Faculty Colloquium

The Faculty Colloquium is a half-day event designed to bring faculty together for focused professional development. It is held on an annual basis the week prior to the start of the spring semester. The colloquium features a keynote address from a nationally recognized expert in higher education teaching, offering fresh insights and strategies for the classroom. Following the keynote, attendees participate in an interactive Q&A session and a hands-on workshop aimed at practical application. The event also includes a lunch, providing time for informal networking and discussion among colleagues.

2027 Event Information

Keynote Address

Things That Still Matter in College Teaching: Exploring What to Keep, Change, and Try Next

Change is constant in our classrooms, and keeping up with new educational technologies and teaching approaches can easily leave us feeling overwhelmed. In spite of this shifting landscape, the essentials of good teaching remain remarkably consistent. This year’s colloquium invites faculty to reconsider the enduring essentials at the heart of effective college teaching: knowing our students, building supportive relationships, communicating clearly, creating community, and inspiring success. Rather than offering a generic list of the latest strategies, this practical session explores real classroom tensions and helps us anchor our daily decision-making. Together, we will tackle the core questions: What do our students truly need from us in order to learn, and what do we need in order to keep doing this work well? Join us to step back from the noise, explore shared challenges, and make a grounded plan for what to keep, what to change, and what to try next.

Date: Friday, January 8, 2027
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.*
Location: TBD

*Breakfast and registration begin at 8:00 a.m. 

Biography of Keynote Speaker

Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner is the Joan Pender McManus Distinguished Professor in Early Childhood Education at the Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education at Louisiana State University. She teaches in both the PK–3 teacher certification and early childhood education graduate programs. Her research focuses on teaching, learning, and educator well-being through a relational and ecological perspective. She has specific interests in teacher stress and coping, child development, teacher education, and how educators can effectively translate theory and knowledge into practice.

Dr. Baumgartner is particularly interested in the experiences and stories of educators and what these narratives can teach us about effective educational practices. She leads the Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher Oral History Project, which aims to document, preserve, and learn from the experiences of early childhood educators.

In addition to her work in early childhood education, Dr. Baumgartner is involved in teaching and learning in higher education. As the Faculty Chair of LSU’s Communication across the Curriculum program, she collaborates with faculty across various disciplines to enhance teaching, promote communication-intensive pedagogy, and improve student learning. Her faculty development initiatives emphasize the importance of relationships, reflection, meaningful communication, and the creation of learning experiences that facilitate student connections and growth.

Dr. Baumgartner’s work is grounded in the belief that relationships are fundamental to learning, and that investing in educators can strengthen the classrooms, communities, and institutions they help to develop.

A Message from our Sponsor

This event is sponsored, in part, by Campus Federal. Campus Federal was established in 1934 by seven employees of Louisiana State University. The bond between Campus Federal and Louisiana State University continues to remain strong. Our mission is to be your trusted financial partner for every stage of your life. We are a forward-thinking financial institution offering flexible, competitive products and exceptional member service. Our commitment to strategic, diversified growth ensures long-term financial stability and strong performance.

 

Accessibility Statement

We strive to host events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Kelsey Brannon at (225) 578-7211 and kelsey.brannon@lsu.edu. At least two weeks' advance notice will help us to provide seamless access.

Registration

Please reach out to Kelsey Brannon at kelsey.brannon@lsu.edu with any questions.