Winter Symposium

Modality: P (In Person)

Since 2022, we have hosted a one-day event that provides a series of hands-on workshops, each focusing on one type of pedagogy for a day. For the first three years, this was known as the Holiday Retreat.

For 2025, we are shifting the event and renaming it to Winter Symposium. We are inviting faculty to participate by presenting in an optional poster session, though faculty are also welcome to attend simply to learn and not present

As this event falls within the nine-month contract, we do not provide a stipend. However, we provide snacks at breakfast and break times and a pasta/salad lunch (including vegetarian options). The only event deliverable is a short description of how participants intend to implement concepts and strategies they learned about at this symposium.

Hold the date: Dec. 11 for the 2025 Winter Symposium.

Theme: Teaching for Soft Skills Development

In 2025, the development of student soft skills—communication, collaboration, adaptability, critical thinking, problem-solving, ethical judgment, etc.—has become more urgent than ever. Across all disciplines, employers consistently identify these human capacities as essential complements to technical expertise. At the same time, rapid advances in artificial intelligence present both opportunities and challenges: AI tools can enhance students’ productivity and access to knowledge, but they can also tempt learners to outsource critical thinking, interpersonal engagement, and creativity. For university educators, the question is not whether students will use AI, but how can we design learning experiences that ensure graduates bring uniquely human value to academic, professional, and civic life. This event will focus on strategies to integrate soft skills development into teaching, ensuring that our students thrive in a world where AI is ubiquitous but human judgment and connection remain primary.

Lunch will be provided. Registration will be on a “first-come, first-served” basis for the first 200 full-time faculty. Registration will close when the 200 quota is reached or on Friday, November 21, 2025. Notifications will be sent by Tuesday, November 25^th.

Please contact eric.main@ucf.edu if you have questions regarding the symposium