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INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS THE CURRICULUM
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ICSAC
International Center For Sustainability Across the Curriculum
2017
INTRODUCTION PARTICIPANTS FACILITATORS
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PHOTO GALLERY Held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton at the McAllen Convention Center, McAllen , TX
PRESENTORS COMMENTS SUGGESTIONS
FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
ICSAC 2017
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), in partnership with the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), hosted an intensive twoday faculty development program entitled the International Center for Sustainability Across the Curriculum (ICSAC) Conference. Growing out of our university’s successful Project Sin Fronteras, the program has a common goal that brings together faculty from all fields, allowing for an exchange of ideas nurturing an enriching collaborative atmosphere. This interdisciplinary exercise helps faculty to explore the shifts in pedagogy
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needed to incorporate sustainability concepts, problems, or solutions into new or existing courses. Drawn from experienced faculty and professionals on issues of sustainability, environment, and curriculum, these instructional materials, activities, and presentations will support the education for sustainable development in higher education. International faculty, and faculty from across the nation, were invited to join local, state, national, and global participants, providing international experiences while opening a range of collaborative and networking opportunities for all. This report provides a synopsis of the 2017 conference and results from the survey post conference.
PARTICIPANTS Participants found the conference experience as excellent (72.2%) and good (27.8%). The components of the conference were rated by attendees on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 high). The elements they rated positively included location/facilities, cost, facilitators’ skills, would recommend coursework, resources, creating sustainable content in my courses, purpose and goals were clear, applicability of sustainability in their area of work, and they had excellent interactions with their colleagues. Responses for these ranked typically in the 4-5 range.
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ATTENDEES BY TYPE 2%
13%
UTRGV Faculty International Faculty
19% 9%
51%
Staff Speakers and Administrators Graduate Students
6%
Cancellations
14 8
33
16
1
1
2
DEPARTMENTS
UTRGV TOTAL ICSAC PARTICIPANTS
1
1
3
2
9
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
LOCATION
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HELD AT THE EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON MCALLEN CONVENTION CENTER MCALLEN, TEXAS
FACILITATORS 1 is an associate professor Dr. AmyDAY Hay, of history at UTRGV. Hay’s research 8:00 AM . Continental Breakfast & Sign In 8:30 AM .focus Welcome Provost Dr. Havidán Rodríguez,and Provost the interests on medicine and EVP for Academic Affairs Franklin, Chief Sustainability Officer environment,Marianella women and gender, and 9:00 AM . Transdisciplinary Instruction & Educating for Sustainability activism and public policy. She has published on the Love Canal chemical disaster, scientists investigating the 10:15 AM . Dr. Amy Weimer Associate Dean and Student ecological Academic effects of Agent Orange, Development Service Learning 10:30the AM . Approaches to Curriculum Integration Carson’s and on influence Rachel 12:00 Spring PM . Lunch had on three western Silent Dr. Ala Qubbaj Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity -UTRGV ADVANCE women’s environmental activism. Sustainability at UTRGV, Marianella Franklin, Chief Sustainability Officer She is currently completely a manuscript looking at various citizen protests (scientists, students, environmentalists) against Agent Orange herbicides. 1:00 PM . Professional Development | Process for An introduction to sustainability and how it applies to multiple disciplines through hands-on activities and discussions. Participants will gain an understanding of the core principles of sustainability using a framing that emphasizes wellbeing and interdependence.
Education for Sustainable Development in High School, Mr. Mario Bracamontes Principal ,Buell Central High School Mr. David Rocha English Teacher Curriculum Developer Buell Central High School
Instructional Design
A focus on instructional design and strategies for integrating sustainability into existing syllabi. Participants will be guided through a stepwise process to redesign syllabi in ways that emphasize student engagement, inquiry and action. The process also supports the alignment of outcomes, assessment and learning activities.
Ms. Susan Santone is the founder and 2:30 PM . Approaches to Curriculum Integration Executive Director of Creative Change 5:00 PM . Closing Remarks Educational Solutions. A former class room teacher, she specializes in instructional design and training for sustainability, ecological economics, and cultural issues. She is also an adjunct instructor in Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan University, where she taught “Schools in a Diverse and Democratic Society” and “Teaching Ecological Economics.” She earned teacher certificates in social studies, music, and TESOL; and has a Master’s Degree in Intercultural and International Management from the SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont. 2:15 PM . Break
AGENDA FEATURING DAY 1 GUEST SPEAKERS
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DAY 2 FEATURING GUEST SPEAKERS
DR. AMY HAY & Sign In 8:00 AM . Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM . Continental Breakfast & Sign In DR. AMY HAY
Dr. Amy Hay, is an associate professor of history at UTRGV. Hay’s 8:30 AM . Welcome Provost Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, Provost research interests focus on medicine and the environment, women and EVP for Academic Affairs and gender, and activism and public policy. She has published on the Marianella Franklin, Sustainability Officerthe ecological Love Canal chemicalChief disaster, scientists investigating
Dr. Amy Hay, is an associate professor of history at UTRGV. Hay’s 8:30 AM . Welcome Remarks research interests focus on medicine and the environment, women Cristina Trejo Assist VP Community Engagement and and gender, and activism and public policy. She has published on the Assessment | Alan Director of International LoveEarhart Canal chemical disaster, scientists investigating the ecological Programs and Partnerships effects of Agent Orange, and on the influence Rachel Carson’s Silent
effects of Agent Orange, and on the influence Rachel Carson’s Silent
Spring had on three western women’s environmental activism. She 9:00 AM . Transdisciplinary Instruction & Educating for Sustainability is currently completely a manuscript looking at various citizen An introduction to sustainability how it applies against to multiple protests (scientists, students, and environmentalists) Agent disciplines hands-on activities and discussions. Participants Orangethrough herbicides. will gain an understanding of the core principles of sustainability using a framing that emphasizes wellbeing and interdependence.
SUSAN SANTONE
10:15 AM is. Dr. Amy Weimer Associate Deanofand Student Ms. Susan Santone the founder and Executive Director Creative Change Educational Solutions. A former classroom Academic Development Service Learning teacher, she specializes in instructional design and training for sustainability, ecological economics, and cultural issues. She is also AM in . Approaches to Curriculum Integration an adjunct10:30 instructor Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan University, where she taught “Schools in a Diverse and Democratic Society” and “Teaching 12:00 PM . Ecological Lunch Economics.” She earned teacher certificates in social studies, and TESOL; and has a Master’s Dr.music, Ala Qubbaj Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Degree in Intercultural and International Management from the Diversity -UTRGV ADVANCE SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont. Sustainability at UTRGV, Marianella Franklin, Chief Sustainability Officer
DR. ALFONSO Education for SustainableMERCADO Development in High School, Mr. Mario Bracamontes Principal ,Buellfrom Central High School California, Dr. Alfonso Mercado, originally Los Angeles, Mr. David Rocha Teacher Curriculum Developerof Psychological currently is anEnglish Assistant Professor in the Department BuellScience CentralatHigh School and a Licensed Psychologist. This summer the UTRGV 2017 he will be dually appointed in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology Development in the School of Medicine. 1:00 PM . Professional | ProcessHe foris also a National Register Health Service Psychologist and provides psychological services Instructional Design to children, adolescents, and adults including individual therapy, A focus on instructional design and strategies for integrating specialized group therapies, and conducts psychological evaluations. sustainability into received existing syllabi. will be in guided throughat Dr. Mercado his BSParticipants and MS degrees psychology a stepwise process to redesign syllabiininThousand ways thatOaks, emphasize student California Lutheran University California and engagement, inquiry and action. The process also supports completed his doctorate at Fielding Graduate University, an the APA alignment of outcomes, learning activities. accredited program,assessment receiving and a PhD in Clinical Psychology. His current research lab focus on Latino mental health, personality, substance abuse, and multicultural 2:15InPM . Break interventions. addition to his professional career, Dr. Mercado also serves his community in several capacities. 2:30 PM . Approaches to Curriculum Integration 5:00 PM . Closing Remarks
Spring had on three western women’s environmental activism. She
is currently completely a manuscript looking at various citizen 9:00 AM . Aligning Ideas, Instruction and Assessment
protests (scientists, students, environmentalists) against Agent Developing Relationships across departments and institutions. Concentrated Orange herbicides. time to get feedback and help each other complete elements of a syllabus. (SLO’s)
10:30 AM . Break
SUSAN SANTONE
Ms. Susan Santone is the founder and Executive Director of
10:45 AM Change . StoriesEducational of Success-Solutions. SharingAideas for promoting Creative former classroom teacher, she and specializes in instructional design and training for recruiting sustainability, ecological economics, and |cultural issues. Dr. Christopher Gabler Dr. Amy HayShe is also an adjunct instructor in Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan Dr. Angel Saavedra | Dr. University, where she taught “Schools in aEdith DiverseGaly and Democratic Society” and “Teaching Ecological Economics.” She earned teacher
certificates social studies, music,for andICSAC TESOL; and has a Master’s 12:00 PM . inResource Centers Degree in Intercultural and International Management from for the Teaching Excellence Dr. Javier Lionel Cavazos Director Center SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont. Dr. Francisco Guajardo Executive Director B3 Institute
1:00 PM
DR. ALFONSO MERCADO Dr. Alfonso Mercado Assistant Professor Department of Psychological Dr. Science College of Liberal Arts Alfonso Mercado, originally from Los Angeles, California, is an Assistant Professor in the Mental Healthcurrently and Sustainability Efforts in anDepartment of Psychological Science at the UTRGV and a Licensed Psychologist. This summer Underserved Community 2017 he will be dually appointed in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology in the School of Medicine. He is also a National Register
1:30 PM . Making it Happen Health Service Psychologist and provides psychological services
to children, and adults including individual therapy, Next steps in getting your classadolescents, ready to integrate sustainability in the specialized group therapies, and conducts psychological evaluations. curriculum STARS Assessment | Requirements | Instructional Design Dr. Mercado received his BS and MS degrees in psychology at Checklist. California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California and completed his doctorate at Fielding Graduate University, an APA 2:15 PM . Break accredited program, receiving a PhD in Clinical Psychology. His current research lab focus on Latino mental health, personality, substance abuse, and multicultural interventions. In addition to Highlights his professional career, Dr. Mercado also serves his community in 2:30 PM . Contribution & Recognition - Building several capacities.
Community
Interviews, Evaluation, Certificates, Group Photo
3:30 PM . Closing Remarks
PRESENTORS
Dr. Havidán Rodríguez Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Marianella Franklin, Chief Sustainability Officer, Office For Sustainability
Mr. R. David Rocha, English Teacher and Curriculum Developer, Buell Central High School
Dr. Amy Weimer, Associate Professor, Psychological Science; Associate Director, Center for Bilingual Studies UTRGV
Dr. Doris Mendiola Data and Research Manager Division of Governmental and Community Relations UTRGV
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Dr. Ala Qubbaj, Vice Provost For Faculty Affairs and Diversity, representing ADVANCE UTRGV
Mr. Alan Earhart Director of International Programs and Partnerships UTRGV
Mr. Mario Bracamontes Principal, Buell Central High School and City Commissioner, City of Pharr
Dr. Christopher Gabler Assistant Professor School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences UTRGV
Dr. Havidán Rodríguez Welcome presentation
Dr. Angel Saavedra Assistant Professor for Political Science UTRGV
Dr. Javier Lionel Cavazos Center for Teaching Excellence UTRGV
Dr. Francisco Guajardo Excecutive Director, B3 Institue UTRGV
Dr. Alfonso Mercado Assistant Professor Department of Psychological Science UTRGV
COMMENTS
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PLEASE DESCRIBE ANY WORKSHOP COMPONENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT WORKED FOR YOU, AND WHY. “HEARING THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS HELPED ME REALIZE INCORPORATING SUSTAINABILITY INTO THE CURRICULUM IS NOT THAT HARD AND THE BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS GET MAXIMIZED”
“THE SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK WAS A GREAT COMPONENT SINCE IT WILL HELP ME INCORPORATE THE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND PRINCIPLES TO MY SYLLABUS. ALSO, THE ACTIVITIES TO NETWORK AND THE PRESENTATION OF UTRGV CENTERS AND DEPARTMENTS SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES WAS SIGNIFICANTLY VALUABLE”
“THE MATERIAL PROVIDED AND THE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES WERE EXCELLENT!”
“THE SEATING ARRANGEMENTS WITH FACULTY MEMBERS FROM DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES HELPED ME TO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE”
EXCELLENT ORGANIZATION AND PROGRAM. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FACILITATORS! THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK AND “CONNECT” WAS KEY. THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUE LEARNING AND IMPLEMENTING WHAT I LEARN TO BENEFIT MY STUDENTS.
“VERY WELL PLANNED AND ORGANIZED; CONTENT GREAT”
SUGGESTIONS
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ASSISTANCE DEVELOPING SUSTAINABILITY STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES IN CONTEXT OF OUR SYLLABUS OR PERHAPS MODEL SYLLABUS INCORPORATED TO THE BINDER/HANDOUTS PROVIDED. A LOT MORE TIME TO GROUP ACTIVITIES DEVELOPING THESE AND PRESENTING TO OTHERS FOR INFORMAL ASSESSMENT AND IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK FROM EVERYONE.
ADD SOME ASPECTS OF EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
FACULTY MEMBERS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY ATTENDED THE SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP SHOULD BE INVITED SO THAT THEY CAN DEMONSTRATE HOW INCORPORATING SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPTS IN THEIR COURSE HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY STUDENTS.
MORE FACULTY PARTICIPANTS/ ATTENDEES
MORE CONTENT ON SUSTAINABILITY. THE SPEAKER TO BE PRESENT RATHER THAN THE CONFERENCE CALL. BROADER INTERNATIONAL REACH
I WOULD RECOMMEND HAVING ONLY FACETO-FACE SPEAKERS TO AVOID CONNECTIVITY ISSUES.
FOLLOW UP WORKSHOPS
ADD SOME ASPECTS OF EVALUATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
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