51ÁÔÆæ

Back to the Bay 2026

August 13, 2026 | 9:00am-4:00pm

Morning Plenary Session 9:00-11:50

Let's Talk and Engage: Dialogue, Empathy, and Critical Insight in the Classroom and Work Setting

 Presenter/Facilitator: Kathleen Wong Lau Room: VBT 124

Cognitive empathy or deep perspective-taking facilitates learning and critical thought in ways that encourage belonging, complex thinking, and innovative problem solving. Through the basics of engaged dialogue, faculty, staff, and administrators will learn to support can support perspective-taking and processing. This session will feature interactive learning and shared self-analysis in exercises where participants will practice the fundamentals of supportive communication, identity development, intergroup active listening, and facilitation of dialogic engagement. Colleagues will engage with each other and in small groups in exercises that focus on everyday contexts such as teaching and learning in the classroom, direct service and support for students, and team and committee work with colleagues.  

 

Lunch Break: 12:00-12:50pm VBT Gallery Lawn

 

Session 1: 1:00-1:50

 Research Roundup: Artificial Intelligence and Human Development

This session is designed to cut through the hype, fearmongering, and misunderstandings regarding genAI in education. We'll review the latest research findings on "artificial intelligence" and human learning, learn how educators are responding, and identify practical implications for our classes. Presenter: Earl Aguilera Room: VBT 137

 

Tacit Signals: Holistic and Pro-active Support of Transfer Student 

This session will provide a theoretical, practical, and data- and mission-informed framework for transfer student success as well as space for discussion about what we already do and new ones we can start doing to support new transfer students. Presenter: Presenter: Danika LeDuc Room VBT 216

 

Pathway to "Approved": Optimizing IRB Submissions for Efficient Review

Learn how to craft IRB protocols that are positioned for timely approval. Covers submission basics, review pathways, common reasons for delays, and key IRB website resources to support investigators. Presenters: Presenters: Michelle Gravier, Arnab Mukherjea Room: VBT 217

 

Accessibility in Your Canvas Course

Join us to learn about how to make small changes in Canvas that have a big impact on student access and success. Learn how to improve the usability of your course materials using Microsoft 365 and built in Canvas tools to quickly identify and fix issues. This session will focus on simple strategies that can be applied right away. Presenter: Zach Oshri Room VBT 219

 

Sustainability Overlay Courses

A panel of faculty will describe how they integrate the sustainability Overlay into their courses. Presenters: Sharon Radcliff, Matthew Taylor Room: VBT 134

 

Science of Learning: Applying Research from Cognitive Psychology to the Classroom

 Attendees will learn about cognitive principles of learning, including research findings and applications. For example, I'll discuss how to use tests as tools for learning, how to apply the spacing effect, and what learners get wrong about how they learn. Presenter: Jeri Little Room: VBT 222

 

Emergency Preparedness

Faculty Emergency Procedures, CSUEB SAFE app and evacuation chair usage. Presenters: Becky Periera, Glenn Tafolla Room: VBT 135

 

Session 2: 2:00-2:50

 CFA Bargaining and Campus Updates

Come join your CFA-EB chapter reps to learn about updates from the bargaining table with the Chancellor's Office, where we are at in the process, and how we can get strike ready. We will also discuss other campus issues at East Bay including the fight against austerity and the effort to save our Spanish BA. Presenters: Presenters: James Murray, Amara Miller, Stephanie Seitz Room: VBT 137

 

Grading and Feedback Strategies in Canvas

Grading and feedback can quickly become overwhelming. This session focuses on efficient, high-impact feedback strategies that improve student performance while reducing instructor workload. Learn how to streamline your grading process, reuse feedback, and leverage tools in Canvas to work smarter—not harder. Presenters: Shara Cheng, Cheryl Saelee Room: VBT 216

 

Teaching Students to Make their Work Accessible Teaches them All People Matter:

Participants will explore how teaching students to make their work accessible affirms that all people matter. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for teaching students to create accessible work and for connecting accessibility to learning outcomes. Presenters: Dale Ireland Facilitator: Christina Chin-Newman Room: VBT 219

 

Nurturing the Human Voice in the Age of AI: Engaged Writing Pedagogy

With the rise of AI, many instructors strive to help students develop their voices and critical thinking when writing. This workshop offers hands-on activities that help students think critically and develop confidence as writers making decisions in the AI era. Presenters: Sarah Nielsen, Michelle St. George, Katie Bramlett, Sara Schupack, Sharon Radcliff Room: VBT 221

 

Accessibility Services: Ask Us Anything

 Always wondered how students are approved for accommodations, or whether accommodations are requirements or recommendations? Do you have suggestions for ways we can improve? Want to put faces to those sending you emails about needing your exams? Then join us for this discussion. Presenters: Rochelle Thompson, Pamela Baird Room: VBT 134

 

No More Black Boxes! Boosting Engagement and Connection in Online Courses  

Faculty will learn how to improve engagement and connection in online courses using interactive video introductions created with GoReact in Canvas and will leave with a concrete starting point for implementing this approach in their own courses. Presenter: Lynn Bowes-Sperry Room VBT 222

 

What's New with Turnitin?

During this session we will cover updates to the Turnitin Similarity Report, the AI Indicator, as well as how to work with Clarity, Turnitin's next generation assignment type designed to give you additional insights into the student writing process.  We will also spend a short time discussing research into how LLMs and generative AI tools may have already impacted your incoming CSU East Bay freshmen, to help you better prepare for Fall 2026. Presenter: Leann McArthur Room VBT 217

 

Session 3: 3:00-3:50 

AI Literacy at 51ÁÔÆæ - A Study

In the 2026 Spring Semester, the presenters participated in a nationwide study of AI literacy. We interviewed 11 faculty members and 11 students at East Bay about their understanding of AI Literacy. We will summarize our findings in this presentation. Presenters: John Wenzler, Stephanie Alexander, Sharon Radcliff Room: VBT 216

 

The Psychology and Human-Element of AI Driven Learning: Past Work and Future Directions

Attendees will receive updates on recent initiatives conducted by Dr. Jacob Francisco Miranda and his M.I.S.T. Lab Manager, Matthew Baker. This includes: i) insights from the Spring 2026 Faculty Working Group on AI x Pedagogy he chaired; ii) results from collaborating with Dr. Bridget Ford and the History Department on the impact on students' attitudes for AI infused assignments; iii) and future work in collaboration with the Civil Rights Office on AI and Relationships. Presenters: Jacob Miranda and Matthew Austin Baker Room VBT 137

 

Support and Report: Civil Rights/Title IX Essentials

Attendees will identify what information triggers your obligation to report, how to manage expectations about confidentiality, student agency, and choice, as well as gaining an understanding of supportive measure requests under Title IX and DHR. Presenters: JoLani Hironaka, Terri LaBeaux Room: VBT134

 

Data-Informed Pathways: Building a Shared Lower-Division Experience for Health Majors

 Explore how CSU data dashboards reveal opportunities to improve degree pathways! An interdisciplinary College of Health team developed a shared lower-division path, giving students an opportunity to explore COH majors while building community and improving student retention (we hope!). Presenters: Monika Eckfield, Paul Carpenter, Eve Higby Room: VBT 219

 

Institutionalizing Support for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Student Achievement

CSU East Bay is among the inaugural grantees of the CSU Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program (ASAP). In this session, participants will be introduced to the (1) current state of AANHPI identity and diversity at CSU East Bay; (2) the contemporary campus and political issues impacting AANHPI students at East Bay; and (3) learn about various student, staff, and faculty resources to support AANHPI student achievement, including professional development opportunities available throughout the academic year. Presenters: Jude Paul Dizon, Janelle Gayac, Jocyl Sacramento, Fanny Yeung, Danvy, Le Room: VBT 221

 

Teaching with AI

In this workshop, we’ll explore practical ways AI can support your teaching while addressing the challenges it introduces. We’ll focus on using AI to enhance teaching and learning, navigating ethical considerations, and designing AI-resilient assignments that encourage authentic student engagement. Participants will leave with concrete strategies, examples, and language they can use to guide student use of AI in their courses. Presenters: Cheryl Saelee, Shara Cheng, Serena Kohgadai Room: VBT 222

 

Student Succes and Engagement through the First-Year Experience Initiative

Learn how faculty can intentionally create opportunities for first-year students to build community, develop a sense of belonging, and engage in meaningful campus experiences throughout their first year at 51ÁÔÆæ. Presenter: Jose Padilla, Director of Student Equity and Success Programs. Room: VBT 220