Service) 

Small Changes Learning Community

Teaching can be an isolating experience. This reading group, intended for those who have been teaching at Illinois State for more than four years, provides an opportunity for instructors to engage in discussions to encourage peer support, networking, and mentorship. Experience new confidence in yourself and your ability to teach! 

During the Spring semester, we are going to have 6 articles which fit into our group idea about small changes you can implement that will have an impact on student learning. Each meeting will have a different theme. The first three will be AI usage by students, high-impact practices especially for 1st-gen students, and Faculty Burnout.  The topics for the last 3 will be determined by what the group wants to read and discuss.  We meet 6 times in the semester over lunch and support each other in our teaching across disciplines.

Reach out to Sarah Boesdorfer for information about joining the group.

Eligible Participants: Faculty and Course Instructors who have been Teaching at the university for over 4 years.