OneCCRI / Professional Development Day

Professional Development Day - Transforming Community Through Collective Action

Friday, April 11th, 2025

8am - 4pm

CCRI's Professional Development Day (PDD) will take place on Friday, April 11th with a full day of in person activities at the Warwick Campus. This year’s theme is Transforming Community Through Collective Action and features a wide range of professional development workshops and community engagement activities for CCRI faculty and staff. Join your colleagues to learn from subject matter experts, enjoy community building activities, and recognize employees for their years of service and exemplary contributions to the college. 

The annual Service Awards ceremony will also be celebrated during Professional Development Day, recognizing the years of service employees have dedicated to the college. We'll also be featuring the inaugural Employee Recognition Award Ceremony to celebrate employees’ unique contributions to the college in aspiring towards excellence. Please register no later than Friday March 28th to be included in the headcount for swag, lunch and your learning sessions.

Register Here

Agenda

• 8am - 8:55am: Continental Breakfast + Sign-In
• 9:00am - 9:20am: Welcoming
• 9:30am - 10am: Keynote Speaker
• 10:10am - 11:10am: Training Session 1
• 11:20am - 12:20pm: Training Session 2
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Lunch
• 1:15pm - 1:45: Employee Recognition Awards
• 1:45pm - 2:15pm: Service Awards
• 2:30pm- 3:30pm: Community Engagement Activities [Campus Walking Tour, Professional Headshots, Scavenger Hunt + Resource Fair]

Workshop Options:

• Session 1: Enhancing Learning through Classroom Embedded Tutoring

  • Description:

    Embedded tutoring is a student support strategy that integrates tutors directly into the classroom, providing real-time assistance to students during class. This approach offers an effective way to ensure all students have access to tutoring services. In this panel session, faculty, staff, and peer tutors will present an overview of embedded tutoring and share insights into its practices and the benefits it brings to students at CCRI.

  • Presented by: Carissah Bizzle, CCRI Early Childhood Education Major and U.S. History Tutor. Stephanie Carter, Director of the Tutoring and Writing Centers. Julie Gelsomino, Associate Professor at CCRI. Meghan Greene, Second-Year Student at CCRI, Majoring in STEM. Suzanne McCormack, PhD, Professor of History in the Department of Social Sciences.

 

• Session 2: Project Management: Achieve Confidently Through Planning

  • Description:

    Attendees will learn about basic project management concepts including fundamental principles, various tools, and techniques to effectively plan, execute, and close projects. Participants will learn key concepts such as developing scope, establishing effective interdepartmental collaboration, scheduling, identifying dependencies, assessing and managing risk, and adapting to project constraints.

  • Presented by: Pete Bardsley, Associate Director of Institutional Effectiveness

 

• Session 3: The Cultural Frameworks in Teaching and Learning Model

  • Description:

    This session will introduce The Cultural Frameworks in Teaching and Learning model from Chavéz and Longerbeam's book "Teaching Across Cultural Strengths." The model identifies 8 pieces of teaching and learning where people from different cultural backgrounds may have different conceptions of learning or expectations for teaching. Participants will consider where their own expectations fit within the model and consider how we can be more transparent in our language, expectations, and instruction with people from all backgrounds.

  • Presented by: Rachel Rogers, Director of the Center of Teaching Excellence

 

• Session 4: Understanding & Mitigating Implicit Bias

  • Description:

    We all hold unconscious associations that shape our perceptions and decisions—often in ways we don’t realize. In this interactive workshop, we will define implicit bias, explore how these biases develop, and discuss their real-world impact in workplace settings. Through case studies and group discussions, participants will examine common scenarios where bias can influence outcomes and identify strategies for mitigating its effects. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with practical tools to create more equitable and inclusive workplace processes.

  • Presented by: Joshua Segui, Director of Director, Equity and Inclusion

 

• Session 5: Core Values and Their Role in the Work

  
  

  • Description:

    Join this interactive session designed to help faculty and staff explore and identify their core values. In this engaging workshop, you will reflect on what truly matters to you and gain a deeper understanding of how these values shape your professional life. By connecting your personal values with your work at CCRI, you will enhance your sense of purpose and alignment, empowering you to make a more meaningful impact in your role and in the community you serve. This session will encourage self-reflection, open discussion, and practical strategies for incorporating your core values into everyday work at the college.

  • Presented by: Maya Geraldo, Manager of Academic and Faculty Initiatives

 

• Session 6: Public Speaking

  • Description:

  • This Public Speaking discussion will cover the importance of speaking clearly to advocate for yourself and others. We will also discuss common challenges faced when speaking in public, types and methods of public speaking, and preparation techniques.We will also have a group exercise with voluntary public speaking practice.

  • Presented by: Jennifer O'Rourke, Assistant Professor in Communication and Media

 

• Session 7: Faculty and Staff Mental Health

  • Description: A healthy mind can set us up for greater happiness and more productivity in our personal and professional lives. This workshop will include a discussion of common stressors that impact our mental health as well as research-based best practices to enhance and improve our mental health. Stress-reduction techniques will be discussed, as well as mindfulness practices and adjunctive therapies.

  • Presented by: Genevieve Verdi, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Psychology

 

• Session 8: Assessing Student Learning with Blackboard: Tools and Strategies
  • Description:

  • Attend this workshop to explore how to use Blackboard’s EAC Visual Data tool to assess student learning outcomes effectively. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to align course activities with learning outcomes and how this tool can streamline the assessment process. Collaborate with peers in groups to analyze real assessment results and uncover insights to improve your teaching. Leave with practical next steps and skills you can apply in your courses right away!

  • Presented by: Lauren Webb, Director of Academic Program Review and Accredidation. Sarah Beth Gable, Assessment Coordinator

 

• Session 9: Mindful Interactions & Effective Communication
  

  • Description:

  • We welcome you to our Intentional Communication Workshop where we curated interactive activities and discussions that highlight the importance of introducing mindfulness into communication. We will focus on active listening techniques, managing difficult conversations, non-verbal communication, and fostering confidence in our students, staff, and ourselves. The workshop aims to promote the significance of interacting with others through a lens of genuine curiosity and an acknowledgement of identities. Our hope is to create a ripple of curiosity and care that extends into the success and positive experiences of our students and staff.

  • Presented by: Oliver Nunez, Student Engagement Coordinator. Digna Arias, One Stop Student Services Office Manager. Daniel Tovar, Student Engagement Coordinator.

 

• Session 10: Emergency Responses and Campus Safety
  

  • Description:

  • A general overview of emergency response procedures used by the College and actions community members should take for different situations. This will lead into a discussion of the Pathway to Violence and the importance of prevention and intervention. We will finish with an in-depth instruction on response of an active shooter/killer event, specific to CCRI, and the concept of Run Hide Fight.

  • Presented by: Chief Joseph Hopkins and Deputy Chief Timothy Poulin

 

• Session 11: Faculty Promotion and Tenure Development
  

  • Description:

  • Join the academic deans to learn about CCRI's faculty promotion and tenure process and requirements. Take this opportunity to plan for your own professional development as you work toward these important career milestones.

  • Presented by: Beth Anish, Dean of Learning Commons and Classroom Technology. Suzanne Carr, Dean of Health and Rehabilitative Science. Blair Ruscitti, Interim Dean of Business, Science, Technology and Mathematics. Bill Stargard, Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

 

• Session 12: Verbal De-Escalation and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
  

  • Description:

  • In this training, the topic of verbal de-escalation and non-violent crisis intervention will be introduced and practiced. This training is designed for any staff member that regularly interacts with the public, particularly administrative personnel and faculty. The goal of the training is to equip participants with basic skills that can deescalate conflict that may occur during public interactions with people we serve.

  • Presented by: Kyle Gamache, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Roger Williams University

 

• Session 13: Supporting Neurodivergent People
  

  • Description:

  • One form of human diversity that may not be immediately apparent is neurodiversity. But what is neurodiversity? How does it impact how people relate to their jobs or classrooms? How should someone relate to an employee or colleague with neurodiversity? In this workshop, you’ll learn what we mean by Neurodivergence and Neurodiversity, understand how neurodiversity may impact the experience of people in higher education settings, and use this knowledge to critically examine commonly used practices at colleges and professional settings. There will be a brief presentation followed by plenty of time for discussion.

  • Presented by: Allison Robinson, Director, Disability Accessibility for Students (DAS). Kristen Swithers, Associate Professor of Biology. Bianca Fiocco, Coordinator Disability Accessibility for Students (DAS).

 

• Session 14: Motivation and Sustainability
  

  • Description:

  • This professional development session will define and explore strategies to enhance motivation. Through interactive discussions and practical applications, participants will gain insights into the science of motivation, discover ways to foster engagement in themselves and others, and learn techniques to ensure motivation is sustainable. The session will also address common challenges and provide actionable steps to create a positive, motivating work environment that supports success.

  • Presented by: Lori Kasher, Assistant Professor of Nursing. Mandy Long, Assistant Professor of Philosophy.

 

• Session 15: AI for Efficiency: Transforming Campus Operations with Smart Tools
  

  • Description:

  • The first session of this interactive workshop introduces faculty to the fundamentals of AI, including its applications in academia, potential pitfalls, and strategies for designing AI-resistant assessments. Participants will explore tools like ChatGPT, learn how students may use AI in coursework, and discuss best practices for ethical AI integration. A Q&A session will address common concerns, ensuring faculty leave with practical insights for navigating AI in the classroom.

  • Designed for CCRI staff, the second session of this workshop explores how AI can streamline administrative tasks, enhance student services, and improve operational efficiency across departments like admissions, advising, HR, and finance. Participants will learn about AI-driven tools for automating workflows, analyzing data, and personalizing student interactions while discussing ethical considerations and potential risks. The session concludes with a Q&A, providing staff with actionable knowledge on leveraging AI responsibly in their daily roles.

  • Presented by: Michael Marrapodi, Executive Director of Online Learning. Leslie Killgore, Director of General Education and Professor of Sociology.

 

• Session 16: Investing Essentials - 5 Principles to Invest with Confidence
  

  • Description:

  • This workshop walks attendees through the retirement process and provides information about retirement planning and financial considerations. TIAA financial consultants will talk participants through key steps, including determining retirement timelines and understanding benefits. The session aimed to empower employees with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their future, fostering confidence in their retirement journey.

  • Presented by: William Harig, TIAA Financial Consultant