TENTATIVE Breakout Sessions Schedule - not yet final
Check out our breakout sessions by clicking the yellow + signs below.
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Feeling Threatened vs Being Threatened: How Our Minds Interpret Risk Presenter: Brian Van Brunt, EdD, Director of Behavior and Threat Management, DPREP This training helps faculty and staff develop confidence in responding to challenging and concerning student behaviors with clarity, care, and professionalism. Participants will explore the difference between feeling threatened and being threatened, learn how stress and perception influence reactions, and practice de-escalation approaches that prioritize safety, respect, and student well-being—while honoring privacy and information-sharing boundaries. Tags: Student experience, Equity, Good for all employee groups. |
Room: TBD On campus only. This session will not be recorded. |
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AI In Career Preparation Presenter: Ann Marie Leahy, Career Services, Author of AI-Enhanced Job Search AI is a hot topic in career preparation, and students are asking questions about how to use it in resumes, cover letters, and interviews. This workshop explores how AI can support but not replace critical thinking in the job search. Faculty will see examples of AI prompts and learn how students can structure academic projects for resumes. The session offers practical insights and discussion for faculty interested in understanding AI’s role in student career preparation. Tags: Good for all employee groups |
Hyflex. Room TBD. Zoom Link TBD. This session will be recorded. Check back in the weeks following Professional Development Day for the recording!
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Title II Applies to You: New 2026 Accessibility Requirements for Your Courses, Websites, and Digital Content Presenters: Denise Henninger, Paul Trautwein By April 24, 2026, colleges must ensure their digital content meets updated ADA Title II accessibility standards. These requirements apply across the entire institution and must be implemented in advance — not only when an accommodation is requested. All digital materials must be accessible by default, including course content, websites, documents, images, multimedia, social media, and third party programs. Institutions are required to ensure digital content meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. This includes accessibility features such as document structure, meaningful image descriptions (alt text), sufficient color contrast, keyboard navigation, captioning for videos, and transcripts for audio-only materials. This workshop will translate the requirements into practical guidance for faculty and staff and outline steps you can take now to prepare. Beyond compliance, these principles reflect universal design — creating digital learning environments that are clearer, more flexible, and inclusive for everyone. Tags: SMC Updates, Equity, Good for all employee groups |
Hyflex. Room TBD. Zoom link TBD. This session will be recorded. Check back in the weeks following Professional Development Day for the recording! |
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Burnout to Breakthrough: A Wellbeing & Resilience Workshop Presenter: Susan Finley, Associate Professor Counseling Teaching, advising, committee work, and student support can be deeply rewarding and deeply exhausting. Join your colleagues for this practical, evidence-informed workshop designed to help you move beyond burnout and toward sustainable wellbeing and resilience. Tags: Wellbeing, Good for all employee groups |
Hyflex. Room TBD. Zoom link TBD. This session will be recorded. Check back in the weeks following Professional Development Day for the recording! |
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Assessing Servingness 2.0 in Practice at HSIs Presenter: Dr. Gina Garcia Tags: Equity, Good for all employee groups |
Room HSS 105. On campus only. This session will not be recorded. Dr. Gina Ann Garcia is a leading scholar of higher education and organizational change
and a professor in the Berkeley School of Education. |
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Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) 101 Workshop and Q&A Presenters: Maria Muñoz, CPL Faculty Lead & Gohar Srapyan, CPL Counselor This workshop will offer a friendly space to: Tags: Faculty |
On Zoom only. Zoom link TBD. This session will be recorded. Check back in the weeks following Professional Development Day for the recording! |
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“The First 250: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” Presenters: Richard Tahvildaran, Eric Oifer, Christina Gabler, Paul Klumpe, Rebecca Romo, Aaron Crawford, and Amber Urrutia In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of democracy in America, we reflect on large trends (the good, bad, and ugly) in democratic life from the perspective of political science, sociology, economics, and philosophy. Tags: Good for all employee groups |
On Campus only. Room TBD. This session will not be recorded.
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Pathways with Purpose: Centering Equity in Student Success Presenters: Kristin Lui-Martinez, Jessie Garcia, Llanet Martin The EPI Division and Guided Pathways Leads will provide an update on the implementation of the Student Equity Plan and reimagining for the Guided Pathways efforts. Tags: Equity, Good for all employee groups |
On Campus Only. Room TBD. This session will not be recorded.
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PLACEHOLDER: Don Daves-Rougeaux - Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, Workforce, Strategic Partnerships
and GenAI Future of Learning
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Working with Neurodivergent Students: Trauma-Informed, Inclusive Approaches to Behavior and Learning Presenter: Brian Van Brunt, EdD, Director of Behavior and Threat Management, DPREP This training addresses the intersection of mental health, trauma, and neurodivergence in higher education settings. Faculty and staff will develop a deeper understanding of how stress, sensory processing differences, and past trauma can influence behavior, communication, and self-regulation. Participants will learn inclusive, trauma-informed strategies for managing challenging behaviors, supporting student self-regulation, and creating learning environments that reduce unnecessary barriers and lower the risk of escalation—while maintaining academic expectations, professional boundaries, and institutional responsibilities. Tags: Student experience, Equity, Good for all employee groups. |
Room: TBD On campus only. This session will not be recorded. |
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AI App Security Usage Presenter: Dan Rojas Overview of AI app usage in education and administration and the importance of understanding security risks. Tags: Technology, Good for all employee groups |
On Campus Only. Room TBD. This session will not be recorded.
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AI In Career Preparation Presenter: Ann Marie Leahy, Career Services, Author of AI-Enhanced Job Search AI is a hot topic in career preparation, and students are asking questions about how to use it in resumes, cover letters, and interviews. This workshop explores how AI can support but not replace critical thinking in the job search. Faculty will see examples of AI prompts and learn how students can structure academic projects for resumes. The session offers practical insights and discussion for faculty interested in understanding AI’s role in student career preparation. Tags: Good for all employee groups |
Hyflex. Room TBD. Zoom Link TBD. This session will be recorded. Check back in the weeks following Professional Development Day for the recording!
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Have fun & de-stress with Salsa dancing! Presenter: Laura Canellias Shake off the workday and add some rhythm to your week with a beginner‑friendly Salsa dance class. It’s a fun, energizing way to unwind, connect with coworkers, and boost your mood. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and get ready to move. Tags: Wellness, Good for all employee groups |
On Campus Only. Room TBD. This session will not be recorded. |
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CSEA - Know Your Rights! Presenters: Derek Eckstein, CSEA Labor Relations Representative and Cindy Ordaz, Chapter 36 President As classified employees, we are afforded many basic rights by law or through collective bargaining. Learn about your rights on the job and what you can do to protect yourself if your rights are violated. The emphasis of CSEA’s Know Your Rights training workshop is to assist members in detecting violations of the law and their collective bargaining agreements. Tags: Classified |
On Campus Only. Room TBD. This session will not be recorded. |
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Decolonizing SMC Presenters: Shannon Herbert, English Professor and Faculty Lead for the Gender Equity Center; student leaders from Indigenous Scholars and Oaxacan’s at SMC Students from the Indigenous Scholars and Oaxacans at SMC will discuss their experiences at SMC and their clubs’ goals. Members of the Decolonizing the Academy Committee will talk about pedagogical practices that decolonize curriculum and knowledge sharing. Tags: Good for all employee groups |
On Campus Only. Room TBD. This session will not be recorded. |
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Academic Freedom and the Freedom to Teach: An AAUP Primer Presenter: Michael DeCesare, Senior Program Officer, Department of Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Governance, American Association of University Professors This session will provide a general overview of academic freedom by presenting the most significant aspects of the joint AAUP-AAC&U 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure. It will also review AAUP policy standards derived from the 1940 Statement that bear specifically on the freedom to teach. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation. Tags: Classified |
Zoom only. Zoom link TBD. This session will not be recorded. Michael DeCesare is being brought in thanks to the Academic Senate's Professional Ethics & Responsibilities Committee. |
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PLACEHOLDER: AI Coaches workshop |
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| Title and Description | Location/link |
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Recorded on November 21, 2024
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Title: Understanding Administrative Regulations and their impact in the Classroom Presenters: Beatriz Magallon, chair of the Academic Senate Student Affairs Committee and Vicenta Arrizon, EdD from the Counseling Department Description: This workshop covers how Administrative Regulations (AR's) impact your work in the classroom! This workshop addresses a wide range of AR's including grade notations, accommodations, and student disciplinary matters. There was also be discussion of policies and procedures regarding enrollment, financial aid, student petitions, and any other related faculty matters. Enhance your skills and knowledge regarding these matters to better support students.
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| Recorded on October 30, 2024 |
Title: The Equity-Minded Syllabus Presenters: Kat Trần Olvey, Briana Brickley and Steph Anderson from the Academic Senate Equity and Diversity Committee. Description: In this workshop, they explored how to transform your syllabus into a tool that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). They reviewed DEI fundamentals and the importance of equity-minded approaches, while offering practical strategies for making your syllabus more inclusive. Through hands-on activities, discussions, and a panel Q&A, participants gain a deeper understanding of how your syllabus can support student success. Rather than slides, the presenters used this website during their presentation. This website has all of the syllabus links included so that you can participate in the activities discussed in the workshop. Use the menu on the left-side of the website to follow along with their presentation. View The Equity-Minded Syllabus workshop(opens in new window) Note: The recording missed the first few minutes of the workshop where the group norms were established. The recording starts during the definition of terms. You can find the Group Norms and full information on DEI Fundamentals and Terms in the links on the left-side panel of the website linked above. The recording was paused during the breakout room syllabus discussion. |
| Recorded on September 19, 2024 |
Title: Academic Senate & You Presenters: Senate President Jamar London & Dr. Vicenta Arrizon, Academic Senate President-Elect Description: Watch this session to learn about the Academic Senate, its role and functions, what it can do for you and your professional development. Get involved! This event was recorded. View Academic Senate & You (opens in new window)
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