2026 Webinar Series

February 25

"Empowering Educators: Leveraging AI for Course Design"

This presentation shares an innovative approach to designing an AI course using Generative AI tools, specifically ChatGPT. The course encompasses a comprehensive syllabus, assignments, lectures, and rubrics, all generated by AI. This session will explore the process, challenges, and successes of integrating AI into curriculum development. Attendees will gain insights into the practical applications of AI in education and its potential to revolutionize teaching methodologies.

Presenter: 

• Cindy York, Associate Professor, Educational Technology, Research and Assessment, Northern Illinois University

Moderator: Janine Guerra, Drexel University 

March 4

"The Integration of Non-Credit Certificate Programs in For-Credit College Courses"

As higher education adapts to evolving learner needs and workforce demands, integrating non-credit certificates into for-credit college coursework emerges as a strategic innovation. This approach enables students to stack credentials, personalize learning pathways, and align academic experiences with career objectives. Through examples from an applied leadership program, this paper explores the benefits, challenges, and implementation strategies of embedding high-quality certificate content into academic curricula. It highlights how microcredentials, nano-degrees, and digital badges serve as credible indicators of skills acquisition, supporting lifelong learning and employability. The discussion addresses institutional considerations such as aligning certificates with course outcomes, ensuring quality assurance, and verifying learner identity. Ultimately, the integration of certificates for credit strengthens the relevance of higher education while expanding access and flexibility for diverse learners.

Presenter: 

• Elizabeth Crawford, Department Head and Professor, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• David Rausch, Associate Dean & Professor, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• Christine Wolfe, Customer Success Manager, Coursera for Campus

Moderator: Janine Guerra, Drexel University

March 25

"Teaching Like a Crew Chief"

During this session, we will explore concepts from some of NASCAR's legendary crew chiefs that can be directly applied to teaching and learning. Participants will explore the crew chief teaching disposition by analyzing leadership qualities of crew leaders and identifying how strategic thinking and team-focused decision-making translate to classroom success. Attendees will be provided with tools to explore strategies for letting their love of their content drive student engagement, reimagine themselves in the teaching role as a crew chief, think about how enthusiasm can drive success, and avoid turning upside down when students occasionally get out of their lane.

Presenter: 

• Amy Johnson, EdD, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University

Moderator: Janine Guerra, Drexel University

April 8

"The Art of Tough Talks: A Leadership Playbook for Difficult Conversations"

Mastering the art of navigating difficult conversations is a vital skill for leaders at every level, yet it remains a challenge for many on how to engage in these discussions effectively. This presentation offers leaders a comprehensive guide to manage challenging interactions with confidence, poise, and a constructive approach. Tailored for both established and emerging leaders, this playbook delves into critical strategies for starting and steering conversations that are often shunned. Participants will gain insights into controlling their own emotions as well as those of others, ensuring that difficult dialogues foster positive results instead of conflict or misapprehensions.

Presenter: 

• Wendy Johnson, PhD, Principle & CEO, Managing from Afar

Moderator: Jana Breburdova, University of Central Florida

April 22

"Kentucky’s Statewide Blueprint for Adult Student Success by Scaling Credit for Prior Learning"

In response to the growing need to accelerate adult degree completion, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) launched a statewide Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) initiative to help institutions scale policies and practices that recognize learning outside the classroom. This webinar explores how Kentucky built a cross-institutional framework rooted in the ADDIE model—Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation—to align campus teams, foster collaboration, and implement sustainable CPL strategies. Attendees will gain insight into the process of establishing campus champions, completing institutional readiness assessments, coordinating statewide trainings, and building tools to measure return on investment. Through this shared journey, Kentucky institutions have increased capacity to serve adult learners, veterans, and comebackers by awarding credit for prior learning with consistency and integrity. Attendees will leave with a replicable framework, actionable tools, and lessons learned that can support CPL expansion in other states, systems, or multi-campus collaborations.

Presenters: 

• Mathew Bergman, PhD, President & Founder, Center for Academic Innovation; Partner Faculty, University of Louisville
• Dallas Kratzer, PhD, Kratzer Consulting; Visiting Scholar, University of Louisville

Moderator: Mark Murphy, Middle Tennessee State University