Convocation 2026
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 (Pre-Convocation)
9:00 - 12:00
Associate Faculty Orientation
hyflex: AT 103/4 & https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/85376830230
This orientation will cover key issues and resources that Associate Faculty have identified as areas in which more guidance is needed.
9:30-3:30
New Faculty Orientation
in person: CA 207
Welcome New Full-Time Faculty! Join us for a session designed to help you better understand your new role within the CR community. This interactive time together will include a comprehensive overview of institutional goals, faculty expectations, and key campus resources, while creating space for meaningful connection with your colleagues. In addition, we will host a lunch gathering with our esteemed administrators and take a short tour of the Eureka Campus.
1:00 - 1:50
What's New in Program Review?
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/81794476382
Dr. Amy Moffat, Colin Trujillo, Bob Brown, Jon Pace
Program Review is changing! This session provides an overview of the College's redesigned process, the revised Program Review cycle, updated timelines, and expectations for this year's implementation. Learn what your department will need to submit by the December 1 deadline, what resources and support are available, and how the new process is designed to make planning and reporting more meaningful, integrated, and useful.
Canvas 101: Introduction to Canvas
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/86750438957
Gustavo Vasquez
New to College of the Redwoods or not very familiar with Canvas? Learn the basics! This workshop will get you started with Canvas and all the ins and outs.
Participants will learn:
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- What is Canvas?
- How to access Canvas (MyCR & mobile apps)
- Navigating Canvas
- How to set up your course
- Canvas course integrations
- Canvas sandboxes
- Welcome Kits
- Questions & group discussion.
2:00 - 2:50
Teams Phone Training
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/81794476382
Donovan Miller, Mark Bernards
As part of our transition to Microsoft Teams Phone, all faculty and staff are invited to attend a training session on using the new phone system. The session will cover key features, including placing and transferring calls, managing voicemail, handling multiple lines, using Teams Phone on mobile devices, and best practices for a successful experience.
What's New in Canvas?
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/86750438957
Gustavo Vasquez & Dr. Lorraine Casazza
Come to this session to learn about some changes recently implemented in Canvas, including:
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- the shift to Microsoft Education;
- setting default fonts in the rich content editor;
- partial credit in Quizzes;
- the notebook feature for students;
- Proctorio integration; and
- cleaning up your navigation menu.
3:00 - 3:50
Refreshing Library Research & Information Literacy Instruction
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/81794476382
Susan Gehr & Ryan Keller
Participants will examine information literacy and library research topics that have changed in recent years. Librarians Susan Gehr & Ryan Keller will facilitate discussions on the role of scholarly articles, effective strategies for credible source selection and citation, and what’s been changing in the realm of scholarly publishing.
Rumi How To
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/86750438957
Dr. Lorraine Casazza
Rumi is CR's new-ish AI-management tool, fully integrated into Canvas, that allows teachers to set the level of AI-use students can employ when completing an assignment (no use of AI, limited use of AI, or unlimited use of AI) on a per-assignment basis AND allows teachers to track students' use of AI in a way that incorporates instructors' judgement. Come to this session to learn how to use it to set up assignments for your students, how to activate its various powerful options, and how to use the data it provides to track students’ use of AI.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
8:30 - 9:00
Check in & Coffee
Outside Theater main entrance
9:00 - 12:00
Convocation General Session
hyflex: Theater & go to CR's YouTube Channel to livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@collegeoftheredwoods350
Welcome Address with Dr. Keith Flamer
Employee Recognition and Awards
Keynote: Looking Forward to the Future Together
Join Deans Jessica Howard, Rory Johnson, Dr. Alan Price, and Dr. Rebecca Robertson as they highlight institutional priorities, share updates on key initiatives and emerging opportunities, and invite the college community to move forward together with a shared vision for the future of College of the Redwoods.
12:00 - 1:00
Lunch provided by the CR Cafe
outside the Cafe
1:00 - 1:50
Intro to CourseDog
in person: CA 206
Dr. George Potamianos & Cameron Papp
As we all know, eLumen has gone away and has been replaced by Coursedog, which is brand new to the college starting in fall 2026. This session will introduce everyone to the basics of Coursedog and how it functions as a tool for course and program outlines. This will be a basic, introductory session. More Coursedog sessions will be scheduled throughout the year in order to familiarize everyone on campus with the new tool.
Meeting Student Where They Are: Supporting Basic Needs at CR
in person: CA 207
Stephanie Freyermuth & Bob Brown
Student success depends on more than academics. This session will provide an overview of the Basic Needs and Wellness supports available at College of the Redwoods, including food access, clothing resources, health and wellness coaching, virtual medical and mental health services, crisis and sexual assault support, housing assistance, and emergency grants. Learn how to identify student needs and connect them to the right resources to foster well-being, retention, and success.
Spring 2026 Online Learning Student Survey Results
in person: CA 208
Leigh Dooley
Every year, Redwoods Online conducts a student survey, and gets an excellent response rate! At this session, we'll review Spring 2026 survey results on modality choices, satisfaction, success factors, technology use, and AI perceptions from all students, not just online learners. And we can make some comparisons to changes in student preferences and behaviors over time.
2:00 - 3:20
Annual Curriculum Training
in person: CA 208
Dr. George Potamianos & Cameron Papp
This is the annual training for everyone at the college who plays a role in approving curriculum. It is required training so that the college can retain its privileges to approve curriculum locally.
Panel Discussion: Highlighting Voices of Students with Disabilities
in person: Theater
Andrew Nichols & Wendy Riggs (Moderators)
This session will feature direct dialogue with students with disabilities about their lived experiences as students at CR. Our diverse group of panelists represent a broad cross section of CR students who will reflect on their college experiences, and what they wish CR staff and faculty knew about their challenges and successes. Join us and gain insight into the supports, barriers, and institutional practices that meaningfully impact success and belonging. This session is intended to leave the audience with a greater understanding of the experiences of CR students, as well as provide actionable strategies to foster a more inclusive campus and classroom environments that better support all students.
3:30 - 6:00
Welcome Back Mixer in the Botanical Garden
in person: Humboldt Botanical Garden
The beautiful Humboldt Botanical Garden is right here, but most of us seldom take the time to enjoy it! Celebrate the beginning of the academic year outdoors and in company with one another. Enjoy lovely flora, delicious appetizers and drinks, and awesome live music with local pop band Almost Dangerous and Taiko adept Gary Ronne.
Morrigan Burke will be taking headshots in the garden for those who would like to update their image.
Friday, August 21, 2026
9:00 - 9:50
Culture, Society, & Communication Division Meeting
hyflex: CA 300 & https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/88226296900?pwd=WwNocDnUXyitBa6ypa8GbXXyahUnL6.1
Nursing & Healthcare Occupations Division Meeting
hyflex: AT 103/4 & https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/4443008236
Science, Math, Climate, & Conservation Division Meeting
hyflex: HU 129 & https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/86019026217
Energy, Entrepreneurship, Skilled Trades, & Technology Division Meeting
hyflex: HU 218 & https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/82883382109?pwd=h5rkZoNVVnKba2qkabIw2eeHsHvbYm.1
10:00 - 10:50
There's a High School on Our Campus?
in person: CA 208
Ginny Wozny (of Academy of the Redwoods)
Academy of the Redwoods is a middle college high school located on the CR Eureka campus since 2005. This session is a quick FAQ about the program with a student panel ready to answer your questions.
Using Adobe Sign in the Classroom
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/86750438957
Gustavo Vasquez
Stop by to this session to learn more about Adobe Sign and to get most of the tool. This session will introduce users to the Adobe sign interface and how to build, as well as send a form for signature electronically. Additionally, users will be introduced to web forms and how they can create an accessible form that anyone can access with a hyperlink – creating new workflows outside of Canvas and other instructional tools. Please note that to have access and send out forms for signature, users must submit a ticket to IT requesting access to Adobe Sign.
Working with SASS: Improving Everyone's Experience around Student Accommodations
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/86178867272
Kate Eilers & Evan Hatfield; host: Stacy Brown
Join SASS for this interactive session to ask questions, provide feedback, get clarity on how SASS and faculty can work collaboratively to improve the accommodation process, and share ideas about how to improve the experience for all. Kate Eilers (faculty Counselor and Learning Disability Specialist) and Evan Hatfield (staff Instructional Support Specialist for Digital Accessibility) will be co-hosting this session to talk accommodations and support SASS’s ongoing mission to improve the experience and communication around student accommodations.
11:00 - 12:20
Writing Good Survey Questions
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/88173358692
Tim Wolcott
Writing effective survey questions is key to creating surveys that are clear, focused, and easy for people to complete. This session will center on the fundamentals of strong survey question design, including how to write clear, unbiased questions, choose appropriate question types, and avoid common pitfalls that can lead to confusion or poor-quality responses. Participants will review practical examples and general “do’s and don’ts” to help improve the quality of their surveys. This session is designed for anyone who creates surveys and wants to strengthen their approach.
AI Watch Party: Teaching to Connect
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/85871654698
Leigh Dooley (facilitator)
Together, we'll watch a video presentation by Fabiola Torres, Professor of Ethnic Studies & CCCCO AI Fellow from Glendale CC and Rodrigo Gomez, English Facutly, Academic Senate President, & CCCCO AI Changemaker from Miramar College entitled Teaching to Connect: Relational Design and Human-first Frameworks for the AI Classroom. It focuses on concrete suggestions for redesigning assignments and approaches to center human connection and discourage AI use and proposes an ethical AI use framework. Watching it together allows us to reflect and discuss in community with one another.
What's Up wtih the OCC?
in person hike & talk: meet in Science/Humanties Quad
Maria Morrow, Jackie Patmore, & Valerie Elder
The Outdoor Campus Collaborative involves CR students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members getting together to engage with and learn in our outdoor spaces. We took a little hiatus while we adjusted to sabbaticals and retirements. We are getting back after it and would love to let you know how to get involved and hear your ideas. Let's take a walk around campus and look at some past and ongoing OCC projects while we do it.
CRDN Team Boosting: Writing & Walking Together
in person walk: meet in Taa-'at-dvn Chee-ne' Tetlh-tvm' Crescent City Food Forest, next to the Del Norte campus, under the pergola
Ashley Knowlton & Erica Silver
This is a team-boosting flex session at our adjoining Taa-'at-dvn Chee-ne' Tetlh-tvm' Crescent City Food Forest that invites colleagues across all disciplines and roles at CRDN. Erica will start by facilitating the practice of Shinrin Yoku, Japanese forest bathing, bringing attention to restoration. Then, Ashley will facilitate a creative writing activity, inviting folks to transfer their sensory experiences to paper. After, we will open a dialogue that brings our focus to others’ noticings. By forging a relationship between nature and creativity, we hope to foster a positive relationship between colleagues, setting the tone for a new year.
12:30-1:00
Break for lunch (on your own)
In addition to the Cafe, The Food Lab will be open 11:00 - 2:00.
1:00 - 2:20
Administering Quizzes with Proctorio
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/86750438957
Gustavo Vasquez
CR is now providing supporting Proctorio, a remote proctoring system. Learn how to set up Proctorio in your Canvas course with Classic and New Quizzes; learn how to configure and setup your first quiz; and learn about the review center and how to interpret any alerts and notifications that are generated. Please not that Proctorio is not a required tool. Faculty members can continue to adminster their exams without Proctorio. Proctorio is not a required tool. Faculty members can continue to administer their exams without Proctorio.
AI Strategy Sharing Session
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/85871654698
Bernadette Johnson (facilitator)
The AI Era is certainly presenting educators with challenges! If you're thinking about the effects of cognitive offloading on your students, considering how to ensure your students are prepared for an AI-infused future, and/or pondering how to assess your students' actual learning, this session is for you! Together, we will share strategies that we've tried and discuss how well they worked (or didn't). This is an increasingly complex problem which will require multiple solutions, and those solutions will likely vary by discipline and learning objective. Let's support each other and navigate the AI maze together.
1:15 - 3:15
Academic Senate Orientation & Meeting
hyflex: boardroom & https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/86727975287
Wendy Riggs & Jennifer Burlison
Curious about how Senate works? Join us for our first meeting of the year. (Required for Senators!)
2:30 - 3:50
Overview of ConexEd Early Alerts
zoom: https://redwoods-edu.zoom.us/j/86750438957
Sheila Hall & Gustavo Vasquez
Learn about ConexEd Early Alerts and how to submit an early alert for students in your class falling behind or needing further assistance. Learn the difference from BIT and how to support your students with Student Support Services.
Outcomes Assessment Training
in person: CA 206
Jon Pace
Faculty will learn to use Insights in Canvas to perform assessment of course learning outcomes. We will begin by creating course assignments in Canvas and then aligning these assignments to the course's learning outcomes using rubrics. Faculty will learn how to use Insights to view assessment results and keep a running narrative of reflection on student achievement of course learning outcomes and strategize for improvement.