Inspiring Ideas and Innovation: 2025 TL&T Conference Highlights

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, Baptist Health Sciences University hosted its second Teaching, Learning, and Technology (TL&T) Conference, led by the Center for Learning and Innovative Pedagogy (CLIP). Faculty and staff came together for a full afternoon of learning, collaboration, and professional growth, all designed to enhance the student experience and strengthen our Blue Healer community.

The conference opened with Dr. Jaime Bissa welcoming participants and setting the stage for a day of gratitude, connection, and innovation. From there, attendees explored up to three interactive breakout sessions, each a 50-minute opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and discussion.

Session topics reflected the wide range of expertise across BHSU, including accessibility, AI, emotional intelligence, and course design.

Session Spotlights

• Supporting Students by Design: Accessibility, Accommodations, and the ADA
  Facilitated by Laurie Brooks and Dr. Jaime Bissa, this session gave faculty and staff practical strategies to create accessible course content in Microsoft 365 and Canvas. Attendees walked away with tools to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.
• Using a Deliberate Practice Model to Promote Psychomotor Skill Retention
  Led by nursing faculty Christie Cavallo and William Wood, this interactive session explored how the deliberate practice method helps health science students master and retain essential clinical skills. Faculty gained insight into building rubrics and designing labs that support deep learning.
• Empowering Educators and Students: Integrating AI into the University Classroom
  Assistant Professor Laura Baker introduced practical, ethical, and innovative ways to bring AI tools into teaching. Faculty engaged in collaborative exercises to design classroom activities using AI, sparking ideas for increasing engagement and learning across disciplines.
• It’s Not Just What You Say… Building Connection with Emotional and Social Intelligence
  Quiana Jenkins led participants through activities and reflections on emotional intelligence, highlighting how empathy and connection shape communication, teamwork, and student success.

The Tooms Lectureship Series

The day concluded with the Tooms Lectureship Series, where Ms. Kathy Lovett delivered the keynote address: “Becoming a Blue Healer: Connection as the Catalyst for Self-Awareness, Readiness, and Resilience.” Her message inspired faculty and staff to carry forward the themes of resilience, connection, and readiness into their classrooms, offices, and personal growth.

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From exploring AI in the classroom to practicing emotional intelligence and advancing accessibility, the 2025 TL&T Conference reflected BHSU’s ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and collaboration.

Thank you to all who presented, participated, and helped make this year’s conference a success. We look forward to building on these insights and gathering again for future opportunities to learn and grow together.