image of a clocktower with words: collegium on college teaching practice

Collegium

2 keynote speakers on a stage talking to a room full of faculty

Now in its 26th year, UCO's 21st Century Pedagogy Institute's (21CPI) Collegium on Effective Teaching Practices will feature a thoughtful keynote, dynamic breakout sessions, celebratory teaching awards, a satisfying lunch, cool prizes, and more. We will join as a community for a day of focusing on the craft of teaching and learning as we work together to improve the quality of education on our campus.

This Year's Theme

Authentic Teaching: Preserving Values in Changing Times

Wed., Aug. 13, 2025 | 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | UCO College of Liberal Arts Building

Join us for this year’s Collegium on Effective Teaching Practices, where we explore the power of authenticity in education. Navigate challenges of accessibility, AI, and advocacy while staying true to your transformative teaching values. Discover practical approaches to engage with emerging issues without compromising what matters most. Through collaborative discussions and targeted workshops, rediscover why you teach and how to sustain yourself in the process. Leave energized with strategies that align your classroom practices with your core values.

Meet Our Keynote Speaker

Dr. Liz Norell

Dr. Liz Norell is Associate Director of Instructional Support in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at the University of Mississippi. She has spent more than 20 years teaching in higher education. She completed a PhD in political science at the University of Texas Dallas and master’s degrees in journalism and library science. Liz’s first book, The Present Professor: Authenticity and Transformational Teaching, is published in the University of Oklahoma Press’s series, Teaching, Engaging, and Thriving in Higher Ed. You can find Liz on social media (@liznorell) and at her web site, liznorell.com.

headshot picture of Dr. Ben Heddy

This Year's Schedule

This year's Collegium will be held in-person only, with no virtual options.

  • 8:00-8:30 a.m. – Coffee & Light Snacks
  • 8:30-9:00 a.m. – Welcome from President Lamb and Provost Simmons, 21CPI Recognitions;
  • 9:00-10:20 a.m. – Keynote Presentation
  • 10:30 a.m.-11:20 a.m. – Concurrent Breakout Sessions; Concurrent Keynote Workshop;
  • 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. – Concurrent Breakout Sessions
  • 11:30-2:00 p.m. – Resource Fair
  • 12:20-1:30 p.m. – Lunch
  • 1:30 p.m.-2:20 p.m. – Concurrent Breakout Sessions
  • 2:30 p.m.-3:20 p.m. – Concurrent Breakout Sessions
  • 3:20 p.m. – Prize Giveaways - Including an iPad!

*All events will be held in the Liberal Arts-South (LAS) Wing Building (Building #35 on the UCO Campus Map).

We are working to make this a sustainable event, so please bring your water bottles!

Concurrent Breakout Session Submissions

If you would like to submit a proposal for one of our concurrent breakout sessions, we encourage you to do so for topics related to one of the following areas:

  • Course Design, for example, sessions on Universal Design for Learning, Understanding by Design, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Students As Partners in Teaching & Learning, etc.
  • Learner Engagement Strategies, for example, sessions on the use of Concept Mapping, Self-Regulated Learning, Team Based Learning, Narrative Pedagogies, Case Studies, etc.
  • Learning Outcomes & Assessments, for example, sessions on using a type of assessment to improve learning such as direct, indirect, authentic, diagnostic, or formative assessments
  • Inclusive Learning Ecosystems, for example, sessions on inclusivity, the mindful use of technology, incorporating social-emotional dimensions of learning, etc.
  • Student Transformative Learning Record (STLR), for example, sessions on how to help students develop in one or more of the STLR Tenets

As part of these areas, we are searching for proposals that would be helpful for transformative teaching and learning, have broad appeal to faculty, account for diverse learners, contribute to better learning environments and are learner-centered. We hope to receive many exciting proposals in these and other areas that you believe are relevant for this year's collegium.

Proposals can be 25 or 50 minutes in duration. To submit your proposal, visit the site below, create an account and finalize your submission.

The submission deadline is listed on the submission site.

Registrations

UCO Registrations

Non-UCO Registrations

UCO Faculty, Staff, & Students, please use the following form to register for this year's Collegium:

We are reserving a limited number of seats for faculty and staff from other colleges and universities. This wonderful event is only $75. Please use the following link to register and pay for this year's Collegium with a credit card. Please contact us (21cpi@uco.edu) if you need to pay by purchase order.

Past Programs