GPAC Events

Events

The GPAC Events are monthly events developed and hosted by members of the Center for Teaching and Learning’s Graduate Student and Postdoc Advisory Council. These events are opportunities for graduate students and postdocs to come together to discuss relevant teaching and learning related topics in a relaxed and supportive environment.

The GPAC events take place monthly during the school year. When in person, these events have taken place at the Graduate Center. Since the 2020-2021 school year, most events have been offered remotely via Zoom, with some offered as a hybrid option (watch party at the Graduate Center with snacks provided by CTL). All graduate students and postdocs are welcome to attend.

Note: Participation in these gatherings does not apply toward the completion of requirements for CTL professional development programs. Until Fall 2018, these events were known as Graduate Student Teaching and Learning Community Events. From Fall 2018 through Fall 2023, these events were known as Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) Events.

Current Events (2023-24)

“Teambuilding in the Classroom: Approaches to Designing Effective Group Activities”

Tuesday, October 24, 4:00pm – 5:00pm via Zoom

Please join members of the CTL’s Graduate Student Advisory Council for a virtual panel discussion on approaches to designing group activities in the classroom. In this panel, we will hear from four instructors about how they implement team-based learning approaches to explore complex content. Participants will leave this conversation with some new tools for developing team-based exercises and building rapport with students.

“Grad Students of the CTL”

Tuesday, November 14, 5:00pm – 6:00pm via Zoom

Join us at this virtual event to learn about what services the CTL has to offer you, and how you can get involved in our programming. We have invited several graduate students who have participated in our workshops and programs to share their experiences and advice for how to get the most out of your teaching experiences at WashU

Past Events

GSAC Events 2022-2023

March 25, 2023: “AI for AIs: The Possibilities and Pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom,” a panel discussion focused on exploring how professors are adapting their classrooms as artificial intelligence programs change higher education. Panel featured Brad Conaway, Instructional Assistant and Social Media and Data Analytics, University of Mississippi; Dr. Neha Singh, Lecturer in Computer Science and Engineering at WashU; and Dr. Theresa Gildner, Assistant Professor in Biological Anthropology at WashU.

February 28, 2023: “Teaching in a Field Setting: Challenges and Opportunities,” a panel discussing approaches to teaching outside the classroom, especially in an outdoor field setting. The panel included four instructors who discussed how they managed the logistics of field instruction, how they designed courses to involve real-world data collection and observation, and how they mentored students through experiential learning. Panelists include: Katie Bilings, PhD Candidate in Earth and Planetary Sciences; Dr. Elizabeth Carlen, Postdoctoral Fellow in Ecology and Evolution; Anna Wassel, PhD Candidate in Ecology and Evolution; and James Ojacastro, PhD in Ethnobotany.

November 29, 2022: “How to Incorporate Civic & Community Engagement in a Course,” a panel discussing integrating civic and community engagement into classroom activities. The panelists discussed how they craft learning objectives for students to responsibly interact with their surrounding communities. Panelists included: Dr. Gabriel Peoples, Assistant Professor of Gender Studies and Indiana University and Ford Foundation Fellow at WashU; Dr. Jami Ake, Teaching Professor in the Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities, WashU; Jake Funkhouser, PhD Candidate in Anthropology at WashU; and Zoe Clapacs, PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering at WashU.

October 25, 2022: “Claiming Authority in the Classroom while Remaining Approachable,” a panel discussion focused on how to claim authority in the classroom as a teacher while still remaining approachable. Panel focused on challenges and success stories as well as how to strike a balance between authority and approachability. Panelists included: Dr. Leah Schultz, Assistant Professor of Psychology at St. Louis Community College at Meramec; Dr. Emily Willroth, Assistant Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences, WashU; Dr. Mikael Olsson Berggren, Lecturer in Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, WashU: Dr. Michelle DeLair, Director of Curricular Innovation, College of Arts and Sciences and Lecturer in American Culture Studies, WashU.

GSAC Events 2021-2022

April 26, 2022: “Supporting Non-Native English Speakers in the U.S. University Classroom,” a panel discussion focused on exploring ways to create welcoming and inclusive spaces and foster a sense of belonging among non-native English speakers in our classes. Panel featured Dr. Julia Deems, Teaching Professor in Communications, Olin School of Business; Dr. Haley Dolosic, Special Projects Manager for University College; Fithi Embaye, PhD Student, Brown School; and Yue Dai, PhD Student in Art History.

March 29, 2022: “Incorporating Female and Gender Diverse Perspectives in the Classroom,” a panel discussion in celebration of Women’s History Month, focusing on the pressing need to recognize the marginalization of female, non-binary, gender diverse, and queer thinking in academia. Panel included: Dr. Barbara Baumgartner, Teaching Professor in WGSS; Amy Cislo, Senior Lecturer in WGSS; Mary Ann Dzuback, Associate Professor of Education and History; Dr. Jenine Harris, Professor at The Brown School; Dr. Michelle Oyen, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering; and Travis Tucker, Director of LGBTQIA+ Engagement and Associate Director at the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at WashU.

February 22, 2022: “Leveraging Teaching Skills in Your Career,” a Q&A discussion on leveraging teaching skills when heading towards alternative and non-academic career paths. Panel participants include WashU Alums: Dr. Monica McDonald (Anthropology), St. Louis Zoo; Dr. Michelle DeLair (History), Career Center at WashU; Dr. Patrick Brugh (Germanic Languages and Literatures), Deloitte; and Dr. Toshi Miyatsu (Psychological and Brain Sciences), Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition.

November 30, 2021: “Challenges and Successes of Engaging Students in Person after Exclusively Online Learning,” a panel discussion about the transition back to in-person teaching featuring Megan Daschbach, PhD, Teaching Professor of Chemistry; Lorien Carter, PhD, Associate Professor of Practice and Faculty Instructional Coach, Brown School; and Patricia Widder, PhD, Principal Lecturer and Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies, Biomedical Engineering.

GSAC Events 2020-2021

April 29, 2021: “Exploring Alternative Academic Pathways in Teaching,” a panel discussion about non-traditional careers in academia that feature teaching. Panelists include: Beth Martin, Teaching Professor in Environmental Studies; Haley Dolosic, PhD, Program Manager for English Language Programs; Elise Walck-Shannon, PhD, Lecturer in Biology; and Carolyn Dufault, Assistant Dean of Educational Technology and Innovation at WUSM.

March 30, 2021: “Rethinking Syllabus and Course Structure: Creation, Adaptation, and Inclusivity,” a panel discussion on crafting a better more inclusive and more welcoming syllabus. Panelists include Meg Gregory, PhD, Senior Assistant Director at the CTL; Setsuko Yokoyama, PhD, ACLS Postdoc in Digital Humanities; Janie Brennan, PhD, Senior Lecturer in EECE; and Aeryel Williams, PhD, Training and Educational Specialist at the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

February 23, 2021: “Addressing Historic Racism Across the Disciplines,” a panel discussion exploring the ways in which racism has prevailed across various disciplines, how this past can be addressed in the classroom, and what instructors can do to proactively diversity their content and course contexts. Panelists include Rudolph Clay, PhD, Head of Library Diversity Initiatives and Outreach; Sheretta Butler-Barnes, PhD, Associate Professor at the Brown School, Calvin Lai, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences; David Cunningham, PhD, Professor of Sociology; and Dennis Barbour, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering.

December 8, 2020: “Evaluations to Promote Learning,” a panel discussion on effective student assessment techniques. Panelists include Michael Strube, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Brain Sciences; Rob Patterson, PhD, Director of the Writing Center at WashU; Amanda Albert, A&S Instructional Specialist; and Megan Radcliff, A&S Instructional Specialist.

October 27, 2020: “Teaching During the Election,” a panel discussion focused on teaching during a contentious election cycle. Panelists include Sally Guttmacher, PhD, Professor Emerita in Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University; J. Tucker Krone, MS, Adjunct Instructor, Wustl Engineering Communication Center; Margaret Power, PhD, Professor of History at Illinois Institute of Technology; Andrew Reeves, PhD, Associate Professor of Political Science at WashU; Jay Turner, PhD, Vice Dean for Education and Professor in EECE at WashU, and Penina Acayo Laker, MFA, Assistant Professor in Visual Communications at WashU.

GSAC Events 2019-2020

February 25, 2020: “Navigating Through Careers in Teaching: Classroom, Administration, Research & Beyond,” a panel discussion that will engage with teaching-related careers beyond faculty positions. Panelists include Shaina Rowell, PhD, TIES Education Specialist and CIRCLE; Tim Bono, PhD, Assistant Dean for Arts & Sciences and Lecturer in Psychological and Brain Sciences; and Jay Sriram, PhD, Director of the Learning Center at WashU. The event will be held from 5-6pm in the DUC 300. Food will be provided; the event is open to all interested graduate students and postdocs.

November 19, 2019: “Integrating Community Engagement into Your Teaching,” a panel discussion about strategies for employing community engaged pedagogy into your teaching. Panelists include Cassie Power, Associate Director for Faculty and Academic Engagement, The Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, and Anna Jacobsen, Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology.

October 29, 2019: “Accessible Pedagogy: From Principle to Practice,” a panel discussion about accessible pedagogy in higher education that explored the challenges and opportunities that arise when adapting/creating a course that naturally contains elements for students who need accommodations. Panelists included Dr. Andrew Butler, (Education), Dr. Elise Walck-Shannon (Biology & CIRCLE), and Betha Whitlow (Curator of Visual Resources, Art History and Archeology).

GSAC Events 2018-2019

April 17, 2019: “Engagement with WashU Teaching Center,” a panel discussion about how participation with the Teaching Center has helped prepare graduate students for their future work featuring two PhD candidates, Toshi Miyatsu, Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Kelsey Prissel, Earth and Planetary Sciences, who have participated in Teaching Center programs.

March 28, 2019: “Mental Health in the Classroom,” was a panel discussion which provided information about campus mental health-related resources and suggestions for supporting students who are experiencing a mental health crisis featuring Aditi Ahlawat, Staff Psychologist, and Jordan Worthington, Assistant Director for Mental Health Outreach, both of Habif Health and Wellness Center.

December 6, 2018: “Leveraging Teaching in the Job Market,” a panel discussion featuring Michelle Repice, Assistant Director for Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Development, the Career Center, and Shawn Nordell, Career Consultant, the Career Center.

November 8, 2018: “Let’s Talk Teaching: Speed Dating for the Job Market,” a round-robin style opportunity for graduate students to practice talking about their teaching experience in an interview setting.

GSAC Events 2017-2018

April 25, 2018: “Careers that Leverage Teaching,” a panel discussion featuring Thi Nguyen, Associate Dean for Graduate Career and Professional Development and Michelle Repice, Assistant Director for Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Development

March, 28, 2018: “Educational and Community Outreach Happy Hour,” a panel discussion featuring Dr. Timothy Moore, Classics; James Buckley and Kater Murch; Physics, Allison Taylor, Kemper Art Museum; as well as representatives from the Gephart Institute for Civil and Community Engagement

February, 28, 2018: “Designing Collaborative & Interdisciplinary Courses,” a panel discussion featuring Dr. Todd Decker, Musicology; Jessica Hutchins, DBBS; and Becki Baker, University College

January 31, 2018: “Teaching & The Campus Visit,” a panel discussion featuring Dr. Shankar Mukheriji, Physics, and Dr. David Strait, Anthropology

November 29, 2017: “Leveraging Teaching on the Job Market,” round table discussion featuring Dr. Michelle Repice, the Career Center.