Register for Colleague Development Days 2025

The Integrated Learning Encounter: Competency-Based Learning for Direct Entry Master’s Nursing Education

Presenters: Lori Glenn, Ashlee Barnes

Session Description:

This session will introduce participants to the Integrated Learning Encounter (ILE). The ILE is a method used to prepare entry-level nurses at the graduate level for the nursing profession while following a competency-based approach.  Students and faculty from all courses and levels in the Master’s Entry Advanced Generalist Nursing program come together for a daylong event to explore the nursing care of a single patient.  Perspectives include fundamental, medical surgical, mental health, and community health nursing, along with the theoretical and Mercy and Jesuit foundations.  Activities integrate knowledge from each class into seminar with discussion, team assignments, skills practice, group and self-reflections, and simulation.  Simulations are created using the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model and unfold throughout the encounter.  Students work in teams within and across program levels, which enhances teambuilding and communication skills. This innovative approach to competency-based education bridges the classroom-clinical gap and is well received by students and faculty.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe how the components of the ILE are used to develop and measure nursing students’ clinical judgment, communication, and teamwork.
2. Utilize the framework for the ILE to create learning activities that contribute to advancing student development.
3. Understand how faculty benefit by collaborating to develop the ILE.
4. Disucss the impact of student-faculty collaboration during the ILE.

Designing AI Chatbots to Simulate Real-World Challenges in the Classroom

Presenters: Phillip Olla, Marion J. Tate

Session Description:

Explore how AI-powered chatbots can bring authentic, real-world learning into your classroom. In this interactive workshop, faculty will learn to design chatbot-driven simulations that engage students in conversational role-play, problem-solving, and critical decision-making within safe, reflective environments. These tools foster active knowledge construction, iterative learning, and professional reasoning.

Participants will gain practical strategies to align chatbot scenarios with course outcomes, embed reflective prompts, and assess learning using built-in analytics. By the end of the session, faculty will be equipped to implement student-centered, experiential learning experiences that mirror the complexity and ambiguity of real-life challenges.

Learning Objectives:

1. Design chatbot-driven simulations.
2. Gain practical strategies to align chatbot scenarios with course outcomes, embed reflective prompts, and assess learning using built-in analytics.

From Streets to Scholarship: Centering Lived Experience, Justice, and Community in Higher Education

Presenters: Stacey Stevens, Yusef Bunchy Shakur

Session Description:

This session will use the internationally acclaimed documentary Redemption Road: The Story of Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur as a springboard to explore how lived experience can be integrated into academic settings to deepen student learning. The film traces Shakur’s transformation from gang member to the first Black and formerly incarcerated Executive Director of the historic Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities. Set in Detroit, Redemption Road offers a counter-narrative to the often-sensationalized portrayals of the city, illuminating the real, raw, and revolutionary experiences of those surviving disinvestment, mass incarceration, and systemic racism. Participants will engage in dialogue on the power of narrative, explore practical tools for creating meaningful community partnerships, and leave with strategies to humanize pedagogy through authentic engagement rooted in justice, healing, and transformation.

Learning Objectives:
1. Recognize the value of integrating lived experience and community-rooted expertise into higher education pedagogy to deepen student engagement, critical thinking, and cultural understanding.

2. Explore ethical and practical strategies for faculty, staff, and administrators to build collaborative partnerships with community experts that address systemic issues such as racism, poverty, and health inequity.

UDM IRB: Pro Tips for Project Approval

Presenters: Linda Slowik, Kelli Anderson, Julia Stocker-Schneider, Cristine Smoczer

Session Description:

Review the IRB approval process with special attention to applications in nursing, pedagogical research, optometry, and clinical and biomedical research. Tips on topics such as current thinking on informed consent, protecting vulnerable groups, publication and IRB, differences between research and quality improvement, privacy protection, financial conflict of interest, and management of sensitive data. Bring your research ideas to discuss and apply.

Learning Objectives:

1. Improve informed consent protocols.
2. Maximize protection of participant data.
3. Increase accessibility of IRB process.

Eye Wellness and Ergonomics

Presenter: Naureen Haroon

Session Description:

The workforce has changed from working within the confines of a cubicle all day. Whether you are using multiple monitors all day long, working directly with students or working with chemicals and toxic materials, the risk of visual and ocular harm has increased over the years. This session will review simple adjustments we can make to our office environment that will help reduce visual fatigue, eye injuries, and ocular discomfort.  It is critical for us to have the proper knowledge of what is healthy and what is harmful to the eyes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Evaluate their current visual demands and implement tips for creating a visually ergonomic space for themselves.
2. Recognize workplace hazards and modify their environment to avoid ocular and visual harm.
3. Recognize the truth and myths behind excessive blue light exposure and digital screen time.

A Study on Mental Health Intervention Integrated into Curriculum

Presenters: Ashlee Barnes, Arthur Ko

Session Description:

Mental and physical health interventions are essential elements in successfully completing educational requirements. In this study, nursing students participated in mindfulness interventions to prepare them for course activities by fostering an environment conducive to the achievement of learning outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to articulate the benefits of mindfulness interventions in reducing stress and in creating an environment conducive to learning.
2. Participants will analyze practical mindfulness interventions useful in classroom settings.

Day One Lunch Registration:
Join us for a complimentary lunch on Thursday, August 21, from 12:40 – 1:40 PM in McNichols Campus Library. This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and continue conversations about the morning CDD sessions. Advance registration is required to reserve your meal.

Implementing High Impact Practices for Student Success with Limited Resources

Presenters: Rick Hill, Chris Nichols

Session Description:

It is known that low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students have rates of retention and graduation that lag behind their peers. A growing body of research has identified a range of high-impact practices and exemplary programs that have been successful in improving outcomes for these at-risk populations. The challenge of emulating these successful examples is that their implementation can be costly and resource-intensive. Over the past four years, a team in the College of Engineering & Science has initiated the Science & Engineering Equity Development (SEED) scholars program with 40 engineering and computer science students. This pilot program has leveraged existing on-campus resources and external industrial partners to implement a range of high-impact practices in a financially sustainable manner. In this session, we will share details of the program, outcomes, and lessons learned for retention and recruitment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Build awareness about different techniques for building professional identity, sense of belonging, skills, and confidence for underrepresented and first-generation college students.
2. Hear about concrete outcomes of the ongoing 4-year pilot.
3.  Learn about the implications for student recruitment.

A Deeper Understanding of Mercy Critical Social Concerns by Participating in a Border Immersion Experience

Presenter: Gail Presbey

Session Description:

The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas offer immersion experience opportunities to faculty and staff of Mercy Higher Education. By participating in these immersions, Mercy employees can have a better understanding of the works that the Sisters are doing at the U.S. – Mexico border with immigrant communities, with a focus on developing the skills of immigrant women, who are encouraged to gather, reflect on their lives, and decide together how to act to better their own lives and communities, including concern for the environment. The presenter will share her experience on Mercy border immersions to McAllen-Reynosa and El Paso- Juarez, and tell attendees about upcoming opportunities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the Mercy Critical Concerns.
2. Attendees will have a more concrete idea of the challenges facing immigrant families at the U.S. (Texas) – Mexico border.
3. Attendees will learn how the Sisters of Mercy, working with immigrant women, have tackled and solved some of the problems facing their communities and bettered their lives.

Titans & the Stop Campus Hazing Act

Presenter: Emily Johnson

Session Description:

With the implementation of the Stop Campus Hazing Act in the federal sphere, it’s time for more Titans to understand the broader scope of not just the current act, but the state laws and University policies regarding hazing and how to report should something happen! This is especially important for any faculty/staff that moderate a student organization, athletic/intramural teams, and more!

Learning Objectives:

1. Faculty/Staff/Admin will learn where, how, and when to submit a report for a potential hazing incident.
2. Folks who attend this session will leave with a better understanding of what a potential hazing incident could look like, and how online modules for student groups will work.
3. Members of the community will leave the session knowing proper resources to direct themselves and their students to regarding hazing awareness and prevention.

Teaching Online Effectively: What You Need to Know

Presenter: Mitzi Saunders

Session Description:

In this session, attendees will learn the basics of teaching online, the skillset needed for teaching online, the benefits of online learning for both students and instructors, resources already in place for success at Detroit Mercy, how to construct and deliver course material and assignments, the crucial aspect of student feedback and use of grading rubrics, testing online even in high stakes programs, preparing students for online learning, class size recommendations, and integrating Jesuit and Mercy values in online teaching.

Learning Objectives:

1. Appraise online learning capabilities at Detroit Mercy.
2. Support the use of online learning at Detroit Mercy.

Backyard Birdwatching in Detroit and Its Surrounding Suburbs

Presenter: Erin Bell

Session Description:

During the pandemic, many people turned to birdwatching for comfort and calm. Looking at the view from our windows or walking through the woods provided a bit of respite from the world of screens. While we ostensibly have left those days behind, there is no time like the present to pick up birding where you might have left off.  This interactive session will explore the joy and accessibility of birdwatching, offering basic ID tips, helpful tools, and a look at some great free apps. We will also highlight current efforts to decolonize birding and share resources and organizations that support inclusive practices. Whether you are new to birdwatching or a seasoned spotter, this session will invite attendees to slow down, sharpen their focus, and discover how observing birds can build patience, presence, and just plain delight.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify at least 5–10 common backyard birds found in your local area through visual and auditory clues.

2. Explore and implement digital tools and mobile apps (such as Merlin) to support bird identification and personal nature tracking.

3. Reflect on the social and cultural dimensions of birdwatching, including recent efforts to decolonize the practice and promote more inclusive outdoor spaces.

Advancing Equity through Alternative Grading Systems

Presenters: Mara Livezey, Marwa Abdel Latif, Danielle N. Maxwell, Matthew J. Mio

Session Description:

Faculty from all disciplines are invited to attend this session where we will discuss student outcomes from classes using Alternative Grading Systems (AGS). AGS are a family of grading approaches that shift the focus from points-based learning to meeting learning outcomes. This session will briefly review theories of alternative grading, quantitative and qualitative student data, and faculty perspectives gathered across AGS courses in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. Most time will be spent in a roundtable discussion. Participants are encouraged to bring a type of assignment or assessment that they would consider converting to AGS to discuss with the group for suggestions on approach and implementation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Reflect on and discuss findings from survey and interview data about the impacts of AGS on equity and student perceptions for undergraduate science majors at the University of Detroit Mercy.
2. Collectively brainstorm ideas for converting various assessments to AGS with an equity-focused lens.

Mentorship Across Generations: Creating a Three-Tier Model for Onboarding and Scholarship Within the College of Health Professions

Presenters: Claire Nicholson, Nadine Wodwaski, Nour Lyon

Session Description:

The Detroit Mercy College of Health Professions (CHP) Mentoring Task Force was developed in 2024 with the goal of revamping and standardizing past models of new-hire onboarding within the college while simultaneously designing a structure for collaborative teams to promote innovations in teaching, scholarship, and career advancement for all involved. This presentation introduces the new CHP Mentoring Structure, which is grounded in Benner’s Novice to Expert framework. The program fosters reciprocal mentorship among faculty at different career stages—Advanced Beginner/Novice, Competent, and Proficient. Emphasizing equity, collaboration, and mutual accountability, the model builds a culture of trust and continuous learning, aligning with the college’s mission to promote faculty flourishing and academic excellence.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define strategies for effective onboarding, sustained scholarship, and collaborative pedagogy within multi-generational mentoring teams that foster creativity, productivity, and mutual accountability.

2. Identify and apply the principles of reciprocal mentoring within a triad structure to support professional development across teaching, scholarship, and service roles in their respective disciplines.

Living the Mission: Integrating Detroit Mercy’s Core Values into Daily Practice

Presenters: Anna Bryson, Mission Effectiveness Team Members

Session Description:

How do we bring our mission to life in the day-to-day? In this interactive session, faculty, staff, and administrators will explore Detroit Mercy’s five Core Values and reflect on their personal and professional significance. Through small-group dialogue, reflection, and shared insights, participants will identify meaningful, actionable ways to integrate these values into their work and campus community. Grounded in a spirit of collaboration and reflection, this session invites all members of the University to more fully embody the mission — every day, in every role.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn Detroit Mercy’s five Core Values and articulate their relevance to personal and professional role(s) within the university.
2. Reflect on how individual actions and decisions can embody and reinforce the university’s mission and values.
3. Develop at least one actionable step to integrate a chosen Core Value into daily work or interactions on campus.

Destress Scholarship: Dossier Preparation Strategies and Publishing Tools for UDM Faculty

Presenters: Jill Turner, Jennifer Bowen, Alexa Rihana-Abdallah

Session Description:

The scholarship section of the dossier is frequently the most stressful portion of the tenure and promotion process. Navigating the path from T&P criteria to submitting for peer reviewed publication to choosing a journal and ending with T&P dossier preparation, this session offers a step-by-step guide to make the process more approachable. In addition to discussing the UDM scholarship process and dossier preparation, this session will introduce library curated tools and methods for identifying legitimate journals and busting the myths surrounding Open Access publishing.

Learning Objectives:

1.Participants will be able to align their scholarly activities with the UDM tenure and promotion scholarship requirements.

2. Participants will be able to find and utilize library-curated tools to help evaluate potential journals for legitimacy and manuscript submission.

3. Participants will be able to apply dossier organization strategies when preparing their dossiers for tenure and promotion.

Understanding the “Hyphen” between Student – Athlete

Presenters: Traci Stewart, Robert Vowels, Amy Gasahl, Betsey Walkowiak

Session Description:

This session will expose attendees to the day in the life of a student-athlete. Attendees will learn about recruiting, joining a team as a freshman, and what it takes to study on the road. They will view the student-athlete from the athletic department standpoint and have an opportunity to discuss the student-athlete from the faculty standpoint. Attendees will hear about the importance of academic standing of our student-athletes and maintaining eligibility while continuing to practice and compete. There will be time for questions and open discussion during this session.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will be able to describe what a typical day looks like for a student-athlete, including school, sports, and travel.
2. Attendees will understand how both faculty and athletic staff can support student-athletes.
3. Attendees will be able to name at least two ways to help student-athletes stay on track academically when in their classes.

Community Engage Learning (CEL): What Is It and Why You Should Be Teaching a CEL Class

Presenters: Fr. Timothy Hipskind, Diego Arias

Session Description:

This session is aimed at faculty with an interest, but no (or limited) experience, in community engaged learning (CEL), a mission-centered pedagogy that connects community interests and related social issues with traditional classroom learning. Attendees will learn about Detroit Mercy’s approach to CEL. Our panel of presenters is composed of CEL faculty from all McNichols campus colleges and schools, and moderated by Fr. Tim Hipskind, Director of Community Engaged Learning. Our discussion will focus on answering what CEL is and why faculty value integrating a CEL pedagogy into their courses. Our CEL faculty will also provide concrete examples of what CEL looks like in their classrooms and share hands-on tips on developing a successful CEL pedagogy.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will leave with an understanding of what community engaged learning (CEL) is and the benefits of teaching a CEL course.
2. Attendees will learn about different models and approaches to integrating CEL into a course and CEL resources.
3. Attendees will learn who their college’s/school’s faculty liaison and CEL contact is.

Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training: Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

Presenters: Andrea Kwasky, Nour Lyon, Robi Thomas

Session Description:

Members of the College of Health Professions Wellness Committee will be presenting Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training. Participants will learn about the three simple steps to help save a life from suicide. Gatekeepers will be trained to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone for help. Mental health resources will be provided.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the common myths and facts surrounding suicidal behavior.
2. Recognize the early warning signs of suicide.
3. Describe ways to offer hope to persons who may be contemplating suicide.
4. Learn about methods of persuading a person contemplating suicide to get help

Today’s Funding Landscape and Intro to Grant Forward: How to Find Opportunities and Prepare to Apply

Presenters: Ann Serra, Michele Favoretto, Kate Harger

Session Description:

This session is designed to inform and equip participants with strategies to adapt to new funding opportunities and challenges.

Are You Having a Ruff Day at Work? Don’t Fur-Get the Benefits of Pet-Friendly Work Environments

Presenter: Ahmed Radwan

Session Description:

There are many reported benefits to owning and raising pets. This may include physical, social, and mental health benefits. Recently, there has been a noticeable rise in pet-friendly office working environments and the accompanying policies that control the process of bringing pets to work. However, little is truly known about the evidence behind pet-friendly work environments and the true health/work-related values they enhance.

This presentation will explore the findings of a recent systematic review, conducted by the same author, examining the health and workplace-related outcomes associated with pet-friendly office environments. The review revealed statistically significant improvements in physical, mental, and social well-being among employees working in such settings, whether in-office or remote. Highlights include increased physical activity, reduced physiological stress, improved psychological well-being and life satisfaction, and stronger organizational engagement and support.

In addition to sharing the evidence, this session will discuss the importance of implementing clear, structured pet-friendly workplace policies to ensure a positive and inclusive experience for all employees.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the key physical, mental, and social health benefits associated with pet-friendly work environments.

2. Describe how pets can influence workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and team dynamics.

3. Share the experience of the College of Health Professions (CHP) in implementing some pet-friendly environments.

3. Evaluate the potential challenges and considerations when implementing a pet-friendly workplace policy.

4. Formulate recommendations for integrating pets into office environments in a way that promotes inclusivity, safety, and well-being for all staff.

Book Reports on Out-of-Date Books: Darwin Durkheim Smith

Presenter: Michael Barry

Session Description:

I am reading a few so-called Great Books, or chapters of them anyway, in disciplines adjacent to my own. Charles Darwin, Emile Durkheim, and Adam Smith. What do I gain from it? I don’t know until I do it, but there will be something. Actually, I do know already, a little. Darwin’s “Struggle for Existence” is less about a struggle between species and more about struggle between individual members of the same species. I’m sure that some of those in attendance will have more expertise than I do.

Making Digital Content Inclusive: Practical Strategies for Accessibility Compliance

Presenters: Megan Novell, Nathan Balter Blume, Jill Spreitzer, Michele Favoretto

Session Description:

Learning Objectives:

Prompting AI to Maximize Teaching Moments (Online)

Presenters: Tamika Thompson, Marinele Campos

Session Description:

Artificial intelligence isn’t here to replace educators—it’s here to empower them. In this fast-paced and practical session, we’ll explore how strategically crafted prompts can unlock the full potential of AI tools to help faculty save time, enhance instruction, and increase their impact on student success. From generating tailored teaching materials and assessments to gaining prompt-driven insights into student learning.  AI is redefining what’s possible in the classroom. Attendees will leave with real-world examples, effective prompting techniques, recommended tools, and actionable strategies for responsibly integrating AI into their educational practice—no technical expertise required.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to design guided prompts that help you craft personalized, dynamic teaching materials tailored to your students’ needs.

2. Explore and compare teaching activities powered by AI and those created the traditional way.

3. Discover how to use AI to design both dental-themed and fun, non-dental activities that boost engagement and make learning more exciting.