General Assembly 2025

Back to top

Please note: Afternoon Breakout Sessions have been delayed by thirty (30) minutes, and will now begin at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions

Below are the afternoon breakout sessions available in-person and virtually. In-person registration is closed, but virtual registration is still available. Please refer to your registration to determine which sessions you have registered for. Google Calendar invites will be sent out the day before the event to help you find the sessions you have registered for.

Additional information

Please note that Virtual Sessions will not be recorded or made available after the event. For more information regarding Breakout Sessions, attendance, and other information regarding General Assembly, please review the FAQs.

Session Resources

ACC staff may access presentations and documents shared during the afternoon Breakout Sessions, via the option below:

View Breakout Session resources (Google Drive)

Jump to...

In-person (1:00 p.m.)
Virtual (1:00 p.m.)
In-person (2:00 p.m.)
Virtual (2:00 p.m.)

Sessions at 1:00 p.m.

In-person Sessions​

ACCessibility in Advising: Access Is Something We Design

Presented by Monica Segura and Katie Payne

Reframe accessibility in advising as a relational, ethical practice grounded in Disability Studies and student voice, encouraging participants to use disability models and reflective tools to design equitable access that fosters trust, belonging, and reduces barriers.

Assignments and Assessments in the Age of AI

Presented by Toyya Cisneros and Courtney Mlinar

Explore innovative course design and assessment strategies that promote student engagement and integrity while navigating the challenges of AI in education.

Back to the Basic for our students!

Presented by Rosarita Voss

Discover simple, joyful, and research-based strategies to help students manage multitasking, overcome academic challenges, and build emotional resilience.

Distributed Leadership in Instruction: The Power of Multiple Voices

Presented by Dr. Gaye Lynn Scott, Dr. Erasmus Addae, Dr. Nina Almasy, David Borden, Dr. Beth Knight, Dr. Susan Warner-Sanchez, Dr. Brandon Whatley, and Mison Yun

Explore how distributed leadership empowers faculty, strengthens collaboration across departments, and drives student success through shared responsibility, role clarity, and inclusive engagement.

Empowering Teaching with AI in Blackboard Ultra

Presented by Katie McClendon, Judith Job, and Marisa Mendoza

Explore how AI tools in Blackboard Ultra can support inclusive, ethical, and engaging course design, empowering you to teach with intention, innovation, and love.

Fake News, Fact Checking, and Critical Thinking: Helping Students (and Ourselves) Evaluate Information

Presented by Jeremy Donald

Explore practical strategies and hands-on tools to help students—and ourselves—evaluate sources, spot fake news, and think critically in today’s information-saturated world.

HB8 Powered by the North Star: How Our Finances and Goals are Tied to Loving Our Students to Success

Presented by Jenna Cullinane Hege, Troy DeFrates, Emily Hardegree, and Mason Turpin

Gain a clear understanding of how ACC’s North Star completion rate and HB8 funding work together to support student success and why aligning finances with our mission is a powerful tool for equity and impact.

I'll Do Anything for Love...

Presented by Ara Williams

Learn practical strategies to set healthy professional boundaries, prevent burnout, and maintain a joyful, compassionate approach to student engagement while upholding ACC’s values.

Oh Bats! It's InfoSec

Presented by Noel Ortiz, Rolando Ramos, and Emilie Kunze

Stay ahead of evolving cybersecurity threats with practical tips to protect yourself and insights into how ACC manages and mitigates IT risks.

Love in Action: Serving Our Students with Purpose and Compassion

Presented by Kathy Statos

Discover actionable, compassionate strategies to create inclusive, supportive campus environments that foster student success through intentional care and collaborative warm handoffs.

Reciprocity: How Service-Learning Supports ACC Students' Career Readiness

Presented by Amber Sarker and Christopher Rzigalinski

Explore how integrating Service-Learning and NACE career readiness competencies into instruction and student support can help bridge the experience gap and better prepare ACC students for future careers.

Teaching with Compassion, Powered by Universal Design for Learning

Presented by Alex Watkins

Learn how to apply Universal Design for Learning’s core principles to create flexible, compassionate teaching practices that support diverse student needs and promote success for all learners.

The Evolution of Change: Leading Through Shifting Landscapes

Presented by Laurie Dillon, Nancy Trigg-Mack, Lori Lucas, and Jenna Laine

Gain practical strategies and tools to lead with confidence, adaptability, and vision through the ever-evolving landscape of organizational change.

The Role of Spiritual Wellness in Holistic Health

Presented by Melissa Biegert

Explore the science, cultural practices, and healthcare applications of spiritual wellness and leave with practical tools to support your own holistic health and well-being.

What we learned from our participation on a Theory of Change design team

Presented by Khayree Williams, Pamela Carlile, Dana Gutierrez, Renee Kuhles, and Elizabeth Warren

Gain insights and practical strategies for successfully leading or participating in cross-departmental design teams through lessons learned from ACC’s Theory of Change project.

Virtual Sessions

Accessibility: Designing Course & Website Documents to Promote Success for All

Presented by Sandy Kendell and Michelle Escudier

Explore hands-on strategies and tools for creating accessible course and website content that aligns with ACC’s values and promotes success for all learners.

AI-Powered, People-Centered: Gemini and NotebookLM at ACC

Presented by Stephanie Bogdanich

Discover how Gemini and NotebookLM can help you work smarter, stay organized, and create with confidence—while keeping people at the heart of AI innovation.

Building Stronger Courses with the New Student Course Evaluations Teaching Dimensions

Presented by Dr. Marcus McGuff, Chelsea Biggerstaff, Dr. Theresa Glenn, and Aimee Finney

Learn how to use ACC’s new Student Course Evaluation dimensions to reflect on your teaching practices, strengthen course design, and enhance student engagement and success.

Computer Ninja 2.0 – Work Smarter, Not Harder

Presented by Neteka Haywood

Level up your tech skills and slash wasted time with powerful keyboard shortcuts and smart tools that turn you into a true Computer Ninja.

From Compliance to Compassion: Tools and Strategies for Inclusion

Presented by Sean Loraas, Megan Kareithi, and Trent Griggs

Move beyond basic compliance and discover practical tools and compassionate strategies for creating accessible, inclusive course materials that support all learners.

Real-Time Feedback: Practical Strategies for Mid-Semester Course Check-Ins

Presented by Shih-Ting Lee

Discover practical, easy-to-implement strategies for collecting and responding to mid-semester student feedback to enhance engagement, improve learning, and foster a more responsive classroom environment.

Supercharge Your Chrome: Customizing Your Browser for Productivity & Sanity

Presented by Lauren Montagnino

Tame your tabs and boost your brainpower—discover fun, simple ways to customize Chrome so it works for you (and your sanity).

Tobacco Cessation Resources at ACC: Creating Support for Freedom from Tobacco and Other Substance Use Disorders

Presented by B Prema Strecker and Courtney Fowler

Learn how to support a healthier ACC community through compassionate conversations, practical cessation tools, and campus-wide initiatives that promote freedom from tobacco and other substance use disorders.

Sessions at 2:00 p.m.

In-person Sessions​

Curiosity: A Practice of Love and Inclusion

Presented by Christine Hall

This session explores curiosity as a skill essential to self-love and inclusion, guiding participants to define curiosity, reflect on its appropriate use, self-assess their curiosity levels, and create a plan to intentionally practice curiosity in daily life.

"Double" Vision: How Dual Credit Brings ACC's Vision of Success to High School Students

Presented by Lindsay Lawley-Rerecich, Devon Miller, and Jason Sanchez

Explore how ACC’s dual credit programs unite multiple departments to support high school students’ access, success, and seamless transition to higher education aligned with ACC’s mission and vision.

Everyone Has a Role in Data: Building a Culture of Data Engagement for Student Success

Presented by Cassidy Reid, Susan Burkhauser, and Kelli Blount

Discover your data persona and learn how every role at ACC can meaningfully engage with data to support course success and foster a collaborative, empowering data culture.

Experiential Learning at ACC- Internships, Apprenticeships, and Service Learning

Presented by Sam Greer, Charla Dubes, Linda Cox, and Andrea DeLeon

Discover how ACC’s internships, apprenticeships, and service learning opportunities connect classroom learning to real-world experience.

Filling your Basic Needs Backpack: How ACC's Basic Needs System is Continuing to Adapt to Serve Students

Presented by Cara Crowley, Christie Curtis, Amber Sarker, Angelica Cancino de Sandoval, and Ruth Reinhart

Discover how ACC’s evolving Basic Needs system supports student success and create your own resource ‘backpack’ to better connect students with essential services through your teaching or campus role.

Finding and Loving Your Why

Presented by Jessica Oest and Christopher Rzigalinski

Connect with your personal and collective purpose through Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle framework, discovering the passion behind your “why” and transforming it into meaningful, everyday action.

For the Students and Ourselves: Navigating Role Transitions with Courage & Clarity

Presented by Melissa Victor Totah

Support your well-being and professional growth through organizational change by learning strategies for resilience, self-advocacy, and purpose-driven adaptation so you can show up strong for yourself and your students.

Guiding by the North Star: A Year in Academic Guidance

Presented by LaTonya Henry and Janelle Townsel

Join a collaborative journey to celebrate wins, learn from challenges, and refine our guidance strategies—helping every student navigate toward their North Star of success.

Hostage Negotiation Skills for Everyday Life

Presented by Melissa Biegert

Learn proven communication techniques from hostage negotiation to strengthen your everyday interactions, resolve conflicts, and build trust with students and colleagues.

It Starts with You! How Self-Knowledge Sparks Belonging and Purpose

Presented by Vijay Jacob and Inelia Caimanque

Discover how self-awareness and strengths-based tools like CliftonStrengths can deepen your sense of belonging, purpose, and connection within the ACC community.

Loving our First-Generation College Students to Success

Presented by Jason Brown, Nereida Celis, Trissi Johnson, Oddett Garza-Weatherspoon, Chelsa King, and Alejandra Polcik

Explore barriers, resources, and actionable strategies to help first-generation students thrive—fostering belonging, persistence, and success at ACC.

Machine Talk: Exploring GAISC (A Generative AI Self-Conversations Technique for Faculty and Staff)

Presented by Dr. Timothy C. Self

Discover how the GAISC technique uses Generative AI-powered self-conversations to spark insight, creativity, and problem-solving across faculty and staff roles at ACC.

Revamping Pedagogy to Privilege Higher-Order Thinking Skills

Presented by Anna Moreno and Laura Jacob

Reimagine your assignments and assessments to prioritize higher-order thinking skills using Bloom’s Taxonomy, collaborative brainstorming, and AI-supported innovation.

Streamlining your work with CAPS: A Strategic, Ethical, and Innovative Way to Integrate AI across the ACC Community

Presented by Alex Watkins and Stephanie Long

Explore strategic, ethical, and innovative approaches to integrating AI using ACC’s CAPS framework to shape responsible, impactful college-wide adoption.

How Employee Associations Work and Impact ACC

Presented by Marc Jimenez and Alberto Quiñonez

Discover the purpose and impact of employee organizations, and leave inspired to take pride in your role and contribute meaningfully to ACC’s mission through alignment, engagement, and excellence.

(Formerly titled “Why APTE Matters and Why You Should Care”)

Virtual Sessions

ACC Fellowships: Blending Technology and Pedagogy

Presented by Richard Palmer

Explore how ACC’s course redesign fellowships empower faculty to merge technology with teaching innovation—and learn how you can get involved.

AI-Powered, People-Centered: Gemini and NotebookLM at ACC

Presented by Stephanie Bogdanich

Discover how Gemini and NotebookLM can help you work smarter, stay organized, and create with confidence—while keeping people at the heart of AI innovation.

Embedded Tutoring at Austin Community College: Next-Level Academic Support for Online Students

Presented by Catherine C. Wadbrook

Discover how ACC’s embedded tutoring program brings personalized, next-level academic support directly into online courses to boost student success.

Expanding Mental Models for Belonging and Dignity

Presented by Dr. Thymai Dong-Sheehan

Learn how to broaden your mental models with actionable shifts that foster greater belonging and dignity.

Pathways in Action: Faculty Development Aligned with College Goals

Presented by Dr. Theresa Glenn and Dr. LaKisha Barrett

Level up your teaching and become a Pathways Champion by exploring AI Literacy, Universal Design for Learning, and Belonging & Connection—three powerful strands driving student success at ACC.

Supercharge Your Chrome: Customizing Your Browser for Productivity & Sanity

Presented by Lauren Montagnino

Tame your tabs and boost your brainpower—discover fun, simple ways to customize Chrome so it works for you (and your sanity).

The Role of Religious, Spiritual, and Secular Experiences for Student Belonging at ACC

Presented by Grant Potts and Matthew “Matty” Martinez-Mandell

Join a thoughtful, research-informed conversation on how religious, spiritual, and secular identities shape student belonging at ACC.

General Assembly 2025

Breakout Sessions

Have a question?

If you have additional questions, or require further assistance, please reach out to us via:

[email protected]

© Austin Community College   •   Teaching & Learning Excellence Division

Made with 💜 in Austin, Texas

Close
Close

How to Self-Report Professional Development Credit in Workday

Close

Please follow the instructions below for self-reporting of professional development credit, in Workday:

  1. Click on your profile in the upper right-hand corner.

  2. Click the “View Profile” bar.

  3. Select “Career” in the purple profile panel.

  4. Click the “Training” link.

  5. Click the “Add” button.

  6. Fill out the required form fields (see below):

  7. Training- FY 26 General Assembly

  8. Type – Assembly

  9. Duration – Up to five hours (three hours for the morning program and one hour per breakout session attended)

  10. Description – Morning program and/or informational, developmental breakout sessions.

  11. Click the “Submit” button.