Spring 2025 Faculty Development Day Program

Breakout Sessions 1 (the first set of breakout sessions will all take place remotely on Zoom: these sessions will be recorded)

Teaching in Prison- Pedagogies of Hope in Global Best Practices (ZOOM)

Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Presenter: Sergio Grossi

Abstract: Teaching in prison can be a transformative way to realize justice. This session explores global best practices in prison education, focusing on examples such as the APAC model in Brazil, the University of Buenos Aires prison program, and the therapeutic model of Grendon Prison in the UK. These initiatives demonstrate how education can move from reinforcing oppression to fostering hope, creating inclusive and rehabilitative spaces that reduce recidivism and promote reintegration. Drawing from interdisciplinary research and lived experiences, the presentation highlights how trust-building, collaborative practices, and innovative educational approaches can reshape prison environments into communities of learning and growth. Participants will examine how these practices can be adapted to their own contexts, from curriculum design to mentorship programs. By bridging theory and practice, this session provides actionable strategies for educators and administrators to contribute to systemic change while fostering hope and opportunity for incarcerated individuals.

Vital Voices: How Simple Inclusive Practices Foster Student Success and Community Enrichment (ZOOM)

Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Presenters: Jocelyn Castillo and Ingrid Conley-Abrams

Abstract: Although higher education institutions strive to enhance student success through inclusive practices, such as support for neurodivergent individuals and English language learners, essential community voices often go unheard. Both English language learners and neurodivergent students face significant challenges that can prevent them from thriving in traditional classroom settings. When these students struggle to succeed, it not only limits an individual’s chances of graduating and finding employment, but also deprives the institution of valuable and distinct contributions to academic excellence and community engagement. By supporting these individuals, we can enhance the overall vibrancy of our college community. This presentation will outline feasible, inclusive strategies that extend beyond basic compliance. As students face academic barriers, institutions must implement systemic change, emphasizing proactive initiatives rather than merely reactive accommodations. This session connects to the Seven Principles for A Culturally Responsive, Inclusive and Anti-Racist Curriculum, specifically embodied learning and equitable assessment, at John Jay College and serves as a call to action for the institution to bolster its efforts in expanding quiet, low-sensory spaces on campus, enhancing faculty training, and identifying further opportunities to strengthen culturally responsive, equitable practices.

AI as a Facilitator of Research for Social Justice (ZOOM)

Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Presenter: Jacob Adler

Abstract: Academic research often requires students to make inferences between disparate concepts or subjects in order to illustrate their points. Social justice, in a way, is predicated on this notion: making connections between long-held beliefs or standards and reexamined ideas of society, so as to re-frame them in a more equitable way. Generative AI tools have the potential to facilitate this practice, as they are by nature aggregators which connect millions of points of unrelated data to form conclusions. This presentation will demonstrate the ways in which AI can help educators and their students link academic research concepts together with an eye towards social justice, and how this in turn can be a platform for further research.

Human Social Interaction in Teaching and Learning in the College Experience (ZOOM)

Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Presenter: Madhura Bandyopadhyay

Abstract: What role does human connection play in the college experience? How is human connection especially significant for marginalized and low-income student groups in college? Where and how are we feeling challenges while teaching and learning at John Jay a few years into the post-pandemic future? This workshop will focus on these questions on human interaction both in the context of in-person and online teaching and learning. Together we shall think through how we can maintain a human teaching presence and encourage student interaction and human effort in challenging times. We shall also discuss new opportunities that may have opened up for social interaction that we can make use of as teachers. The workshop will be interactive and discussion based and will depend on all participants to share their knowledge and experience on these issues.

Incorporating Career Readiness Skills into your Existing Syllabus (ZOOM)

Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Presenters: Sung-suk Violet Yu, Calvester Legister, Amie Macdonald

Abstract: By embracing a multidisciplinary approach, faculty participants will garner theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are directly applicable to their pedagogy and syllabi. Faculty participants will leave with actionable plans to revitalize their courses and contribute to student success in a dynamic workforce landscape. This session will show you how to embed career readiness skills into your existing syllabi, and will highlight the transformative potential of doing so for our students. Additionally, we will introduce student employment opportunity platforms offered by the John Jay Career Learning Lab – VMock and Handshake. 

 

Community Discussion 

Up for Debate? The College’s Mission and Values

An interactive discussion on what should or should not change

Time: 10:15 – 11:15 am

Location: Moot Court, NB 6.68

Presenters: Karol Mason, Christopher Shults, Allison Pease

 

Breakout Sessions 2 (the second and third sets of breakout sessions will all take place in person at the college: no recordings)

Fundraising for Social Justice with a New Federal Administration (IN PERSON)

Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Location: NB 1.63

Presenters: Anthony Carpi & Preeti Chauhan

Abstract: The November election will bring significant changes to the operation of the federal government in the coming four years. The Office for the Advancement of Research seeks to have an open conversation with faculty and staff to discuss fundraising opportunities and possible changes under the 2025 Trump Administration. It is likely that budgets and priorities will shift for the Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and Department of Justice. This conversation is aimed towards helping us understand potential changes and how to navigate the upcoming funding climate. We would like to have a candid conversation with faculty to help them strategize and problem solve for the coming 1-2 years. We will also discuss how OAR can assist with connections to fundraising.

Finding Your People: Anti-loneliness Pedagogy at John Jay (IN PERSON)

Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Location: NB 1.65

Presenters: Richard Haw and Caroline Reitz

Abstract: Education has risen to meet several new challenges recently—DEI and anti-racism perhaps most prominently—but problems remain. Even before entering their first college classroom, young people across the country feel more and more isolated, a condition exacerbated by the pandemic and social media, and furthered by online classes, where opportunities to meet classmates and develop social skills are limited. The problem stems from what the US surgeon general has called a national “epidemic of loneliness and isolation.” Colleges everywhere need to address this issue. The problems of isolation and disconnection fray the ties that support democracy, they deter development and professionalization, hinder student success and engagement, and they sustain structural inequities. Anti-loneliness pedagogy seeks to create a social fabric in our classrooms, putting students back in conversation with each other, creating safe and equitable spaces for dialogue and interaction. Anti-loneliness pedagogy uses the classroom as a way to address isolation and develop a set of practices build and reinforce community. Let’s begin this conversation at John Jay.

Make the Most of Your 75 Minutes (IN PERSON)

Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Location: NB 1.66

Presenter: Tomasita Ortiz

Abstract: How can we build lesson plans that engage all learners in one single session? Based on theory and research in cognitive psychology related to the science of learning, this workshop offers tips and even “formulas” for creating lesson plans that are student-centered, incorporate opportunities for co-creating with students, promote active learning, and appeal to different learners. Consider which of your lessons were most successful, which lessons didn’t meet your expectations, which concepts or learning objectives you want to reinvigorate, and let’s share strategies to energize classroom learning.

Fair Access to AI in the Classroom (IN PERSON)

Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Location: NB 1.67

Presenter: Hunter Johnson

Abstract: AI models are not created equal, and differential access to the best models may be an equity issue in classrooms. In this presentation we will share approaches for equipping each student in the classroom with access to the leading OpenAI model. Through the use of API keys, this can be done at a much lower cost than asking all students to pay an expensive subscription fee. Standardizing student access to AI also opens possibilities for overseeing and moderating AI use. We will demonstrate the use of specific tools such as OpenAI Playground and LLM CLI, as well as how to use John Jay servers for Jupyter sessions.

AI and the Research Paper: A View from the Library (IN PERSON)

Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Location: NB 1.69

Presenters: Marta Bladek & Jocelyn Castillo

Abstract: AI tools are transforming the work involved in a traditional end-of-term research project. Focusing on library resources, we’ll demonstrate some AI-powered tools that assist students in all stages of the research process, from brainstorming to citation formatting. A live demo of an AI research assistant integrated into a library database will showcase the potential and pitfalls of these tools. In light of these dramatic changes, we will invite faculty to share ideas for adapting research assignments so that they continue to foster discovery, creativity and critical thinking.

 

Lunch

Time: 12:30 – 1:15 pm

Location: Student Dining Hall West

 

Breakout Sessions 3 (the second and third sets of breakout sessions will all take place in person at the college: no recordings)

Research and Practice on Violence Reduction Efforts at John Jay’s Centers (IN PERSON)

Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Location: NB 1.63

Presenter: Anthony Carpi

Abstract: As Community safety and violence reduction are critical issues at the local, national, and international levels. In addition to the work of our faculty, many Centers at John Jay focus on these issues of national concern. Our Data Collaborative for Justice studies equity in justice enforcement, our Institute for Justice and Opportunity builds programs focused on reentry and reducing recidivism, our Research and Evaluation Center analyzes efforts to improve the impact and equity of justice systems, our National Network for Safe Communities focuses on violence intervention techniques and police/community relationships, and the Punishment to Public Health project looks at health impacts for those that are justice-involved and their families. This session will focus on the work that these entities are doing, discuss policy implications, and highlight upcoming work for the Spring. The goal is for faculty to understand each Center’s work, incorporate this work into the classroom (to the extent it is relevant), and identify opportunities for collaboration with students and the faculty.

The University Art Gallery as Classroom (IN PERSON)

Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Location: NB 1.65

Presenter: Macushla Robinson

Abstract: In this session, we will look at several examples of classes engaging with the gallery space, from curator-led tours and material exercises in the space to mentored student-led curatorial initiatives that resulted in exhibitions, public programs, and publications. We will consider success stories along with (equally instructive) moments of friction in the gallery-as-classroom. The University Art Gallery is a cross-disciplinary classroom. Contemporary artists reflect on a vast array of social, political, racial, gender, economic and other questions of justice in their work. The material and visual aspects of art can provide embodied and collaborative ways of learning. The work of art has the potential to broach complex questions with aesthetic strategies that render difficult topics salient through an experiential lens; an exhibition presents ideas in ways that a text assigned in a classroom structure cannot, and complements reading-intensive curricula with encounters of a material, sensate kind.

Death by Power Point – Supporting Visual Learners While Maintaining a Student-centered Learning Environment (IN PERSON)

Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Location: NB 1.66

Presenter: Heath Grant

Abstract: A walk through the halls past classrooms will likely reveal many students passively listening (or pretending to) a professor droning quickly through the many Power Point slides that he/she intends to get through. While it is clear that this is not effective learning, this presentation argues that Power Point can get a bad rap. Through both demonstrations and facilitated discussion, this session argues that there is an important role in Power Point to meet the needs of many visual learners. Practical tips and demonstrations will highlight pedagogical techniques to make Power Point student-centered and engaging in both in person and online forums.

Supercharge Your Academic Research with AI: Primo’s Research Assistant and Scite (IN PERSON)

Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Location: NB 1.69

Presenter: Ignacio Sanchez

Abstract: Imagine having a research assistant available 24/7 to help you find the most relevant and reliable sources for your assignments. Fortunately, several tools exist to enhance your critical research skills. AI-powered resources like Primo’s Research Assistant and Scite can significantly improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of your research. These tools assist students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more informed consumers of information. Librarians and instructors can collaborate to effectively integrate AI into library and classroom instruction. This hands-on presentation, along with practice exercises, will provide an introduction to using AI tools as additional support for instructors and librarians in a student’s learning environment.