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SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

May 14, 2026
Register by May 7th for Free Lodging!

The 2026 UMA Faculty Institute seeks presentation proposals from faculty and staff across all University of Maine System disciplines and campuses. This year, we explore what it means to teach with humanity: to lead with empathy, foster inclusion, and design with purpose in an increasingly technology-rich academic landscape. This year’s theme was intentionally designed to be broad and welcoming, creating space for faculty to share the ideas, challenges, and innovations that matter most to them. By centering connection, inclusion, and purpose, we invite diverse perspectives, from those exploring AI or new teaching strategies to those focused on access, belonging, and the human side of education.


Deadline: Submit your proposals by Friday, March 27th. We'll announce accepted presentations and update our program in late-March. Early submission is encouraged as slots will be filled with presentations from faculty and staff across the University of Maine System on a rolling basis.

The 2026 Faculty Institute Registration, Welcome, and Program Schedule 

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

All sessions are in person and live online:

Registration and Breakfast

Jewett Hall - Danforth Art Gallery

Welcome

Room: Farber Forum (Jewett 156)
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9:15-10:30 am: Morning Keynote

Room: Farber Forum (Jewett 156)
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1:15-2:30 pm: Afternoon Keynote - 

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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.

Accessibility Statement and Accommodations

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 Faculty Development Center if you have questions at uma-fdc@maine.edu.
  • This event will include live CART captioning for each of the sessions.
  • Accessible presentation materials for each session will be available for download prior to the event on May 1, 2026. 
  • Each presentation will be recorded and shared publicly following the event. 

The University of Maine System is committed to providing access to the University for people with disabilities. Requests for accommodations must be made with advance notice to allow the University adequate time to respond. If you have any questions or additional accessibility requests, please reach out to: uma email.

 

The University Collaborative
Faculty Institute 

Is Hyflex!

Attend in-person, Online live, or Asynchronously.

May 14th, 2026

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Breakfast, Lunch, and Swag 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 14.

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 13 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 14th

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.

  • Celebrating 30+ Years of Distance Education at UMA 

  • Approximately 70% of UMA credit hours are delivered to students through distance courses and UMA. This distribution of distance education to face-to-face makes UMA unique within the University of Maine System.

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.