Spring 2025 Professional Development Day Events
Tuesday, February 11, 2024
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Beverages and light refreshments provided
As a courtesy to our presenters, please register for the individual sessions that you plan on attending. All sessions will be held in-person.
Keynote Presentation:
Invisible Disabilities: Cultivating Understanding, Allyship, and Inclusion in the Workplace and Classroom
Presented by Christina Irene
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
9:00 - 10:30 am
Williams Center Multipurpose Room (this session will not be recorded at the presenter's request)
This session will provide an overview of invisible disabilities, including definitions, diagnoses, identity, and prevalence, as well as an exploration of the fluidity of disability, including how visibility, severity, and impacts can vary even within the same diagnosis. Through real-life profiles, participants will gain insight into the experiences of individuals with chronic pain, chronic illness, mental health conditions, and cognitive impairments. The session will also address the social symptoms of disability, including the experiences of caregivers, and delve into the intersectionalities that shape disability identity and create unique barriers. A key focus will be on “illness shaming” and how to foster allyship to build a stigma-free culture, while examining why some individuals choose not to disclose their disabilities. We will explore concepts such as passing, second-hand passing, and imposter syndrome in relation to disability.
Additionally, the session will provide practical tips for fostering an inclusive atmosphere and encouraging self-identification, alongside four key themes of inclusivity and how to implement them in the classroom, workplace, and daily life. Attendees will also gain an understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), with actionable strategies for incorporating its three pillars. The session will conclude with a brief tour of available tools, resources, and further learning opportunities, followed by a Q&A session to address specific questions.
This keynote presentation is generously sponsored by the Office of Disability Support Services and the Division of Student Affairs. Special thanks go to Jennifer Ruhland, Director of Disability Support Services.
About the Speaker:
Christina Irene is a disability and diversity speaker who works with corporations, not-for-profit organizations, government entities, and educational institutions all over the world. Her clients include Target, Redfin, Johns Hopkins University, United States Navy, and numerous SUNY campuses.
Using a lived-experience approach, she invented the Splat system of communication and published a series of books on it, including Talking Splat: Communicating About Hidden Disabilities, Splatvocate: Supporting People With Hidden Disabilities, and the upcoming Spactivity Book: Self-Care and Carefree Distractions for Adults with Hidden Disabilities.
Christina’s past careers include high school English and theatre teacher and nationally-touring stand-up comedian. She lives with physical, cognitive, and mental health disabilities.
10:30 - 11:00
Refreshments and Networking
11:00 - 11:50 am
Invisible Strengths: Understanding and Supporting Students with Invisible Disabilities
Student Panelists: Ella Fallon, Micah McEathron, Reyna Reisner
Facilitated by Jennifer Ruhland, Director of Disability Support Service
11:00 - 11:50 am
Williams Center, S204 D
Join us for an insightful discussion featuring students who experience invisible disabilities. In this session, our panelists will share their personal experiences navigating academic life, campus culture, and accessing support systems. This conversation will offer a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by students with conditions such as chronic illness, mental health disorders, learning differences, and neurological conditions. Faculty and staff will gain valuable perspectives on how to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students, as well as strategies for improving communication, empathy, and accommodations. Through open dialogue, we aim to enhance awareness and encourage the creation of a more accessible, equitable campus community for everyone.
Creating Accessible Document with Ally and Grackle: A Practical Guide for Inclusive Teaching
Lisa Melohusky, Laura Shrader, and Brianna Garland, Office of Online Learning
11:00 - 11:50 pm
Williams Center, S204 E
In this session, we will introduce you to the accessibility tools Ally and Grackle. While Ally is used inside FREDLearn, Grackle can be used throughout Google Drive. Both tools identify accessibility issues within your course material and then provide guidance on how to make improvements. The desired outcome of both tools is to make course materials more accessible for all students, particularly those with disabilities. We will walk you through using the tools, the most common issues to arise in your documents, and how to make the necessary adjustments to make your documents accessible. A course syllabus will be used as an example, so feel free to bring along a laptop and a current syllabus (or other course document such as a course schedule) to work on so that you can leave the session with a more accessible document for your course.
12:00 - 12:50 pm
Leveraging AI Tools for Inclusive Teaching: Practical Solutions for Every Classroom
Kathleen Gradel, Education Department, Chair and KimMarie Cole, English Department, Chair
12:00 - 12:50 pm
Williams Center, S204 D
This session will explore using artificial intelligence to support inclusive teaching practices. Faculty and staff will be introduced to AI-powered tools that can help meet the diverse learning needs of students in our courses. We’ll look at examples illustrating both student and faculty use. Bring your examples and questions!
Rethinking the Mental Health Crisis Narrative in Higher Education
Dr. Tracy Stenger, Vice President of Student Affairs & Jeff Janicki, Clinical Director of Mental Health Services
12:00 - 12:50 am
Williams Center, S204 E
The prevailing narrative around mental health in higher education often focuses on a "crisis" of individual students, emphasizing diagnoses, deficits, and increasing demands for clinical services. While acknowledging the real struggles students face, this narrative can be limiting and inadvertently contribute to stigma. This workshop proposes a shift towards a more holistic, systemic, and strength-based approach, focusing on creating a culture of well-being and addressing the environmental factors that contribute to student mental health.
1:00 - 1:50 pm
Grading Inclusively: Labor-Based Grading Contracts
Susan Spangler, Professor, English Department
1:00 - 1:50 pm
Williams Center, S204C
Discover the latest trend in inclusive and antiracist assessment, ungrading with labor-based grading contracts. You’ll learn the theory behind this growing assessment methodology, see examples of LBGCs in action, and find ways to incorporate this practice into your own courses.
Roundtable Discussion: Navigating the Uses and Challenges of AI in the Classroom
Discussion facilitators: KimMarie Cole, English; Kathleen Gradel and Mike Jabot, Education; Christina Hilburger, Reed Library; and Jennifer Hildebrand, History; and Dawn Eckenrode, Professional Development Center
1:00 - 1:50 pm
Williams Center, S204 D
Join us for an engaging roundtable discussion where faculty members are invited to share experiences, insights, and questions about the role of AI in the classroom. As AI tools continue to shape teaching and learning, we’ll explore both the opportunities they present and the challenges they pose. This collaborative discussion will allow attendees to exchange ideas, voice concerns, and collectively brainstorm strategies for effectively integrating AI into the classroom. Whether you're already using AI or just starting to explore its possibilities, your perspective will contribute to a richer understanding of how AI is transforming education and how we can navigate its complexities together.
Solve Your Problems with Money: Intro to Grants at Fredonia
Justin Couchman, Director of Sponsored Programs
1:00 - 1:50 pm
Williams Center, S204 E
In this session we will briefly introduce the processes to fund research or other initiatives externally, including some examples of past projects, possible opportunities, and how to find them. We work with a team at the SUNY Research Foundation that is available to you whether you are working on a grant, applying, or just thinking about the possibility of using external money to fund your work. Feel free to bring any questions.
About Professional Development Day
Fredonia is a community of learning in which faculty and staff recognize the importance of modeling lifelong learning for our students. As such, one day has been designated in the academic calendar, during which faculty and staff from all divisions are encouraged to participate in campus-wide professional development dialogues and activities.
Participants are encouraged to attend all or part of the day. Activities and presentations will enable participants to connect with one another while exploring different ways of thinking about teaching, learning, and working.
Faculty attending Professional Development Days