September 5, 2024Academic Play: The Power of Mentoringby Caroline J. KetchamIf Einstein says play is the highest form of research, I like to think undergraduate research is one of the purist forms of academic play. I thoroughly enjoy the sandboxes, obstacle courses, and playgrounds I have gotten to engage in…
June 4, 2024Transitions . . . Uneven and Uneasyby Caroline J. KetchamI have landed in a season of transitions as a mom and as a professional. My oldest, Elliot, is headed to college in the fall, my youngest, Liam, will be starting high school, and I will start a new role…
May 21, 2024A CEL Research Seminar on Neuroinclusive Engaged Learningby Caroline J. KetchamThis summer we launch a multi-year, multi-institutional research seminar through the Center for Engaged Learning focused on “Affirming and Inclusive Engaged Learning for Neurodivergent Students.” As with all the seminars, the lead-up to this has been a multi-year process with…
October 23, 2023Capitalizing on Capstone Experiencesby Jessie L. Moore and Nolan SchultheisMaking College “Worth It” – Season 1, Episode 4 Caroline Ketcham and Tony Weaver, co-editors of Cultivating Capstones: Designing High-Quality Culminating Experiences for Student Learning, share strategies for faculty and students to make the most of these high-impact opportunities for…
April 25, 2023Trading Engaged Learning Skills: What We Can Learn From Our Kids and Our Kids’ Learning Spacesby Caroline J. KetchamOn a Wednesday in mid-April, I decided to step away from work and go watch my oldest son Elliot compete in cabinetry at SkillsUSA NC state competition. I debated going for a moment—there are things to grade, a meeting or…
March 14, 2023Ableism in Academia: The Uneven Impacts of Distraction and Procrastinationby Caroline J. KetchamRecently in one of my productive distraction moments, I came across a tweet thread from Dr. Hannah Snyder (@Hannah_R_Snyder) that spurred reflection for me in my teaching, and has led to this discussion in this platform more broadly. Two articles…
January 31, 2023Ableism in Academia: Are Your Conferences and Events Inclusive and Accessible?by Caroline J. KetchamAs we start the new year and new semester, it is the season of planning, and we are likely planning for the larger events of next year or years ahead—conferences, speakers, special promotions. Let’s talk about inclusion for these events….
October 25, 2022Ableism in Academia: Spotlighting Inclusive Opportunitiesby Caroline J. Ketcham As many of our campuses are all in the rhythm of the semester, let’s explore what is being done or could be done to support inclusive opportunities throughout the many outstanding and engaging events on campus. College campuses are ripe…
August 24, 2022Universal Design in the Classroom: Quick Tips to Tryby Caroline J. Ketcham and Alexa DarbyUniversal Design applied to a classroom is the concept that structuring your course and course materials can simplify, enhance, and make accessible the learning in your classroom. It originally started with physical spaces and continues to expand into many areas…
August 12, 2022Mentoring for Learner Success: Mentoring is not (just) having a cup of coffee, part 3by Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler, Cynthia Fair, and Caroline KetchamIn part 1 of this blog series, we introduced mentoring as more than (just) having a cup of coffee, and in part 2, we shared snapshots from our own experiences with mentoring relationships. In this final post in the series,…