Pathways to Progress: Community College Summit

The registration cost is $99. Registration deadline is February 29.

Register & Pay by Credit Card

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Day 1 - TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2024

Sign in, Continental Breakfast & Networking - 8:00 a.m.
Welcome - 9:00 a.m.
Keynote: Dr. Lane Freeman, NCCCS Director of Online Learning - 9:15 a.m.
Concurrent Session 1 - 10:30 a.m.
Lunch (on your own) - 11:45 a.m.
Concurrent Session 2 - 1:45 p.m.
Concurrent Session 3 - 3:15 p.m.
End of Day 1 - 4:30 p.m.
Social Time - 5:00 p.m.

Day 2 - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024

Continental Breakfast - 8:30 a.m.
Concurrent Session 4 - 9:15 a.m.
Concurrent Session 5 - 10:45 a.m.
End of Conference - Noon

The conference will be held in Craven Community College's Orringer Auditorium, located at 800 College Court, New Bern, NC 28562.

Please use guest parking in AMC Lot 4A or Orringer Lot 5. View the Craven CC Campus Map for directions.

The local airport is Coastal Carolina Regional Airport. Other cities with airports within 45 minutes of New Bern are Greenville and Jacksonville. RDU in Raleigh is the closest major airport, two hours away.

Hotel Reservations

Craven CC has reserved a special block of rooms at the following:

• Courtyard by Marriott New Bern Riverfront: $169/night for all non-balcony rooms if reserved by February 4, 2024.

  Reserve Courtyard Marriott Room

• Double Tree by Hilton New Bern Riverfront: $179/night for Standard Double/King rooms if reserved by February 6, 2024.

  Reserve DoubleTree by Hilton Room

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lane Freeman, Director of Online Learning, North Carolina Community College System

Dr. Lane Freeman is the Director of Online Learning for the North Carolina Community College System in the Division of Programs and Student Success. Dr. Freeman started his career as a CTE teacher at Tarboro High School in rural eastern North Carolina for over a decade before transitioning to Nash Community College. While teaching high school, he implemented AVID strategies in the classroom to increase student engagement and success. He leveraged AVID strategies to demonstrate his pedagogical expertise by earning a National Board Certification in Career and Technical Education. Prior to working with the NC Community College System Office, Dr. Freeman was the Department Chair of Nash Online at Nash Community College where he supervised the transition of several curriculum degrees and programs to a fully online delivery method. As the Department Chair of Nash Online, he oversaw course development, online quality, and implementation of online strategies for success, including cross-walking AVID strategies into the online environment. Dr. Freeman worked closely with AVID for Higher Education (AHE) in writing the handbook “AHE High-Engagement Practices for Online Instruction” which includes over 30 online strategies that engage students in courses at a high level.

Presenter: Darrin Evans
Role/Title: Director VLC PD Center
College/Organization: VLC PD Center
Name of Session: Retire the PDF

In this presentation, participants will be introduced to using the EPUB format and ways they can use the format to decrease their reliance on PDFs.

Presenter: Dr. Trent Mohrbutter
Role/Title: Educational Consultant and AVID National Staff Developer
College/Organization: AVID
Name of Session: Integrating Best Practices in Lesson Design

This session explores metacognition and how the WICOR strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) can be integrated with intentional opportunities for reflection and connection in instructional design. Participants will leave this session with specific processes and strategies for increasing student engagement in the classroom, laboratory, and/or online learning environments. The focus will be on developing and applying strategies in instructional methodologies across all disciplines.

Presenter: Dr. Jenifer Marquis
Role/Title: Dean of Teaching and Learning
Co-Presenter: Kristi Reed
Role/Title: Director for the Center for Teaching and Learning and eLearning
College/Organization: Craven Community College
Name of Session: Hybrid and Online Teacher Training Professional Learning Course

Join us to share a professional development course that we designed and facilitate through the NCCCS Virtual Learning community. The course includes direct instruction within Moodle and also makes use of various Moodle activities and resources to allow learners to interact with the content, with the instructor and with each other. We will share external technology tools are also incorporated into the course to model innovative teaching methods.

Presenter: Dr. Jenifer Marquis
Role/Title: Dean of Teaching and Learning
Co-Presenter: Kristi Reed
Role/Title: Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and eLearning
Co-Presenter: Terri Van Sickle
Role/Title: Coordinator of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Co-Presenter: Dr. Trent Mohrbutter
Role/Title: AVID
College/Organization: Craven Community College
Name of Session: Aligning Research-Based Strategies and Digital Tools to Engage Learners

See how we align digital learning tools to increase learner engagement, ensure rigor, and teach critical thinking skills. This session will introduce and demonstrate instructional technology tools that pair well with research-based strategies to increase engagement, foster collaboration, and build relational capacity between students, the instructor, and the content through any mode of instruction.

Presenter: Tyler Robinson
Role/Title: Account Executive
College/Organization: Transfr Inc.
Name of Session: Career Exploration and Skills Training through Virtual Reality

Overview of Transfr content and demonstration through casting

Presenter: Dr. Lane Freeman 
Role/Title: Director of Online Learning, NCCCS
College/Organization: NC Community College System
Name of Session: Leveraging AI: 'Amplifying Intelligence' in the Classroom

In this session, participants will have the unique opportunity to delve into the world of large language models and their role in enhancing faculty efficiencies in educational settings. This session is designed to be an exploratory and interactive dialogue about the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence in education. Attendees will be given a comprehensive overview of how AI, specifically large language models, can be utilized as a powerful instructional tool, transforming the traditional teaching and learning processes. The session will also focus on practical applications of AI in the classroom, demonstrating how these technologies can not only augment the educational experience but also streamline administrative and instructional tasks for faculty. The interactive nature of this session invites participants to engage directly with the content, posing their questions and sharing insights about the use of AI in their teaching practices. This open dialogue format aims to foster a deeper understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations, encouraging educators to consider how they can effectively integrate these technologies into their curricula. Attendees will leave the session with a richer understanding of how AI can serve as a partner in education, amplifying intelligence and creativity in the classroom setting.

Presenter: Dr. Lane Freeman
Role/Title: Director of Online Learning, NCCCS
College/Organization: NC Community College System
Name of Session: Harnessing Generative AI with RICCE: Crafting Educational Content using Open Resources

This interactive workshop builds upon the foundations laid in Dr. Freeman's keynote on leveraging generative AI in higher education. This session dives into the practical application of the RICCE framework for writing effective prompts. Participants will learn how to utilize open educational resources (OER) to create engaging and innovative content in the classroom using tools like ChatGPT and Bing Copilot. The session is designed for educators who wish to integrate cutting-edge AI tools into their teaching methodologies. Attendees should come prepared with their laptops and have access to ChatGPT or Bing Copilot to fully engage with the hands-on activities. The RICCE framework will be introduced and explained in detail, providing a structured approach to crafting prompts that leverage AI capabilities for educational content creation. This workshop is not just about theoretical knowledge; it's a chance to experiment, create, and see the real-time impact of AI in education. By the end of the session, participants will have practical skills and strategies to enhance their educational practices using AI tools, aligning with the evolving needs of adult learners in today's digital age.

Presenter: Dr. Trent Mohrbutter
Role/Title: Educational Consultant and AVID National Staff Developer
College/Organization: AVID Name of Session: Engaging Strategies

This session combines focused notetaking and the 10-2 lesson structure as means to integrate engaging instructional strategies (WICOR) into content delivery with the least amount of adjustment on the part of the instructor.

Presenter: Dr. Trent Mohrbutter
Role/Title: Educational Consultant and AVID National Staff Developer
College/Organization: AVID
Name of Session: An Introduction to Socratic Education

Embark on a dynamic interactive journey into Socratic methods, designed to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule! Join us for an hour-long workshop that transcends disciplinary boundaries, offering valuable insights for educators across the community college campus.

Presenter: Donald Carpenetti
Role/Title: Chemistry Instructor
Co-presenter: Dakotah Dunbar
Role/Title: Student
College/Organization: Craven Community College
Name of Session: Research Opportunities for Teachers and Students in the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program (NITARP)

NITARP, the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program, gets teachers involved in authentic astronomical research. The program creates small groups of community college and high school educators with a mentor professional astronomer for an original research project. The educators incorporate the experience into their classrooms and share their experience with other teachers. Some things that make this program different from many (if not most) other programs: Each team does original research using real astronomical data, not canned labs or reproductions of previously done research. Each team writes up the results of their research and presents it in a science poster session at an American Astronomical Society meeting. Each team also presents the educational results of their experience in the program. The program runs over 13 months, not just a few days or weeks. Teachers are encouraged to involve their students from the beginning of the program. This presentation will describe participation in the 2023 cohort of NITARP from the perspective of a participating teacher and a participating student, details of the program and how to apply, and our 2023 research project: Building a Catalog of AGN with Erroneous Parallaxes Using WISE and Gaia.

Presenter: Donald Carpenetti
Role/Title: Chemistry Instructor
College/Organization: Craven Community College
Name of Session: Using Virtual Reality (VR) as a Supplement to Lab Activities in Chemistry Classes: Effects on Student Self-Evaluation of Lab Skills

A virtual reality chemistry activity was evaluated as a supplement to laboratory instruction for first-year college chemistry classes. Student self-evaluation of confidence in certain lab activities was surveyed prior to and post VR session. Virtual reality can offer an engaging and kinesthetic simulated laboratory experience. The player progresses through various laboratory tasks and is given a score based on their accuracy, precision, and efficiency in completing each task. From my perspective as an instructor the program addresses many of the issues that we are teaching students in introductory chemistry labs, but does so in a way that would be difficult to replicate in an actual laboratory. The virtual environment can provide unlimited samples for students to use (the lab can be refreshed with the pull of a virtual lever), does not require professional supervision for safety, evaluates students on results (we can do this to an extent when an experiment is completed, but without the ability to trace mistakes back to each individual moment of an experiment), and is legitimately enjoyable (based on several semesters of student feedback).

Presenter: Edward Sabat
Role/Title: Mathematics Faculty
College/Organization: Craven Community College
Name of Session: Learning Redefined: Project-Based Learning in Action

In this session, we will explore the essence of Project-Based Learning (PBL), focusing on its gold-star elements with a spotlight on authenticity. As educators strive to engage and empower students in meaningful learning experiences, PBL emerges as a powerful pedagogical approach. The session will not only define PBL but also dissect its core elements, placing special emphasis on how Authenticity acts as a catalyst for deeper understanding and skill development. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of what distinguishes PBL from conventional teaching methods, with a specific focus on how Authenticity elevates the learning experience. Attendees will gain insights into crafting PBL units that not only meet academic standards but also foster critical thinking, collaboration, and a genuine passion for learning.

Presenter: Darrin Evans
Role/Title: Director
College/Organization: VLC PD Center
Name of Session: Say Again?

In this presentation participants will be introduced to accessible math and the optimal way to set a screen reader to make sure they hear the most accessible math possible.

Presenter: Dr. Jenifer Marquis 
Role/Title: Dean of Teaching and Learning
Co-Presenter: Kristi Reed
Role/Title: Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
College/Organization: Craven Community College 
Name of Session: Implementing Quality Matters Standards into your College's Professional Learning Programs

Join us to learn how we implement a Community of Online ReDesign (CORD) program at our College to offer solutions that will move the distance learning courses at Craven Community College towards the highest standards of online course design and delivery.

Presenter: Dr. Paul Mills 
Role/Title: East Teaching & Learning Hub Co-Director
Co-Presenter: Dana Newton
Role/Title: East Teaching & Learning Hub Co-Director 
College/Organization: East Teaching & Learning Hub 
Name of Session: NC Teaching & Learning Hubs: Statewide Collaboration to Support Faculty Professional Learning

The number of individuals engaging in Teaching & Learning Hub-offered professional learning has nearly tripled in 2 years, resulting in Hub-trained instructors teaching more than 8,500 courses and reaching more than 74,000 students. We look forward to meeting you at our Teaching & Learning table during the summit.

Presenter: Mairin Gwyn 
Role/Title: Adjunct Instructor - Art Department
Co-Presenter: Chelsea Choate
Role/Title: English Faculty College/Organization: Craven Community College
Name of Session: CORD: Learning Through Liberal Arts

We will discuss our roles at CCC and our reason behind participating in CORD, each of us individually will highlight what we have learned thus far through CORD and how we implemented it in our courses for the benefit of students, and we will end with an activity that highlights the 3 modes of learning: Instructor-Learner, Learner-Learner, and Learner-Content along with the value of choice.

Presenter: Toni Blount 
Role/Title: Regional Impact Manager 
College/Organization: myFutureNC
Name of Session: 2 million x 2030: Every student counts!

Engage with the myFutureNC unique county attainment profile with over 18 Key Performance Indicators by finding the story within the data. Work alongside other attendees to assess the current county, regional and state learner resources. Let's discuss the opportunities for growth and identify the promising practices in your community!

Presenter: Nina Wilson 
Role/Title: Clinical Asst. Professor 
College/Organization: The University of Texas at Austin
Name of Session: Disrupting Deficit Narratives • Culturally Relevant Teaching

Cultivating positive learning environments is essential for all students to learn and develop. The literature is overrun with deficit thinking about diverse students, their families, cultures, socioeconomic background, abilities, and communities. Educators frequently lament about how to motivate students to “care” about their learning. Yet, some seldom do the self-work needed to foster equity mindedness to disrupt deficit narratives about low-income students, students of color, students with distinct learning needs, and students with disabilities. In this session we will discuss our role in disrupting deficit narratives through culturally relevant teaching.

Presenter: Nina Wilson
Role/Title: Clinical Asst. Professor 
College/Organization: The University of Texas at Austin
Name of Session: Developing Student Agency

Join us for an engaging and interactive session aimed at empowering both students and the educators who support them. We will delve into the concept of Student Agency and explore practical ways to cultivate it using proven AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) strategies. Through collaborative discussions, real-life examples, and hands-on activities, participants will discover how to integrate AVID methodologies into their instructional practices to promote Student Agency effectively. This session offers valuable insights and actionable strategies for fostering Student Agency and creating a more inclusive and empowering learning environment.

Presenter: Aaron Mabe 
Role/Title: Program Coordinator, Career and College Promise
Co-Presenter: Mary Olvera, Ph.D.
Role/Title: Program Coordinator, Career and Technical Education 
College/Organization: NC Community College System Office
Name of Session: Increasing Student Engagement in 9-14 Pathways

Are you familiar with 9-14 Pathways? Colleges interested in strengthening Career and College Promise - Career and Technical Education pathways and K-12 partnerships are encouraged to check out this session. Participants will gain insight into all the Perkins V elements that may be included in pathways to maximize student engagement and post-secondary matriculation. Discussion topics will include Career and College Promise Pathways, the High School to Community College Articulation Agreements, Career Advising and Coaching. This session is ideally tailored for Career Coaches, CCP Advisors, Secondary Partnership Coordinators and Directors, and Academic Deans. Presentation attendees will gain a greater understanding of Perkins V and its critical role in strengthening 9-14 Pathways, Secondary Partnerships, and academic advising strategies for prospective students.

Presenter: Jen Bogdanoff
Role/Title: Biology Faculty
Co-Presenter: Tyler Leaser
Role/Title: Mathematics Faculty
College/Organization: Craven Community College
Name of Session: Using Yellowdig to modernize classroom discussion

Presentation will introduce the audience to the Yellowdig platform and its features, give examples of how to use Yellowdig in online classes, share student feedback, and give the audience a chance to try out Yellowdig with an interactive activity.

Presenter: Melissa Shoup
Role/Title: Academic Success Coach
College/Organization: Craven Community College
Name of Session: Benefits Of Success Coaches On Campus

Introducing our roles and describing the benefits of our services. Strengthening the relationship between students and Faculty. Encouraging the use of ASC and offering soft skills tutoring. Promoting mental health and providing events that focus on Mental health.

Anyone who would like to attend this session will need to register ahead of time because space is limited:

Presenter: Denise Henning, Ph.D.
Role/Title: Director, UNCW/3C
College/Organization: Professor, Education Leadership
Co-Presenter: Kathleen Gallman, Ph.D.
Role/Title: Vice President for Instruction
College/Organization: Craven Community College
Co-Presenter: Timothy Maddox-Fisher, Ed.D.
Role/Title: Vice President, Instruction & IE
College/Organization: Lenoir Community College
Co-Presenter: Deborah Grimes, Ed.D.
Role/Title: Senior Vice President, Instruction (Ret.)
College/Organization: SACSCOC Substantive Change Reviewer
Name of Session: ASPIRING LEADERS: COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERS’ SUMMIT; Created BY community college leaders FOR aspiring community college leaders WITH university partnership

The Aspiring Leaders initiative is a partnership between North Carolina’s community colleges, along with the UNCW/3C Collaborative of Watson College of Education at UNCW. It is designed to support the cultivation and development of current and future community college leaders and professionals already working in community colleges who aspire and desire to pursue a career path to administrative roles. The Facilitator Mentors for this 4-hour mini-session will utilize a strengths-based framework to discuss topics including conflict resolution, fiscal management, and leadership principles. Come and enjoy this interactive professional development opportunity! Lunch is included. This session requires pre-registration and is limited to 28 participants.

Presenter: Zac Schnell
Role/Title: Environmental Science Director/Instructor
College/Organization: Pamlico Community College
Name of Session: Empowering Dual-Enrolled Students Through AI: Navigating the Path to Enhanced Focus and Productivity

Together we'll explore and apply the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing the educational journey of students with a focus on dual enrollment students. This presentation will delve into interactive strategies and practical applications of AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, Co-Pilot, and more, aimed at boosting engagement, fostering self-directed learning, and improving productivity. During this interactive session attendees will gain actionable insights into leveraging AI for building critical skills such as agency, self-reflection, and resilience. Highlighting real-world applications this session is designed to equip educators, leaders, and support staff with the knowledge to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices, thereby empowering students to achieve greater academic and personal growth.!

Presenter: Jennifer Boller
Role/Title: Director of Quality Assurance
College/Organization: Tutor.com
Name of Session: Empowering Tutoring: Strategies for Advancing Academic Independence

The art of impactful tutoring requires a robust collection of tutoring strategies as well as keen perception and ability to identify and assess student cues effectively. In this presentation we will share our 7 Tenets of Tutoring, which are the cornerstone of the academically sound tutoring sessions we strive to provide to every student we work with. Through clearly identifying student needs and goals, creating an environment that fosters strong collaboration, and engaging the student to allow them to demonstrate their understanding, we further develop the academic independence that will empower them through their scholastic journey.

For questions, please reach out to:
Dr. Jenifer Marquis
252-633-2039