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Professional Development

Calendar of Events

May 11

The Rhythm of the Semester: A Case Study From Austin Community College
11-1 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
AHC is a NISOD member
The Rhythm of the Semester is a student-developed framework that maps the recurring emotional, academic, and behavioral patterns students experience across a standard 16-week college term. Developed at Austin Community College and currently undergoing formalization through institutional research, the model reveals five distinct phases—Optimistic, Relaxed, Vulnerable, Burnout, and Determined—and the six systemic factors that shape them.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the five emotional and behavioral phases outlined in The Rhythm of the Semester framework and recognize how each phase manifests in student engagement and wellbeing.
  • Analyze how systemic factors—such as workload intensity, institutional communication, and access to resources—interact to influence student burnout and resilience across the academic cycle.
  • Apply the Rhythm of the Semester model to design or adapt interventions, classroom practices, or advising strategies that proactively support students during high-risk periods of disengagement and stress.

CalSTRS presents: My Retirement Benefits
4-5:30 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Find out more in-depth information about your CalSTRS benefits, the difference between earned and purchased service credit, and ways to bridge the gap between your CalSTRS benefit and your retirement income goal. 

May 12

LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor: Protect the Integrity of Online Tests
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The session provides a detailed demonstration of both applications, including enhancements that make Respondus Monitor even more effective and easy to use.

Accessibility By Design: Disability and the Inclusive Campus
Presented by the Chronicle of Higher Education
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
How can new technologies and evolving campus culture make colleges more comfortable, constructive environments for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities? This forum explores how institutions are applying universal design principles and using AI-enabled tools to improve accessibility in online and in-person experiences 

May 13

Self-Care and Workplace Wellness
8-9 a.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
People who incorporate self-care throughout their day are more resilient and better equipped to manage stress, leading to happier and more productive teams. Learn ways to introduce self-care into your work life, communicate boundaries, and cope with demanding schedules in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist. 

Substance Use and Mental Health: The Impact of Stress, Trauma, and Life Circumstances
10-11 a.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required 
Learn why mental health and substance use challenges often occur together and how trauma, chronic stress, work environments, family habits, and life circumstances affect a person’s risk and recovery. This course emphasizes the underlying causes behind these issues and explains how relationships, the body, and daily environments all play a role. Part 1 in a 3-part series. 

Academic Integrity Under Fire: Fortifying Assessment in An AI Mediated World 
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Assessment redesign and security are top of mind for college leaders as artificial intelligence tools continue to evolve—including into autonomous agents capable of completing complex assignments.

Drawing on data, recent events and expert insights, this webcast discussion will move past questions of AI detection to address how institutions are rethinking assessment and validating learning in this new era. The goal is to help leaders not just maintain but (re)build confidence in what a college degree really means—for students, educators and employers alike.

Silence to Support: Navigating Depression and Anxiety With Compassion
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required 
Did you know that internalized shame can reduce the odds of someone seeking help for their mental health by nearly 50%? With rates of depression and anxiety on the rise, it’s time to shatter the silence and break the stigma to better support the mental health needs of our families and communities. 

In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, join Calm ambassador Raymond Braun, NAMI ambassador Josh Bassett, and Kaiser Permanente psychiatrist Dr. Asha Patton-Smith for a powerful conversation that gets back to basics about mental health.  In this one-hour webinar, you’ll learn how to recognize mental health symptoms in yourself and your loved ones, and to navigate conversations about professional help with sensitivity.  The panel will also share their own personal mental health journeys, their strategies for prioritizing their well-being, and resources for finding support in challenging times.

CalSTRS Presents: My Retirement System
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
This online workshop provides an overview of the CalSTRS hybrid retirement system, your survivor and disability benefits, how your benefit will be calculated, ways you can increase your benefit and other CalSTRS resources available to you. Learn more about this first step in your life journey with CalSTRS. 

AHC Faculty Learning Lab
4-5 p.m.
Location: F-243 (the conference room on the 2nd floor of the Fine Arts Building)
In this month's lab session we will continue our informal discussion centering on student intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation from professors, how such traits are developed, and pondering if we can inspire students to find their why and become self-motivated learners. We had such a rich conversation last month and we hope you will attend and contribute your thoughts!

We offer wholesome refreshments and lively conversations during our Faculty Learning Labs so we hope you will join us to support one another in our learning and teaching journeys! Attendees are encouraged to share their knowledge, tips, concerns, and struggles. All ideas are welcome!

May 14

Workplace Boundaries: Strategies and Tools 
8-9 a.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
The ability to calmly and respectfully advocate for your needs is an essential skill for modern workforces. Learn practical tools and simple scripts for saying no, asking for help, and managing unrealistic demands. Discuss ways to set clear limits with supervisors, coworkers, and customers, and how to respond when boundaries aren’t respected. Plus, we’ll share strategies to reduce digital overload and stay composed during difficult conversations. Part 2 in a 2-part series. 

Affordable Training for Health Fields 
Presented by the Chronicle of Higher Education
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
The health-care job market is booming, and many colleges are looking to train more health-care professionals to meet the demand. Hear how other institutions are creating effective and affordable health-training programs in our upcoming virtual forum.  

Innovations in Online Proctoring: New Features For Respondus Monitor
11-11:30 a.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Respondus is at the forefront of online proctoring innovation, with new features being released each quarter. Don't miss this webinar where you'll see the latest enhancements for LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor, including using MS Word and Excel during a secure exam, recording only the screen during an assessment, supporting a second camera, flagging handheld devices, and much more. You will also learn how LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor support the many ways online testing occurs across campus, including exams delivered in classrooms, testing centers, remote environments, and hybrid/hyflex courses. 

Learning Lab: Hypothesis for Returning Faculty
11:30-12:30 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
This session is designed for faculty already familiar with Hypothesis. We’ll cover how to copy entire courses or individual assignments into new course shells, export and import facilitator annotations, and review other key technical details for using Hypothesis across terms. 

CCC: Practical AI Tools for Inclusive Education Series: Designing Accessible Course Materials for Every Learner 
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required

CCC: Accessible Multimedia: Reaching Every Student Through Video and Audio 
2:30-4 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
This is part of the Practical A.I. Tools for Inclusive Education series hosted by Los Angeles Regional Consortium (LARC).

Audience: Faculty, instructional designers, distance education coordinators (administrators welcome)

This session focuses on the full lifecycle of course materials—from creation to remediation—introducing practical approaches aligned with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

May 15

Mathematics and OER Office Hours
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
The OERI is pleased to offer a series of math and OER office hours throughout the term. These office hours will serve as a conversational session where attendees bring in their math OER needs, requests, and questions. Attendees can also use this space to receive guidance and ask questions pertaining to MyOpenMath.

CCC/ Beyond The Classroom Walls: Technology, Workplace Learning, and Dual Enrollment
11-1 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Highlights applied learning and workforce alignment as key drivers of student success and equity. The faculty will explore strategies to embed Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) opportunities directly into curriculum and assignments while leveraging Canvas templates and other digital platforms to manage and assess student progress. The webinar addresses dual enrollment pedagogy and faculty collaboration with K–12 partners, emphasizing alignment across instructional levels. Participants will also examine AI applications across industry sectors including Industry 4.0, automation, and data ethics to prepare students for the evolving world of work. 

Program Review Help With Patrick McGuire
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Meeting ID: 822 1354 3932
These sessions are an opportunity to:

If you prefer, you may also email Patrick at pmcguire@hancockcollege.edu to schedule a face-to-face meeting or arrange an alternative time.

Recordings