Concurrent Session ScheduleIn-Service Week

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Description: Considering furthering your education with a master's or doctoral degree, or perhaps a graduate certificate? Join us for a lively and honest conversation about what it takes to balance work, life, and studies while pursuing an advanced degree. The session will kick off with a brief presentation covering the realities of grad school life. Then, hear from a panel of your colleagues who are currently navigating this journey.

Presenter: Kevin Andrews, Megan Gooding, Moriah Wyche, & Rachel Prucka

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Description: This session will explore the psychology of change and provide strategies for navigating it effectively. Participants will gain insight into why people often feel uncomfortable with change and the stages of the change process. Finally, participants will learn practical strategies to promote resilience during times of change.

Presenter: Debbie McNeely

Description: Join us for an informative session designed to equip Midland College faculty and staff with essential knowledge about the array of tutoring services and academic support available across campus. In addition to learning how to connect students with the right resources and locate tutoring services, you'll gain insights into the role of the new Department of Academic Engagement and its involvement in fostering student success. This session will ensure you feel confident in guiding students to the support they need while understanding the broader initiatives driving academic growth at Midland College.

Presenter: Cody Vasquez

Description: Communicating effectively at work is tough—especially when it involves other people! This fun, fast-paced session will help you handle awkward moments, navigate conflict, and turn tough talks into productive, positive conversations. Let’s make workplace communication less painful and a lot more powerful!

Presenter: Kevin Andrews

Description: This session introduces how Personas are defined and highlights the distinction between Personas and the student stories created using student traits. While traits can apply to multiple students and Personas, the stories were written to distribute these traits across different Personas, with each story focusing on a unique combination of characteristics. Understanding these definitions is critical for accurate reporting and meaningful application in student success initiatives.

Presenter(s): Heather Lindley, Miranda Poage, Tom Glenn

This session is repeated during the Session 2 block.

Description: Are you familiar with MC's poster policy? Do you struggle with promoting and advertising events? Would you like to know about where and what can be posted on campus? Please attend this informative session to learn about MC's posting policy and learn tips and tricks to engage your audience and increase attendance for your sponsored events and programs. Learn from Student Life and Marketing and Communications staff about what truly appeals to our community, especially students!

Presenter(s): Joseph Granado, Jaime Águila, Brie Ragland, Nicole Cooper, & Armand Cruz

Description: Join us for a pragmatic workshop designed to introduce approaches to the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER). This session will provide a brief overview of OER, highlighting the benefits of adopting these resources for both educators and students. We will explore various platforms and repositories where high-quality OER materials can be located, and discuss effective methods for evaluating and integrating these resources into your curriculum. Additionally, we will demonstrate AI tools that can assist in developing supplemental materials. Laptops, tablets, and phones are welcome and exploration throughout this session is encouraged. 

Presenter(s): Sondra Richards, Megan Gooding, Marc Kennedy, Georgia Pisklak

This session is repeated during the Session 2 block.

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Description: In this session, we will work to understand AI before it understands and outsmarts us. How soon until our new AI overlords take over higher education and put us out on the street? What office supplies can I pilfer now before that happens? In all seriousness, we will look at some of the possible use cases for AI in a higher education setting and how our computers can become our colleagues, not our competition.

Presenter(s): Kevin Andrews

Description: This session description is forthcoming. Please check back for updates. 

Presenter(s): Shelly Haney & Lori Haltom

Description: The DISC theory is a model that explains situation-based behavior through the lens of four personality traits including dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientionsness. This model encourages the self awareness of one's tendencies and preferences to facilitate and encoruage more effective communcation and interaction.

Presenter(s):  Steffie Oakleaf & Moriah Wyche

Description: This session introduces how Personas are defined and highlights the distinction between Personas and the student stories created using student traits. While traits can apply to multiple students and Personas, the stories were written to distribute these traits across different Personas, with each story focusing on a unique combination of characteristics. Understanding these definitions is critical for accurate reporting and meaningful application in student success initiatives.

Presenter(s): Heather Lindley, Miranda Poage, Tom Glenn

This session is also offered during the Session 1 block.

Description: Join us for a pragmatic workshop designed to introduce approaches to the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER). This session will provide a brief overview of OER, highlighting the benefits of adopting these resources for both educators and students. We will explore various platforms and repositories where high-quality OER materials can be located, and discuss effective methods for evaluating and integrating these resources into your curriculum. Additionally, we will demonstrate AI tools that can assist in developing supplemental materials. Laptops, tablets, and phones are welcome and exploration throughout this session is encouraged. 

Presenter(s): Sondra Richards, Megan Gooding, Marc Kennedy, Georgia Pisklak

This session is also offered during the Session 1 block.

Description: One of the benefits of working at Midland College is the opportunity to further your education. Whether you're seeking a degree, certification, or personal enrichment at Midland College (or other institutions of higher learning), there are numerous opportunities available to you as an employee. In this session, we will explore the Continuing Education programs offered at MC. Additionally, staff who have benefitted from the MC Foundation Grant and College District Scholarship will share their experiences. 

Presenter(s): Chelsy Gann, Jennifer Goolsby, Kathryn Zimmerhanzel, Kori Chisam

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Description: People fit into Four Tendencies: Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels. Which are you? Our Tendency shapes every aspect of our behavior so come learn more!

Presenter(s): Steffie Oakleaf & Moriah Wyche

Description: Join us for a brief overview of library resources and services. Topics include book and electronic resource acquisition, usage trends, and a walk-through of the library website. We will ask for your input to help us purchase the best resources for our students and faculty.  

Presenter(s): Georgia Pisklak & Brianna Barnard

Description: This session provides MC employees with the information they need to stay safe in a variety of emergency situations. In this training, you will learn about the stages of Midland College's Standard Response Protocols (SRP) in the event of an emergency. We will also discuss the Alertus app, Chap Alerts, and important campus locations such as AEDs and bad weather shelters. 

Presenter(s): Kevin Brunner & Sharief Savahl

Given the importance of the subject matter, employees hired after August 20th, 2024 are strongly encouraged to attend. 

Description: Ready to take your Microsoft skills to the next level? Join this whirlwind tour of intermediate features that will transform the way you work and collaborate. Learn to master virtual meetings, tame your to-do list, streamline scheduling appointments, interact with data, and access your work from anywhere. Let's level up your practical skills together!

Presenter(s): Kevin Andrews

Description: Are you curious about using artificial intelligence in your work as a professor but aren't sure where to begin? If so, this session is designed just for you. We will introduce several generative AI tools and discuss specific, practical strategies to use them in and out of the classroom. Additionally, we will provide AI policy templates for your syllabus and criteria for use in the classroom, which you can adapt to suit your needs.  

Presenter(s): Megan Gooding