TLC Bi-Weekly Newsletter for Wednesday, March 30, 2026

Good morning, K-Staters!

We are now in Week 11 of the Spring 2026 semester! The Teaching & Learning Center (TLC) would like to remind you of our commitment to support your efforts in teaching, mentoring, and advising. We are excited to announce the various priorities, events, and resources that are designed to advance teaching and learning at K-State. This video explains what the TLC can do for you.

TLC Programs & Events

Our Professional Development (PD) Series occurs on Wednesdays at 12 noon via Zoom. All events are free, and no registration is required. The schedule is posted on the Upcoming Events page of our website and on our social media: Facebook, YouTube
and Zoom Link.

This week’s event

Join us this Wednesday, April 1, for a featured Professional Development session led by Dr. Lisa Melander on the topic “Enhancing Student Learning through Applied Learning Experiences.”

Promo video: 6 Types of Applied Learning

Abstract: Dr. Melander will highlight how applied learning offers a powerful way to connect classroom instruction with real-world experiences and enhance student learning. As a central focus of the Next-Gen Strategic Plan, applied learning continues to shape how students engage across disciplines. This session will introduce the six applied learning categories, including global, internship, community-engaged learning, creative, research, and leadership, and provide practical examples for integrating them into courses. The presentation will also outline current applied learning course requirements, explain the course identification process, and share university-wide resources available to support both faculty and students.

Next Week

On Wednesday, April 8, the Teaching and Learning Center will host another exciting Teaching Chat as part of the TLC Professional Development Series titled “Surviving April.” As the semester winds down and energy and attention shift, April is often described as the “October of the spring semester.” This informal session offers a space for faculty and instructors to reflect on the challenges of this period. Participants will engage in open conversation about strategies for maintaining student motivation, managing classroom dynamics, and sustaining instructional effectiveness. You are encouraged to bring your questions, ideas, and experiences for a collaborative and supportive discussion.

Also, if you are interested in earning a PD Certificate or becoming a TLC Fellow for this academic year, check out the requirements on our website.

Upcoming Events

Academic Publishing Event

The Teaching & Learning Center, together with the Graduate School, will host an Academic Publishing Event titled "The Ins and Outs of Academic Publishing” on Tuesday, April 7, from 2–4 p.m. in Hale Library (Room 581; Hemisphere Room). This hybrid session will bring together experienced editors, publishers, and authors to share insights into the academic publishing process.

Presenters include:

  • Dr. Tom Hallaq (Kansas State University), co-editor
  • Jordan Walter (IGI Global Publishers)
  • Dr. Ed Carter (Brigham Young University), author
  • Dr. Rich Rice (Texas Tech University), author

The session will offer practical guidance on publishing books, contributing to edited volumes, and preparing peer-reviewed journal articles. Participants will also gain insight into how academic publishing works from both the author's and the publisher's perspectives. Faculty and graduate students interested in strengthening their scholarly writing and publication strategies are encouraged to attend.

Here is a link to the Zoom Session: 🔗 Academic Publishing Zoom

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Showcase

Our Center invites faculty, staff, and students to participate in the 5th Annual Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Showcase, highlighting research and innovative practices that advance teaching and student learning at Kansas State University.

The showcase will take place Monday, May 11, from 1:00–4:30 p.m. in Hale Library (Room 581; Hemisphere Room) and will include welcome remarks, oral presentations (also available via Zoom), and a poster session featuring teaching and learning research across disciplines. If you are interested in presenting, please complete the survey below with your presentation details by Friday, April 10. Presenters will be notified by Wednesday, April 22.

🔗 Submit your proposal: TLC SoTL Showcase Application 2026 🔗 Learn more: Here

Wakonse Fellows Program

We invite nominations for the Wakonse Fellows Program, a nationally recognized opportunity for faculty dedicated to inspiring teaching and learning in higher education. The 36th Annual Conference on Inspiring College Teaching will take place May 22–27, 2026, at Camp Miniwanca on Lake Michigan. Selected fellows may receive partial funding through the Office of the Provost. All application materials should be submitted via Microsoft Form. If you have questions, reach out to provounivawards@ksu.ed The application deadline is April 1.

🔗 Learn more: Here

One K-state Research Week

Kansas State University will host One K-State Research Week from April 17–24, 2026, celebrating discovery, creativity, and innovation that shape our world. This week-long series of events highlights research across disciplines and showcases how collaboration and innovation benefit communities, industries, and lives in Kansas and beyond.

Events throughout the week include research presentations, competitions, open houses, and campus-wide showcases featuring students, faculty, and partners.

🔗 Learn more: Here

Campus-Wide Undergraduate Research Symposium

The Campus-Wide Undergraduate Research Symposium is an in-person poster-style presentation event for the larger K-State community. The Symposium is part of One K-State Research Week.

Spring 2026 event

  • Thursday, April 23
  • Two Sessions, 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
  • Presentations will be hosted in the Student Union Grand Ballroom and Bluemont Room

Instructional Design Office Hours

Drop in to get individualized support from instructional designers, including our KSU accessibility expert, who is available every Tuesday. No appointment necessary! Join us on Zoom at https://ksu.zoom.us/my/idteam on Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Engage the Sage Videos to Support Excellent Teaching

We would like to remind you of several video resources as part of Dr. Don Saucier’s YouTube channel, Engage the Sage, that are particularly relevant for the middle of the semester:

Thank You!

We are grateful for your continued support of your students and colleagues and hope you take advantage of the resources available to you at K-State, including us at the TLC, throughout the upcoming semester. Thank you for all you do for your colleagues and our students. And thank you for advancing K-State’s teaching and learning mission with energy and optimism.

Sincerely,

The Teaching and Learning Center Team