2025 ACHE Webinar Series

Sponsored by Lovegevity

Please join us to learn more about innovative ideas and how you can implement them at your institution. All webinars will be scheduled for Wednesdays at 1:00-1:50pm EST.

July 9

"Taking Care of You and Them (Practical tools to support student mental health)"

Description:

This interactive session will equip University faculty and staff with practical tools to support student mental health while prioritizing their well-being. Participants will learn to recognize signs of distress (e.g., withdrawal, academic decline), practice empathetic communication techniques, and explore campus and local resources to connect students with professional help. Through case studies and role-playing, staff will gain confidence in addressing sensitive conversations, from academic stress to crises. The workshop will provide strategies to prevent compassion fatigue, emphasizing self-care as a cornerstone of sustainable support. Projected outcomes include increased awareness of mental health trends, actionable response skills, and a shared commitment to fostering a stigma-free campus environment.

Presenters:

Tiffany J. Chavis, Clinical Supervisor and Consultant at The Flawsome Firm, PLLC

Moderator: Kim Chavis, North Carolina Central University

July 16

"Room at the Table: the Importance of Building Community Partnerships and How These Relationships Better Serve Students"

Description:

Over the last decade, Middle Tennessee State University's Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center (the Daniels Center) has grown into one of the most comprehensive Veterans Centers in the country. Its growth is credited to opening the aperture of whom and how they serve. Specifically, the Daniels Center serves all those on the military trajectory-currently serving Active Duty, Guard and Reserve Service Members; Veterans; Retirees; members of ROTC, JROTC, Civil Air Patrol; and spouses and children. The Daniels Center assists anyone regardless of MTSU affiliation, and it does so by building strong local, statewide, and national partnerships. This presentation will discuss the background of these partnerships and how they were built, as well as the unique services provided to Daniels Center clients.

Presenters:

Dr. Hilary Miller, MTSU Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center

Moderator: Jana Breburdova, University of Central Florida

July 23

"Integrating AI in Higher Education"

Description:

Engagement of learners in an online degree program can be a challenge. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Bachelor of Applied Science; Applied Leadership program is designed for contemporary learners. These learners bring unique needs to the program. Addressing these needs means creating a balance between engaging these learners, who often are working full-time jobs, in a way that is both meaningful and works with their busy schedules. Engagement is a focus of the program as we work to retain students and help them successfully navigate the path to a college degree. Using data-informed methods, we continue to adjust the ways we interact with learners to enhance their experiences in our program. Data collection and analysis allow us to assess strengths and weaknesses of the program and move our focus to areas that will have positive impacts on student success. One of the areas showing great promise is instructor presence supporting engagement in an online program.

Presenter:

Dr. Mike Breakey, University of Tennessee Chattanooga

Moderator: Dr. Jonell Hinsey, Middle Tennesse State University

July 30

"Reimagining Partnerships: How Collaboration with Internal and External Partners Struck Gold"

Description:

The US educational system is facing many problems due to teacher overwork, stress, and attrition leading to a significant teacher shortage. The California Teacher Association (CTA) offers teachers help to become more successful. In 2021, the CTA partnered with California State University, Chico to screen and register teachers for free professional development units, leading to teacher pay increases and career advancement opportunities. The program has experienced explosive growth, from 1,300 teacher requests for units in 2021 to more than 30,000 requests in 2023. Over the two-year period, nearly 1,000,000 professional development hours have been applied towards credit, at no cost to teachers for up to 12 units a year. Supporting this partnership requires the cooperation and collaboration of other campus departments, including the Office of the Registrar that produces transcripts for these units. In this session, PCE program coordinators will talk about strategies for building and maintaining strong partnerships under pressure and how trust and a commitment to frequent and strong communications across campus led to the selection as winner of the 2023 CTA State Gold Award, presented to PCE in June of 2024.

Presenters:

Chloe Maday, CSU Chico

Moderator: Mark Murphy, Middle Tennesse State University

August 6

"Creating a Culture of Competency-Based Education on Your Campus"

Description:

TBD

Presenters:

Dr. Kenneth Trzaska, President, Louis and Clark Community College

Moderator: Dr. Janine Guerra, Drexel University