Academics

New webinar series offered for instructors and staff who support students

'Keep Engaging' Fall Webinar Series begins Monday, Oct. 5

Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The University is launching a webinar series intended for staff and instructors who support the ongoing empowerment, engagement and well-being of Penn State students. The "Keep Engaging" Fall Webinar Series will be delivered via Zoom, from noon to 1 p.m. every Monday beginning Oct. 5, through Monday, Nov. 16.

The “Keep Engaging” webinars will provide opportunities to learn from colleagues on time-relevant topics, will address challenges related to the pandemic and explore topics critical to the success of all Penn State students. 

The webinar series builds on the success of the Student Success and Engagement Countdown to Fall webinars delivered this summer leading up to the fall semester. The series was highly attended by instructors and staff and highlighted emerging best practices for supporting students despite the limitations and stressors of a global pandemic, including the unique challenge of engaging and supporting students who will be learning via different modes of instruction and living/learning options.

“Over 500 instructors and staff came together to attend the Countdown series and found guidance and support from one another,” said Yvonne Gaudelius, associate vice president and senior associate dean for Undergraduate Education. “We were encouraged to develop the 'Keep Engaging' series this fall, to share out more information about how to best support our students and keep instructors and staff engaged with one another about the critical work being done in support of student success.”

Each week the webinar will cover a different theme:

  • Oct. 5 — Engaging Students through Empowerment
  • Oct. 12 — Supporting Students in Building their Spring 2021 Schedules
  • Oct. 19 — Barriers & Bridges to Success for Our Financially Insecure Students
  • Oct. 26 — Cultivating the Mindful Nittany Pause in our Everyday as Penn Staters
  • Nov. 2 — Tutoring in the Time of COVID
  • Nov. 9 — Inspiring Social Responsibility Through Continued Learning and Dialogue
  • Nov. 16 — Trends and Updates from Penn State Career Services

All Penn State instructors, advisers and staff who directly engage students are encouraged to attend. The Zoom webinars, which will be held from noon to 1 p.m. each Monday beginning Oct. 5, through Monday, Nov. 16, can be accessed using this link.

Attendees do not need to register in advance. Presentations will be recorded and available for future viewing. A schedule is available at keepteaching.psu.edu/webinars. The site will also include the links to the recorded sessions. 

Last Updated October 5, 2020