Generative AI in Teaching I: Basic Critical Literacy and Foundations

Part I of Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series

Monday, April 27, 2026 · 12 - 1 PM ·Virtual · REGISTER HERE

This session introduces the basics of generative AI and its implications for teaching and learning. It focuses on AI literacy by examining what these tools are, what they can and cannot do, basic prompting, ethical & responsible use, and how they may impact classroom practice. Faculty will see short demos of ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity. 

Part I of an Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series. The FDC is co-sponsoring a series of three workshops facilitated by John Schumacher, Professor of Sociology, Anthropology and Public Health and a USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow for 2025-26. Whether you have already begun exploring AI for your teaching and for student learning, are an AI-skeptic, or are somewhere in between, joining Dr. Schumacher and your UMBC colleagues for these hands-on workshops will help you to deepen your understanding of how AI works, some of the ethical concerns of AI-usage, and when and how to use which Gen AI tools. This workshop is a repeat of one that was initially offered twice in Fall 2025.

Generative AI in Teaching II: Applied Skills and Use Cases

Part II of Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series

Monday, May 4, 2026 · 12 - 1 PM · Virtual · REGISTER HERE

Building on Gen AI & Teaching I, this interactive session highlights applied skills and practical use cases. Faculty will practice effective prompting, explore discipline-specific scenarios, and consider assignment design strategies. Examples will touch on advanced features (custom GPTs/GEMs, Canvas Mode, Deep Research Mode, agent mode) related to teaching.

Part II of an Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series. The FDC is co-sponsoring a series of three workshops facilitated by John Schumacher, Professor of Sociology, Anthropology and Public Health and a USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow for 2025-26. Whether you have already begun exploring AI for your teaching and for student learning, are an AI-skeptic, or are somewhere in between, joining Dr. Schumacher and your UMBC colleagues for these hands-on workshops will help you to deepen your understanding of how AI works, some of the ethical concerns of AI-usage, and when and how to use which Gen AI tools. This workshop is a repeat of one that was initially offered twice in Fall 2025.

Using Generative AI to Support Your Course Design: A Faculty Workshop

Use AI iteratively to align course objectives & activities.

Monday, June 1, 2026 · 9 - 10:30 AM · Virtual · REGISTER HERE

This session practically demonstrates how generative AI can support course design when embedded within a backwards‑design workflow. Rather than isolated prompting, faculty will learn to use AI iteratively to align objectives, assessments, and course activities. Participants will gain repeatable, model‑agnostic workflows for using Gen AI to augment design while preserving faculty voice and pedagogical intent. 

The FDC is co-sponsoring this workshop, facilitated by John Schumacher, Professor of Sociology, Anthropology and Public Health and a USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow for 2025-26. This workshop is a condensed version of The AI-Assisted Educator: A Course Design Sprint that was initially offered in January 2026.

From the Faculty Development Center:

Dear Colleagues,

No matter how long you’ve taught, there is always something you can learn from your colleagues. And if you generally prepare and teach your classes in isolation, you may wish you had more opportunities to have the kinds of conversations that would enrich your teaching practice, help you improve student engagement, and deepen your sense of belonging to a community of scholars. Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) at UMBC fill this niche: An FLC is a cross-disciplinary group of 6-12 faculty who meet regularly throughout an academic year in a casual atmosphere - in person or virtually - to investigate a teaching-related topic of mutual interest. 
The Faculty Development Center is currently seeking proposals for new FLC topics. Funding may be available to support new FLCs in 2026-27. Any UMBC faculty or staff member with an interest in participating as a co-learner--not an expert--in investigating a particular need, issue, or opportunity related to teaching and learning may propose a topic for a year-long FLC. In order to entice other UMBC faculty/staff to join the FLC, topic proposals should describe in 1-2 paragraphs the importance of the topic and should suggest a few sub-topics the FLC might take up. Proposing a topic does not obligate you to facilitate the FLC. Approved topics will be announced as soon as possible. 
The deadline for topic proposals is Friday, April 24th, 2026. Please submit your proposal using this Google form.

Some current and recent FLCs have devoted their attention to topics such as:

• Fostering Resilience: Pedagogies and Strategies to Address Student Stress and Mental Health 
• Designing Humanizing Assignments in the Age of AI 
• Exploring the Design and Delivery of High Impact Experiences (HIEs) 
• Exploring Practical Metacognitive Approaches to Help Students Succeed 
• Developing Students’ AI Literacy Within and Across Disciplines
• Using AI to Enhance and Expedite Teaching
• Who Are Our Students? Exploring Student Identities and Why They Matter
• Serious Fun: Exploring the Role of Play and Humor in the Classroom
• Teaching in the Era of AI: A Multidisciplinary Conversation
• Thinking Critically about Critical Thinking
• Contemplative Pedagogies
• Flexible, Alternative, or “Un”grading Strategies 
• Teaching Creativity Across Disciplines
• Fostering pedagogies that engage and support transfer students
• Writing questions to foster deep learning and engagement

For further information about Faculty Learning Communities at UMBC, please consult the FLC page on the Faculty Development Center's website. If you would like to discuss your idea in more detail, please contact us at fdc@umbc.edu.  

Best,

Kerrie

Start by Believing: Supporting Disclosures of Sexual Violence

This workshop is designed for faculty and staff who may be the first person a survivor confides in.

Join us to:

• Learn about the Start by Believing campaign

• Build confidence in responding to disclosures of sexual assault, harassment, or domestic violence

• Strengthen our survivor-centered, trauma-informed campus community

Date: April 8, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Location: Virtual via Webex

Let’s work together to create a culture of support, and safety at UMBC

Register at https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter/events/152530 

Please circulate the call for applications for faculty senior fellows for AY 2026-2027. 

The USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation is pleased to announce a Call for Applications for Faculty Senior Fellows for the 2026-2027 academic year. These leadership roles will advance the Kirwan Center's mission to support innovation in teaching, learning, and scholarship across the University System of Maryland. Each Senior Fellow will receive a $3,500 stipend for their work across AY 2026-27.

The three Senior Fellow positions are:

• Senior Fellow in Generative AI Pedagogy

• Senior Fellow for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

• Senior Fellow for Assessment & Evaluation

USM faculty of any rank whose primary role on their campus is faculty are eligible to apply.Applicants may apply for multiple positions but can only be selected for one Senior Fellow role. Each position requires approximately 1-2 hours of work per week throughout the academic year term. More details can be found in the Call for Applications for Faculty Senior Fellows. Applications are due Monday, April 13, and can be emailed to jpotter@usmd.edu.

Were you a participant in a TRIO program (Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services, McNair Scholars, Veterans Upward Bound, or Educational Opportunity Centers)?
If so, and you now work or study at UMBC, we want to hear from you!

February 28, 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of National TRIO Day, and as part of our celebration of these transformational programs, we hope to build a network of TRIO alumni on the UMBC campus.

UMBC's Office of Academic Opportunity Programs (AOP) is gathering the names of UMBC faculty, staff, and graduate students who are TRIO alumni from across the country. Whether your journey began in high school or college, your story is proof that TRIO Works — and we want to celebrate it.

Complete the short form here: TRIO Alumni at UMBC Google Form
(Please use your UMBC email address when submitting.)

Your responses will help us:

• Highlight the legacy and impact of TRIO programs across UMBC

• Build community among TRIO alumni on campus

• Inspire current TRIO students by showing them what's possible

Let's show just how far the TRIO network reaches at UMBC!

View the post on MyUMBC