Under the guidance of Dr. Chris van der Kaay, Lamar Institute of Technology has redesigned its assessment process. While assessment and planning remain closely interrelated, they are now distinct processes. These sessions provided an overview of the revised assessment framework, with a focused discussion on PLO/SLO mapping, assessment, and analysis.

The Academic Quality Committee (AQC) is a faculty-led body responsible for ensuring academic excellence through program reviews and learning outcomes assessments. The committee evaluates whether institutional programs effectively achieve student learning outcomes, uphold academic integrity, serve community needs, and utilize institutional resources efficiently. A designated subcommittee conducts mid-year and end-of-year reviews of PLO and SLO assessments. Dr. Chris van der Kaay lead this session, outlining the review process and subcommittee responsibilities.

The campus held a college-wide professional development day, structured conference-style, with 25 unique sessions led by LIT personnel and external guests. Attendees learned about topics including stress management, getting grants for their programs, accreditation, retention, working with first-generation students and more.

As LIT prepares to embark on a new academic and fiscal year, it's crucial for our employees to understand the significant impact we all have on the retention and success of both students and employees. On August 19th, Chris Czarnik, award-winning innovative keynote speaker and author, helped faculty and staff at LIT learn how to focus on the importance of building relationships to engage and retain students and employees.

On May 29th, the Student Services department attended a day long training on Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education presented by Tracy Baker with Spindletop Center. During this training, they learned how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in order to better serve our students. They also learned how to apply the ALGEE action plan.

This training will be held again on July 16th. If you are interested in attending, contact the Teaching and Learning Center.

Selected LIT Faculty and Staff attended the 5G Powers Skills Training hosted by Dr. Carrie Root with Alpha UMi Inc.

Professional Development Day 2024 - Agenda

Our Faculty joined Dr. Yumi Shin for LIT's Faculty Library Workshop to express their thoughts, concerns, and insights, which are highly valuable to our dedicated team of librarians.

LIT hosted another incredible PDD during Spring 2023, during which our keynote speaker was the eloquent but relatable, Homero Bayarena with FranklinCovey. Mr. Bayarena provided an overview of FranklinCovey's timeless The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He then drilled-down into Habits #1, #2 and #7 during our afternoon sessions.

There were other afternoon sessions to choose from, including special guest presenters: Jacob Spradlin from Sam Houston State University, Wanna Thompson with Interface, and Angela Bryant from VOYA. See HERE for the complete listing of breakout sessions.

TLC heard our faculty and staff and brought back the Celebration to Convocation! We kicked-off the day with dynamic (and funny) keynote speaker, Julie Burch, who asked, "What do handcuffs, tiaras and Mardi Gras masks have to do with customer service?" during her presentation, Exceptional Service.

The Convocation Celebration did not stop there as our employees were treated to chair massages and Painting With(out) a Twist sessions, in addition to our other, fabulous breakout session presenters, found HERE.

Fall 2022's PDD was jam-packed with information, so LIT's faculty and staff had a very busy day.

Our keynote speaker was Dr. Marlo Goldstein Hode, who spoke on The Who, What, Why of DEI.Dr. Goldstein Hode then spent the remainder of the day with only faculty as she did a deep dive into Implicit Bias and Its Impact on Student Success, including workshops onThe Ref Model of Inclusive Teaching Practices.

LIT's staff participated in various breakout sessions, found HERE.

LIT said a heartfelt goodbye to Dr. Lonnie Howard and welcomed its newest president, Dr. Sidney Valentine.

The day was filled with exciting presentations, including keynote speaker, Elizabeth Mosser-Knight from Harford Community College, who presented Creating an Atmosphere of Belonging: It Takes All of Us.

Our faculty and staff finished out the day with on-campus breakout sessions, shown HERE.