University & Faculty Fall Conference

Welcome Back University Fall Gathering will be held the morning of Wednesday, September 2, 2026 followed by Faculty Fall Conference that afternoon and all day Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Pre-Conference Workshops will be held Monday, August 31 – Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Registration is now open until August 24, 2026! You must have an epass to register. Please reach out to provost@plu.edu with any questions.

Registration for Faculty / Instructors /Staff with Faculty Status / Academic Deans

Registration for Staff

Monday, August 31, 2026

8:30 – 10:30 am | Getting Started with Sakai for Instructors – Google Meet

Sean Horner, Senior Web Developer

Intended for new faculty and other instructors, this workshop provides a guided walk-through for setting up a Sakai course site. Such tasks include uploading a syllabus and other introductory course materials. Participants will also learn how to publish weekly instructional content, administer a gradebook, and send announcements.

This workshop is open to all faculty/instructors. Registration is required.

9:00 – 10:30 am | The Alternative Grading Exchange: Kicking Off A Faculty Conversation Series – Hauge Admin 101 & Google Meet

Jennifer Smith, Associate Provost for Core Curriculum and Faculty Development

This session brings together faculty from across the university who are already experimenting with specifications grading, ungrading, contract grading, portfolio assessment, and mastery-based approaches to share what’s working, what’s still a work in progress, and why they made the switch. Rather than a how-to workshop, this is a launch point: attendees will share brief highlights from their experiences and help shape the informal conversations, coffee chats, and possible learning community that will continue through the academic year. The goal is to build momentum and connection among faculty at different stages of exploring alternative grading, from the curious newcomer to the seasoned convert. Come ready to swap stories, ask questions, and find your people for the conversations ahead. 

This workshop is open to all faculty/instructors and staff. Contact Jennifer Smith (smithjb@plu.edu) with questions.

10:00 – 11:00 am | Employee Photos I –  Karen Hille Phillips Center for the Performing Arts – Red Square

Sy Bean, Campus Photographer

Are you new to PLU, or would you like a new staff photo? Click here to reserve a time slot*. Space is limited!

*If you are attending New Faculty Orientation on August 26-27, there will be time during orientation for your photo. Please do not sign up for this time slot.

If time slots are full, or if this date/time does not work for you, please leave your name and email in the spreadsheet. If you have questions, please email provost@plu.edu.

Open to all PLU employees including faculty/instructors and staff. Registration is required.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Navigating PLU’s New AI Resources Suite – Hauge Admin 101 & Google Meet

Kevin Berg, Chief Information Officer, Information & Technology Services
Bridget Yaden, Vice Provost for Student Success and Academics

Join us for an update on AI at PLU, starting with a review of our foundational Guiding Principles. The majority of the session will be a comprehensive walkthrough of a new suite of AI resources designed to support AI literacy for PLU faculty and staff. We will explore the public site for guidelines and approved tools, an internal training portal, and a dedicated Google chat space. Additionally, we will demo the new interactive AI Project Hub, built in AppSheet, which allows faculty and staff to discover and share practical AI use cases. 

Open to all faculty and staff. Registration is required.

11:30 am – 1:00 pm | Centering Conversation in IHON and Beyond – Hauge Admin 209

Art Strum, IHON Director

Over the past four years, first-year IHON faculty have reoriented these general education courses (IHON 111, 112 and 201) around *conversation* — not as a better way to deliver material, or even simply to boost student engagement, but as a skill or art which is valuable in itself. In these courses, we employ the resources of 5,000 year old human conversation to cultivate a wondering, questioning attitude towards what seems, at first, simply ‘obvious.’  Our goal is to produce a student confident and competent enough to risk ‘putting their oar’ into this expansive and inclusive human conversation (Our changed focus turns out to work very well for students arriving at PLU with widely varying levels of preparation and aptitudes, and it also works very well to address the challenges of teaching in an age when ‘AI’ use seems to have become a routine part of the academic work process.) But if tries to imagine educating a conversant, how does one know if one has succeeded? In this workshop, IHON faculty will share some of their experiences with this pedagogical experiment, and offer practical suggestions on what has worked. The workshop is particularly intended for current and future IHON 200-level faculty, who will want to know what students learn in the first year and might expect going forward. However, any interested PLU faculty are welcome to join us to share thoughts and ideas.

This session is for all faculty/instructors. Registration is required.

1:00 – 2:00 pm | What’s New in Sakai? – Google Meet

Sean Horner, Senior Web Developer

Intended for instructors who have used Sakai prior to its upgrade in August 2026, this webinar will include demonstrations of significant new features in Sakai 25. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions about how this new version of Sakai will affect teaching and learning in their courses.

This workshop is open to faculty/instructors and staff who have prior experience with Sakai. Registration is required.

1:00 – 3:00 pm | Hong Hall Open House: Wellbeing Services and Resources, and Alumni & Student Connections – Hong Hall

Come drop by and take a tour of Hong Hall and see all of Wellbeing Services and Resources (ground floor) AND Alumni & Student Connections (2nd floor)!

Open to all employees! Registration is preferred but not required.

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm |  Navigating Religious Accommodations Under Title VI – Hauge 202

Dr. Angie Hambrick (Associate Provost for Advising, Equity, & Student Experience) and Pastor Jen Rude (Campus Ministry)

This workshop equips faculty with practical strategies for identifying and honoring reasonable religious accommodation requests, from exam scheduling conflicts to observance needs, while maintaining academic integrity and consistency across courses. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the university’s legal obligations under Title VI, including recent updates to relevant guidance and newly implemented processes for ensuring compliance and consistent support for students across departments.

If you are unable to attend, session materials will be made available to college deans as well as in an upcoming Faculty Newsletter.

Open to all employees!

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm | From Data to Design: Reimagining Teaching and Learning in the General Education Classroom – Hauge Admin 101 & Google Meet

Scott Rogers, Dean of Assessment 

Jen Smith, Associate Provost for Core Curriculum and Faculty Development

Using data from our assessment of the core curriculum to date, we will share what we have discovered about teaching and learning in our general education program over several years. We’ll use these findings to talk about best practices for teaching and assessing student learning in all areas of the core curriculum. 

This meeting is open to all faculty and staff who teach or support general education courses. Registration is required.

3:00 – 4:00 pm | WeVideo: Interactivity & Basics – Google Meet

Janelle Brockman (JB), Instructional and Multimedia Technologist, Instructional Technologies

In this workshop, we will cover the new Interactivity feature of WeVideo! Useful for classrooms and training alike, WeVideo Interactivity allows creators to use their own videos on WeVideo, or source content from YouTube or Vimeo. With any video, you can add questions, polls, discussions, web/pdf attachments, a time-stamped table of contents and more elements to get your class more involved. Once shared, you can see how many views it has, export a worksheet, and use other tools to monitor results.

Open to all PLU employees including faculty/instructors and staff. Registration is required

4:00 – 5:00 pm | HPRB Workshop for Faculty and Staff – Google Meet

Marianne Taylor, Chair of HPRB (Human Participants Review Board)

Open to all faculty whose classes submit HPRB proposals and staff who conducts research involving human participants. Overview of HPRB process and resources including online submission of research through Sitero (Mentor) system.

This workshop is open to all faculty/instructors and staff. Registration is required.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

8:00 am – 12:00 pm | Fall 2026 FYEP Workshop: Working Toward Teaching Excellence in FYEP Classrooms – Hauge Admin 101

Paul Sutton, FYEP Director

In this workshop we’ll be working with FYEP faculty and staff to help them with their work supporting and serving our incoming first year students. This workshop is strongly recommended for all FYEP teaching faculty and staff.

Contact Paul Sutton (suttonps@plu.edu) with questions.

9:00 – 11:00 am | HPRB Workshop for UD and Committee Members – Hauge Admin 200

Marianne Taylor, Chair of HPRB (Human Participants Review Board)

Intended for Unit Designates and Committee members who will review online HPRB proposal submissions and provide feedback through Sitero (Mentor)system.

This workshop is by invitation only; please RSVP via the Google Calendar event invitation. Contact hprb@plu.edu with questions.

10:00 – 11:00 am | Employee Photos II –  Karen Hille Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
– Red Square

Sy Bean, Campus Photographer

Are you new to PLU, or would you like a new staff photo? Click here to reserve a time slot*. Space is limited!

*If you are attending New Faculty Orientation on August 26-27, there will be time during orientation for your photo. Please do not sign up for this time slot.

If time slots are full, or if this date/time does not work for you, please leave your name and email in the spreadsheet. If you have questions, please email provost@plu.edu.

Open to all PLU employees including faculty/instructors and staff. Registration is required.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Adobe Express Basics (our Licensed Canva Alternative) – In- person, room to be determined

Janelle Brockman (JB), Instructional and Multimedia Technologist, Instructional Technologies

If you want an accessible design platform, use Canva or pay for a license, you’ll be interested in our Adobe Express workshop! In a very similar platform to Canva, Adobe Express provides creative assets, pre-made templates, and a host of tools to help you seamlessly transition into a licensed creative software! PLU provides licenses for faculty, staff and students.

Open to all PLU employees including faculty/instructors and staff. Registration is required.

1:00 – 5:00 pm | Academic Program Leaders Meeting – Rieke 103A — To be determined

Joanna Royce-Davis, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academics and Student Experience

All Academic Deans, Department Chairs, and Interdisciplinary Program Chairs/Directors should plan to attend this important meeting where we will discuss the major academic topics for the 2026-2027 academic year.

This meeting is by invitation only; please RSVP via the Google Calendar event invitation. Contact the Division of Academics and Student Experience at provost@plu.edu with questions.

Welcome Back University Fall Gathering

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Chapel — Wednesday, September 2 (Ness Family Chapel, Karen Hille Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 9:30– 10:00 a.m.) All are welcome for the first chapel of the new academic year.

Welcome Back & University Fall Gathering — Wednesday, September 2 (Karen Hille Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (program at 10:15 a.m.)

This year, University Conference has been reimagined as a Welcome Back University Fall Gathering, with familiar programming like the President’s State of the University address, as well as a greater opportunity for community engagement and celebration. 

Following the formal program, join us in Red Square for lunch, celebration, and time to connect with colleagues! Please remember to wear your gold name badge.

To encourage maximum participation, campus offices and facilities will close for this event whenever possible. Please coordinate with your supervisor regarding your department’s specific plans.

Faculty Fall Conference – Day 1 – See below for full schedule

Faculty Fall Conference Day 1: Provost & Chair Addresses + Senator & Committee Meetings

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Chris Knutzen Hall 214, Anderson University Center

Faculty Fall Conference kicks off at 1:15 p.m. in the CK Hall (Anderson University Center) with the Provost’s Address, followed by a session on telling the university’s story. Please note that staff from all divisions are welcome to join these opening activities from 1:15 – 2:15 pm.

1:15-1:20pm Welcome 

Bridget Yaden (Vice Provost for Student Success & Academics) 

1:20-1:25pm Invocation 

Pastor Jen Rude (Campus Ministry)

1:25-1:45pm Provost’s Address
Joanna Royce-Davis (Provost & Senior Vice President for the Division of Academics and Student Experience)

1:45-2:15pm Purposeful Storytelling Activity
Amy Young (Professor of Communication)

2:15-2:45pm Faculty Chair & Senator Panel Discussion
Oksana Ejokina (Faculty Chair and Professor of Music)

2:45-3:00pm Break and Move to the Senator + Constituent Meeting for Your College

3:00-3:30pm Senator + Constituent Meetings 

COLLEGE/ROLE, SENATOR(S), & LOCATION
Health Professions: Terri Farrar (Kinesiology) & Riley Stumpf (Nursing) @ Garfield Clinical and Learning Simulation Center 200
Liberal Studies: James Albrecht (English) & Michael Artime (Political Science) @ Hauge Administration 101
Natural Sciences: Corey Cook (Psychology) & Andrea Munro (Chemistry) @ Rieke 103A to be determined
Professional Studies: James Brown (Music, Theatre, and Dance) & John Wright (Education) @ Mary Baker Russell 322
Contingent Faculty: Kristina Kenning (Nursing) @ Chris Knutzen Hall (AUC)

3:40-4:10pm Faculty Standing Committee Organizational Meetings

COMMITTEE, CONVENER, & LOCATION
Core Curriculum: Neva Laurie-Berry @ Hauge Administration 202
Educational Policies: Erik Hammerstrom @ Hauge Administration 219
Governance: Nicky Martin @ Hauge Administration 211A
Rank and Tenure: Peter Davis @ Hauge Administration 204A

Faculty Fall Conference Day 2: “Relational, Relevant, Rigorous: Teaching that Supports First-Year Student Success and Beyond” + College & Academic Unit Meetings

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | Chris Knutzen Hall 214, Anderson University Center

Staff from all divisions are welcome to attend the morning session, “From Principles to Practice: Designing & Teaching Courses that Support First-Year Student Success & Beyond.”

8:30-9:00am Informal Morning Social 

with coffee, tea, and scones 

9:00-9:05am Welcome 

Joanna Royce-Davis (Provost & Senior Vice President for the Division of Academic and Student Experience)

9:05-10:15am From Principles to Practice: Designing & Teaching Courses that Support First-Year Student Success & Beyond
Paul Sutton (Associate Professor of Education and Director of the First-Year Experience Program) + Faculty/Staff Panel

Staff from all divisions are welcome to attend this session.

10:15-11:20am Relational, Relevant, Rigorous: Spotting Student-Centered Practices in Action 

11:20-11:30am Break

11:30am-12:00pm Facilitated Table Conversations

12:00-12:15pm Debrief & Announcements

12:15-1:00 pm Faculty Fall Conference Lunch 

Buffet lunch provided. Registration is required

1:15-2:00 pm College Meetings 

Health Professions @ Garfield Garfield Clinical and Learning Simulation Center 200
Liberal Studies @ Hauge Administration 101
Natural Sciences @ Rieke 103A To be determined
Professional Studies @ Mary Baker Russell 322 

2:05-2:50 pm School/Department Meetings Meeting details communicated by unit

2:55-3:40 pm Interdisciplinary Program Meetings Meeting details communicated by program

New Student Orientation

Friday, September 4 – Tuesday, September 8, 2026

We will welcome new Lutes to campus during LUTE Welcome. Faculty and staff are invited to join us in welcoming new Lutes during New Student Orientation. You can view the New Student Orientation schedule at plu.edu/nso.

Convocation

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

The Convocation ceremony dates back to customs from medieval universities, meant to welcome new students and faculty and set intentions for the year ahead.

In keeping with a specifically PLU tradition, faculty process down Hinderlie Hill and welcome new Lutes in an outdoor receiving line as students enter Olson Auditorium. Faculty then process in after the incoming class has entered and take their seats on the floor of Olson for the remainder of the ceremony. This ceremony takes on a special meaning as students will convene together in Olson Auditorium to participate in the first commemoration of their academic experience at PLU. The next time the incoming class will gather in this manner will be at Commencement.

All employees are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Convocation schedule for Tuesday, September 2, 2025:

• 9:30 a.m. — Faculty begin to line up at Mortvedt Library for processional down the hill
• 9:45 a.m. — University offices close to allow all employees to attend Convocation
• 10:00 a.m. — Convocation ceremony
• 11:15 a.m. — University offices reopen
• 12:15 p.m. — Classes begin

**Need rental regalia for the Convocation? Order only by August 7!

Please also save the dates for the following events:

• New Faculty Orientation – Wednesday, August 26 – Thursday, August 27, 2026
• New Student Orientation – Friday, September 4 – Tuesday, September 8, 2026
• Labor Day – Monday, September 7, 2026
• Convocation and first day of classes – Tuesday, September 8, 2026
• Faculty Senate (Fall 2026) – Open to Faculty and Associates to Faculty Assembly 2:00-3:30pm (location + virtual)
  • September 11, 2026
  • October 2, 2026
  • November 6, 2026
  • December 4, 2026
• Faculty Assembly – Open to Faculty and Associates to Faculty Assembly 300-5:00pm (location: TBD)
  • November 13, 2026
  • April 9, 2027
• University Assembly
  • Friday, October 16, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. (KHP)
  • Friday, February 26, 2027 at 1:30 p.m. (CK)
  • Friday, May 21, 2027 at 1:30 p.m. (CK)
• Professional Development Days
  • Fall PD Days – October 20 – 22, 2026
  • Spring PD Days – March 2 – 4, 2027
• Homecoming & Family Weekend – Friday, October 9-11, 2026
• Bjug Day – October 13 -14, 2026
• Commencement – Thursday, May 27-28, 2027

Questions? Please contact the Office of the Provost, (253)535-7129 or provost@plu.edu.