Special Events


WORKSHOPS

Each semester, CITL offers workshops, special programs, and reading groups. Open to faculty and teaching assistants, many of these events count toward meeting the requirements of our teaching certificates. For information about an event, please check the CITL Calendar.

Gen AI Workshops & Sessions

The Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) is hosts the Summer of AI and Fall Into AI series at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Throughout this each series faculty and staff have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops, guest talks, and conversations on how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts the future of education and beyond.

PRE-SEMESTER TA TRAINING

Two campus-wide, pre-semester orientation programs for new Teaching Assistants (TAs) are held each August and January. Departments register their TAs for these programs; individual TAs cannot register themselves.

  • The Graduate Academy for College Teaching prepares TAs for classroom teaching responsibilities (lecture, discussion, laboratory, or studio) by engaging them in interactive sessions about teaching strategies and resources. The program is designed as a conference with choices of sessions on foundational teaching topics, discipline-based teaching topics and language, culture, and diversity topics. Microteaching sessions provide TAs with a safe and constructive environment to practice their teaching skills.
  • The Symposium on Grading & Office Hours is for those TAs who have non-classroom responsibilities. In large and small group sessions, TAs learn about effective and fair grading techniques and how to use office hours as an opportunity for good teaching and learning.

CONFERENCES

At CITL, we believe in the power of community to inspire and transform education. Our faculty events provide unique opportunities for educators to connect, share ideas, and explore the future of teaching and learning. Whether you’re looking to dive into the latest pedagogical innovations, explore cutting-edge technologies, or build meaningful partnerships, our events offer a place for growth, collaboration, and inspiration. CITL employees help to organize several annual conferences targeted to instructional staff and faculty:

Annual Faculty Retreat

Teaching is never static; it’s a living, evolving practice. The Annual Faculty Retreat offers campus educators an opportunity to join colleagues from across campus in a space designed for connection, creativity, and collaboration.

The retreat is more than just about learning new techniques; it’s about reimagining what’s possible in our learning spaces and beyond. In collaboration with units and colleges across campus, we’ll share ideas, reflect on what works (and what doesn’t), and explore approaches that make learning more engaging and meaningful for every student.

At the retreat, we aim to:

  • Build on the collective wisdom and experience of our faculty.
  • Share innovative strategies that support student success.
  • Spark partnerships that extend beyond departments and disciplines.

Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas to energize your courses or simply want to connect with colleagues who care about teaching as much as you do, this retreat is your opportunity to recharge and rediscover why this work matters.

Highlights

  • Interactive sessions with teaching innovators.
  • Hands-on workshops that turn ideas into action.
  • Collaborative conversations with faculty from every corner of campus.

Looking Ahead: 2026 Faculty Retreat

The 2026 Annual Faculty Retreat: “Building Resilient Faculty Through Community, Connection, & Collaborative Problem-Solving,” takes these goals even further. We’ll dive into strategies for civil discourse, academic freedom, and personal well-being—through storytelling, student perspectives, and hands-on practice. Expect lightning talks, dialogue circles, and role-play workshops that move beyond theory into action.

Join us on March 6, 2026, and be part of a campus-wide conversation about resilience, collaboration, and the future of teaching.

Reimagining the Classroom Symposium

The Reimagining the Classroom Symposium is an exciting event that explores the evolving relationship between physical classrooms, teaching methods, and emerging technologies. As we strive to create transformative learning experiences for our students, this symposium supports the university’s Strategic 150 goal by helping educators rethink how we design learning spaces to enhance student engagement and success.

At this symposium, you’ll have the chance to:

  • Explore how the physical design of classrooms can impact learning outcomes.
  • Learn about the latest technologies and teaching strategies that are reshaping modern classrooms.
  • Engage in discussions about the future of teaching and how to create more flexible, student-centered learning environments.

What You’ll Experience:

  • Thought-provoking presentations on the future of teaching and classroom design.
  • Discussions on how to create learning spaces that support diverse teaching styles.
  • Opportunities to see how emerging technologies can transform the way we teach.
Lincoln Legacy Teaching & Learning Conference (LLTLC)

Lincoln Legacy Teaching & Learning Conference (LLTLC). Formerly known as the Faculty Summer Institute (FSI), the Lincoln Legacy Teaching and Learning Community (LLTLC) is a long-standing tradition of excellence in education. Each May, educators and instructional technology professionals from across Illinois and beyond gather at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to explore innovative teaching practices and the smart use of educational technologies.

For over 25 years, this event has been a hub of inspiration, offering participants the chance to:

  • Discover new pedagogies and technologies that can transform student learning.
  • Engage in hands-on workshops and practical training.
  • Connect with a vibrant community of educators passionate about advancing teaching excellence.

Join us as we continue this legacy, fostering a friendly, supportive environment where educators can learn, share, and grow together.

Why Attend?

  • Learn from thought leaders in teaching and educational technology.
  • Participate in hands-on, practical training that you can implement right away.
  • Be part of a community dedicated to pushing the boundaries of teaching and learning.
Discourse Series

Discourse Series

The Discourse Series is designed to help faculty navigate challenging yet essential conversations in academic spaces. Through interactive sessions and practical strategies, this series equips educators to foster inclusive dialogue, manage moments of tension, and guide students through complex topics with empathy and care.

In this series, we aim to:

  • Explore how shared values and respectful disagreement can coexist in and beyond the classroom.
  • Strengthen facilitation skills for open, thoughtful, and supportive conversations.
  • Build a campus culture that promotes belonging and equity through dialogue.

Whether you’re addressing controversial issues or seeking to enhance your communication skills, the Discourse Series offers tools and techniques to create more inclusive learning environments. Participants can also earn the Inclusive Dialogue Facilitation Certificate, recognizing their commitment to fostering respectful and productive discourse.

How would you and your students benefit?

  • Gain confidence and strategies for facilitating sensitive discussions.
  • Help students develop critical thinking, listening, and engagement across differences.
  • Create classrooms that support belonging, empathy, and resilience.