The 2025 UMA Faculty Institute organizing committee invites presentations from faculty and staff across all disciplines and campuses within the University of Maine System, as well as from higher education colleagues nationwide. The Institute aims to explore the intersection of:

  • Artificial intelligence,
  • Accessibility,
  • Neurodiversity, and
  • Emerging instructional strategies in distance education.

Through collaborative discussions and innovative presentations, we will examine how AI can enhance learning while ensuring ethical and inclusive practices, how accessibility and Universal Design for Learning can create more equitable educational experiences, and how faculty can implement promising pedagogies and technologies to support diverse learners.

By fostering multi-university collaboration, we seek to reimagine teaching and learning in ways that empower students, faculty, and the citizens of Maine and beyond. 

Faculty Institute 2025 Sessions (At a glance)

The 2025 Faculty Institute Registration, Welcome, and Program Schedule (View 2024 Recordings)

The full program starts at 9:00 am and the event concludes at 4:00 pm.

Join us in person or online:

9:00-9:15 am: Welcome

9:15-10:30 am: Morning Keynote - Dr. Luke Hobson - speaking on AI in Higher Ed

Bio:

Dr. Luke Hobson
Assistant Director, Lecturer

Dr. Luke Hobson is the Assistant Director of Instructional Design at MIT xPRO and a Lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Miami’s School of Education and Human Development. He is the author of What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer and the host of the Dr. Luke Hobson Podcast and YouTube Channel.

Dr. Hobson was named one of the top learning influencers in 2022 and a top e-learning expert in 2023. Feedspot recently recognized his podcast as the number one instructional design podcast in 2025. His research has been featured in Inside Higher Ed and recognized by OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Education initiative and the Division of Continuing Education at Harvard University.

Session Description:

Generative AI is one of the most talked-about topics in education today, but how can it be effectively applied to teaching, instructional design, and the student experience? In this session, we’ll explore real-world examples using tools like Gemini, NotebookLM, ChatGPT, DALL·E, Sora, and more. Together, we’ll examine how Gen AI can support reimagining learning strategies, creating custom GPTs, integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, enhancing accessibility, designing AI-powered agents, and beyond. Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your practice, this session will provide practical takeaways and future-focused ideas for your learning experiences.

Speaker: Brianna Grumstrup | Assistant Professor of Special Education, UMF

Title: Universal Design for Learning and Positive Behavior Supports in the College Classroom

Description: Two evidence-based practices (EBPs) contributed to making me an effective special education teacher of students with intellectual, developmental, and multiple disabilities. These same skills are crucial for general and special educators to possess and implement. These crucial practices are Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and positive behavior principles. This session will cover UDL principles shown to be effective in K-12 settings, which also achieve meaningful and successful learning environments for adults. Specifically, this is achieved  through a combination of lecture, whole group and small group/partner discussion, small group and individual in-class and out-of-class assignments, and media such as video, podcasts, social  media posts, and interactive polling or quiz platforms. The session will also address how evidence-based behavioral principles can be applied to the college classroom, such as offering abundant individual and group choice, timely and specific feedback, strategic presentation of complex tasks, discussion formats, and lesson pacing/length, as well as how to strengthen professional teacher dispositions through use of group contingencies and token economies. 

Speaker: Michael Curran | Associate Professor of Business, UMFK

Title: 90-credit degrees, the future of higher education

Description: The purpose of this session is to assess how 90-credit bachelors degrees (already approved by NECHE) will impact the direction of higher education in the future. The session will focus on why the market is looking for this and how it impacts teaching, learning, faculty, staff and the overall direction of higher education for the next decade

Speaker: Bec Buchanan | Associate Professor of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction, UM

Title: Fostering Creativity in Teaching and Learning

Description: The goals of this session are threefold. The first is to share my own attempts to integrate more creativity into my teaching and assignment design. I seek to provide students with opportunities to make sense of content in non-traditional ways, and I have several examples from my teaching and publications related to this practice. The second is to share how a colleague and I have been co-creating artwork to process our experiences as teacher educators. The third is to engage participants in a collaborative creative activity. In particular, I will bring materials for us to do some bookmaking together. Through this hands-on process, we will explore innovative possibilities related to teaching around creativity, multi-modality, and collaboration. How might the things we create together be more than the sum of their parts? This activity will also involve a collaborative discussion around the challenges assessing non-traditional assignments both in terms of their "creative content" and in terms of authorship. These forms of teaching and learning challenge some of the taken-for-granted assumptions of higher education (like individualism and linear presentations of what students have learned). My hope is to create a space to interrogate these challenges together and foster new approaches. 

Speakers:
Jon Ippolito | Professor of New Media and Director of Digital Curation, UM
Greg Nelson | Assistant Professor in Computer Science, UM

Title: Following AI's Footprints from School to Society

Description: Large language models by their nature tend to steer toward the average, so perhaps it's not surprising that much of the debate over AI in education neglects its impact outside of campus and among marginal communities. This workshop aims to help educators broaden this important conversation. Participants will try out the AI IMPACT RISK framework (https://AI-Impact-Risk.com), a toolkit of videos, quizzes, and other resources designed to alert students to the many facets of AI's impact on society. In particular, framework creator Jon Ippolito will focus on a nonpartisan examination of AI's environmental effects in terms we can all understand, including apples-to-apples comparisons to the energy and water consumption of other common tasks. Gregory Nelson will look at the potential costs and benefits to neurodivergent learners, asking how they might be disproportionately disadvantaged or served by integrating this technology into the classroom.

Speakers:
Jessica Ludders | Senior Learning Experience Design Manager, UMA
Kati Corlew | Associate Professor of Psychology, UMA

Title: 5 Immediately Applicable Strategies for Creating a Neuro-inclusive Course

Description: Neurodivergent students bring valuable perspectives and unique ways of learning—but unintentional course design can create barriers to success. In this session, we'll explore research-backed strategies to make your courses more neuro-inclusive. From flexible deadlines to humanized teaching practices, each approach is practical, evidence-based, and designed to benefit all learners.  Grounded in research on executive function and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), these strategies aim to reduce cognitive overload, support student autonomy, and foster a greater sense of belonging. You'll leave with concrete takeaways and fresh insight into how small but powerful shifts in your course design can transform the learning experience for all students.

1:15-2:30 pm: Afternoon Keynote - Dr. Ann Knettler - speaking on Creating Accessible Course Content

Bio:

Dr. Ann Knettler
Vice President, Consulting

Ann currently serves as the Vice President of Consulting for GrackleDocs, a world leader in digital accessibility. An accessibility strategist with over 18 years of experience as an ADA and 504 Compliance Officer, Director of Disability Resources offices, and global corporate policy advisor; Ann is a sought-after speaker, educator, and consultant.

As a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), Ann currently represents the Association as a member of the Council of Representatives for the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) where she has co-authored and updated policy and standards for the entire field of higher education and currently sits on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

A published researcher, Ann regularly presents and consults globally on topics such as the depth and breadth of digital accessibility, disability rights, assessment and the use of data as an advocacy tool, disability policy and policy reform, strategic planning for organization-wide access, creating and using policy and accessibility standards, program review, ableism, and the social justice model of disability.

Ann is an active faculty member in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Master of Public Administration Programs at Delaware State University. She received a Masters of Arts in Counseling in Higher Education with an emphasis in Mental Health from the University of Delaware and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Delaware State University. Her dissertation focuses on the lived experiences of ableism and able-body privilege by students with disabilities in higher education and the impact that experience has on their receipt of an accessible and equitable education.

Session Description:

As digital learning environments continue to evolve, the need for accessible course materials and technologies is more critical than ever. This keynote will guide faculty through the practical, ethical, and legal dimensions of digital accessibility within the context of higher education. By exploring small, manageable changes to how we design and deliver content, this session demonstrates how inclusive practices can improve learning outcomes for all students—while also meeting growing legal standards, such as the newly updated ADA Title II (2024).

Through real-world examples and myth-busting insights, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how accessibility supports equity, engagement, and academic success. From syllabi and lecture slides to course websites and multimedia, discover how small shifts in design can remove systemic barriers and make a big impact.

Learning Outcomes for Higher Education Faculty and Staff

By the end of this session, faculty participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the role of digital accessibility in promoting equitable access to course materials and educational experiences.

  2. Recognize the impact of recent ADA Title II updates on colleges and universities, and understand their responsibilities under current accessibility laws.

  3. Identify common barriers to accessibility in higher education course design.

  4. Implement simple, evidence-based strategies for improving accessibility in everyday academic tools (e.g., PowerPoint, Word, LMS platforms).

  5. Evaluate digital course components using built-in accessibility checkers and proactively address accessibility needs.

  6. Foster a more inclusive classroom culture by making accessibility a proactive part of course planning and delivery.

Speaker: Jessica Riccardi | Assistant Professor, UM

Title: Embedding AI in Graduate Clinical Coursework

Description: The purpose of this presentation is to describe the design, implementation, and outcomes related to embedding AI as a learning tool in graduate clinical education. The example course includes "neurocognitive disorders", a graduate level course in the MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders program at UMaine preparing clinical speech-language pathologists. AI was used in teaching and learning activities to support foundational knowledge and applied assessment and treatment knowledge and skills. The strategies to teach graduate students about and how to use AI, expectations for academic integrity, and quantitative and quantitative outcomes will be discussed. Practical takeaways and future directions will also be presented. 

Speaker: Reihaneh Maarefdoust (ZOOM) | AI Researcher, UM

Title: Using AI to personalize Questions and improve student outcomes

Description: We will explore how AI personalizes educational questions using student-specific information. This approach enhances engagement, comprehension, and learning outcomes. Attendees will learn how AI-driven question adaptation works, its benefits, and practical implementation strategies. Join us to discover how AI can create a more tailored and effective learning experience.

Speakers:
Jessica Ludders | Senior Learning Experience Design Manager, UMA
Rachel Church | Learning Designer, USM

Title: From Barriers to Bridges: Designing for Accessibility and Engagement

Description: Did you know that improving digital accessibility in your class also increases student engagement? This session will help you reframe accessibility to understand that reducing barriers in course design benefits everyone. We'll explore why designing with accessibility in mind leads to better learning outcomes, how it removes hidden barriers, and why it's not just about compliance—it's about connection. You'll see how sustainable shifts can lead to big improvements in student experience and engagement. We'll explore simple, practical strategies that align with accessibility best practices. We'll also connect you with resources like campus learning designers, librarians, and UMS-wide offerings such as the Designing Accessible Digital Content series and UMA's ACCESS course. Come to the session for the practical strategies and leave feeling empowered and ready to take the next step on your accessibility journey.

Speakers:
Tina Daigle | Manager Faculty Development Services & Senior Learning Experience Designer, UMA
Dana Wands | Tech Hub Services Coordinator, UMA

Title: Reimagining Instructional Strategies to Support ALL Learners

Description: What does effective teaching look like in an era of AI-driven learning and diverse student needs? How can we better support ALL students? This session invites faculty to rethink instructional strategies by leveraging inclusive course design, accessible learning technologies, and student-driven engagement strategies. Topics will include fostering meaningful discussions, personalizing learning experiences, and designing authentic assessments that promote critical thinking and creativity in online environments. We will explore strategies for building strong online communities with consideration of students’ experiences. Bring your ideas to share!

Speakers:
Timothy Surrette, Associate Professor of Education, UMA
Sharon McMahon-Sawyer, Associate Professor of Justice Studies, UMA
Jenifer Cushman, University President, UMA
Ken Eliot, Professor Emerita, UM
Magda Nisponska, Assistant Professor of Pedagogy, TUL
Greg Fahy, Associate Professor of Philosophy, UMA
Andrei Strukov, Senior Projects Specialist, UMA

Title: Exploring Opportunities For International Education and Faculty Collaboration

Description: Are you a UMS faculty member interested in international travel and collaborations with faculty at universities abroad in your discipline? Members of this panel will present about the long standing relationship between the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) and the Technical University of Liberec (TUL), Czech Republic. Faculty from both UMA and TUL will discuss their experiences over the past two years completing a Comenius Education Research project, a Collaborative Online Learning (COIL) mobility, or an EuRopean Action Community Scheme for the Mobility of University Students (ERASMUS+) mobility. COIL aims to facilitate opportunities for online learning in an international setting, with interactive involvement of students and faculty from different international and intercultural backgrounds in and outside the classroom. ERASMUS+ offers faculty members in higher education opportunities to engage in teaching, training, or professional development activities abroad within ERASMUS+ program countries or partner countries. Panel members will discuss teaching and scholarship opportunities associated with these international collaborations. There will be time allotted for attendees to ask questions of panel members.

FI Who Should Attend

The Faculty Institute is a rich compendium of professional development opportunities for distance educators across the University of Maine System and our valued community partners and colleagues worldwide through a virtual attendance option.

There is no cost to attend the Faculty Institute!

Normally, as a collaborative event, the Institute has a system-wide planning committee with faculty and staff representing each campus. The University of Maine at Augusta hosts this event for in-person attendees and facilitates the ability to participate virtually. While it has had various names over the years, the Faculty Institute has existed in some variation for the system for more than 30 years. 

It is our pleasure to carry on this tradition of offering a system-wide, collaboratively designed event with sessions presented by our faculty, staff, and guests. 

Thank you for visiting our site. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Join us at the UMA Faculty Institute, where innovation in teaching and learning takes center stage. This year, we extend our invitation not only to members across all campuses and outreach centers of the University of Maine System but also to our valued community partners and colleagues worldwide through a virtual attendance option.

This institute is a vital gathering for anyone engaged with or supporting today's educational methods, including hybrid, hyflex, and online modalities. Whether you are working with synchronous online classes, asynchronous content, hybrid or hyflex formats, or fully online courses, this event is designed for you. It is especially relevant for those involved in

  • Faculty (full-time, adjunct, or part-time)
  • Academic leaders and administrators
  • Support staff in academic and student services
  • Professionals in instructional design and technology
  • Anyone involved in developing or delivering digital learning content

By participating in the Faculty Institute, you'll connect with peers, discover innovative practices, and gain insights into leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of education in our University of Maine System and within the communities you serve.

EMPOWER TEACHING & LEARNING

Educators, students, workforce innovators, and AI explorers are at the heart of the AI Revolution in EDU. Join us at the UMA Faculty Institute to learn how the future of student success, inclusive education, and workforce readiness intersect with Artificial Intelligence. 

Be a part of this transformative journey and partner with each other in progress.

FI Accessibility Statement & Requests for Accommodation

The FI Planning Committee and support staff make every effort to make all content and experiences accessible to all from the outset. The university will also make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities upon request. 

Certain accommodations may require planning and resources for us to implement, so we ask that individuals needing accommodations submit their request as soon as possible and no later than May 1st

Email the UMA FDC if you have questions at uma-fdc@maine.edu.

The University Collaborative
Faculty Institute 

Is Hyflex!

Attend in-person, Online live, or Asynchronously.

May 15th, 2025

 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Breakfast, Lunch, and Gifts for those who attend live in Augusta!

Mileage Reimbursement
All full- and part-time UMS faculty attending in person on the Augusta campus will receive mileage reimbursement.
Instructions for faculty to request mileage reimbursement from the Faculty Institute will be included in your registration packet on May 15.

Professional and classified staff must work with their respective departments to obtain approval and funding for mileage reimbursement.

Lodging
Lodging for the night of May 14 is available for full-time and part-time UMS faculty, as well as professional staff traveling from an hour or more away.

Meals
Breakfast and lunch will also be provided during the Faculty Institute on May 15th

You can join us at:

  1. The University of Maine at Augusta,
  2. Virtually Live Through Zoom, and
  3. Asynchonously through Recorded Sessions.

[Directions to Augusta Campus]

From ITV in 1989 to HyFlex Today—and AI Tomorrow!

UMA has long been a pioneer in distance education. Beginning in 1989 with the launch of courses broadcast via Interactive Television (ITV), UMA established itself as a national leader in expanding access to higher education through technology.

“I think most people thought of it as only technology (i.e., television classrooms, TV cameras, microwave towers, etc.). However, what was created in 1989 was the first statewide comprehensive distance-learning network in the United States. Educators came from all over the country to learn first-hand what we were doing.” 
Dr. George Connick, former UMA President and pioneer of distance education in Maine

While the tools and technologies have evolved, UMA’s commitment to innovation in distance learning remains constant. What began with microwave towers and cameras has transformed into today’s web-based interactive classrooms, offering even more flexibility and engagement than the original ITV model.

Today, UMA students can choose from a range of learning formats—including In-Person, Hybrid/Blended, Distance Synchronous, Online, HyFlex, and instruction at UMA Centers and Campuses—designed to meet the needs of diverse learners. With the integration of artificial intelligence on the horizon, UMA continues to lead the way in designing the future of education.

The Faculty Institute is free to attend for full-time faculty, adjunct instructors, and staff in the University of Maine System, and this year we are including guests from Maine and Beyond!

Support and Funding

This year, the Faculty Institute is sponsored entirely by the University of Maine at Augusta. We welcome our UMS community and our state and national partners to this years Institute.

Flexible Text Options

  • CART, Automatic Captions, viewing full transcripts, and streaming live discussions on phone apps, such as Google Recorder or Ava, to transcribe voice to text for iPhone, are available on Android and Apple. Live Transcribe (Android—Apple) is also available for Android and iOS.