Student Success Symposium | Montgomery College, Maryland

Welcome to the Spring 2026 Semester!

As we begin a new semester, CTL invites you to join us for a week of flexible, practice-focused professional learning designed to support your teaching, your students, and your ongoing growth at MC.

This year’s Student Success Symposium offers sessions that connect directly to the work you do every day, preparing courses, designing accessible learning experiences, navigating classroom conversations, engaging students, and applying tools that support student success. With options offered across campuses and modalities, you can choose the sessions that fit your goals, schedule, and teaching context.

Professional Learning Sessions are intentionally designed with accessibility in mind and offer multiple ways to participate, whether you prefer hands-on, in-person workshops or virtual sessions you can join from wherever you are.

Every session is intentionally aligned with the Academic Master Plan new window and the MC Strategic Plan new window, ensuring that your participation contributes to our shared vision for teaching, learning, and student success.

Whether you are refining a syllabus, exploring new instructional strategies, strengthening classroom dialogue, or looking for practical tools you can use right away, the Student Success Symposium is an opportunity to learn with colleagues, gain fresh ideas, and start the semester with confidence.

Please note: Professional Learning Sessions are encouraged but not required.

Professional Learning Schedule

Tuesday, January 20 | Focus: Teaching Tools, Accessibility, and Course Readiness

How to Use Online Proctoring: Intro to Honorlock
9:00–10:30 AM, In-Person, Rockville
Facilitator: Asim Khan, Honorlock Manager

Honorlock is our new online proctoring vendor. This new platform is available for academic and Math placement testing. This Honorlock in-person session will train MC faculty and staff on main features such as exam submission, scheduling accommodations, and review recordings from on-line sessions.

Prompt Crafting AI Bootcamp
9:00–10:30 AM, In-Person, Germantown, BE 160
Facilitator: Ketsia Masse

This interactive bootcamp guides faculty through writing effective prompts for AI tools to generate instructional content, quiz questions, or summaries. Participants leave with a resource bank of tested prompts.

Accessibility 101: CLEAR Framework
9:30–10:30 AM, In-Person, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, CM 112
Facilitator: Megan Calvert

This session introduces the CLEAR Framework, a practical approach developed at Montgomery College to help faculty design accessible, inclusive courses that meet ADA Title II and WCAG requirements. Participants will learn concrete strategies they can apply immediately to reduce barriers, support diverse learners, and build accessibility into everyday teaching practice.

Blackboard Ultra Data Analytics
10:30–11:30 AM, In-Person, Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Facilitators: Tom Cantu (Germantown), Dr. Paul Miller (Rockville), Philip Bonner (Takoma Park/Silver Spring)

This session introduces Blackboard Ultra analytics tools for monitoring student engagement, participation, and performance. Faculty learn how to interpret data and use insights to inform instructional decisions and early interventions.

Register for Workshop at Germantown new window| Register for Workshop at Rockville new window | Register for Workshop at Takoma Park/Silver Spring new window

How to Use Online Proctoring: Intro to Honorlock
11:30 AM–1:00 PM, In-person, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, CM 211
Facilitator: Asim Khan, Honorlock Manager

Prompt Crafting AI Bootcamp
11:30 AM–1:00 PM, In-person, Rockville, HU 133
Facilitator: Dr. Angela Lanier

Accessibility 101: CLEAR Framework
11:30 AM–12:30 PM, In-Person, Germantown, BE 160
Facilitator: Ketsia Masse

Blackboard Course Management and Accessibility Open Lab
1:30–3:00 PM | In-person, Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Facilitators: Tom Cantu (Germantown), Gloria Barron (Rockville), Philip Bonner (Takoma Park/Silver Spring)

This open lab provides hands-on support for managing Blackboard Ultra courses, including course setup, navigation, grading tools, and accessibility features.

Register for Workshop at Germantown new window | Register for Workshop at Rockville new window | Register for Workshop at Takoma Park/Silver Spring new window

How to Use Online Proctoring: Intro to Honorlock
2:30–4:00 PM, In-Person, Germantown, BE 151
Facilitator: Asim Khan, Honorlock Manager

Prompt Crafting AI Bootcamp
2:30–4:00 PM, In-Person, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, LB 221
Facilitator: Megan Calvert

Accessibility 101: CLEAR Framework
2:30–3:30 PM, In-Person, Rockville
Facilitator: Dr. Angela Lanier

Inclusive Syllabus: Designing for Accessibility and Belonging
3:00–4:00 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Gloria Barron

This session supports faculty in revising syllabus language to promote accessibility, inclusion, and belonging. Participants review examples and leave with draft syllabus language and an action plan.

AI + UDL: Creating Adaptive Course Materials
4:00–5:00 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Tom Cantu

This workshop explores how AI tools can be used alongside Universal Design for Learning principles to create flexible, inclusive course materials.

Wednesday, January 21

Navigating Difficult Dialogues in the Classroom
3:45–4:45 PM, In-person and Virtual
Facilitators: Ketsia Masse (Germantown), Dr. Angela Lanier & Dr. Laurent Ndeze (Rockville), Megan Calvert (Takoma Park/Silver Spring), Gloria Barron (Virtual)

Faculty explore strategies for facilitating respectful, productive discussions around complex or controversial topics, including sample language and classroom norms.

Register for Workshop at Germantown new window | Register for Workshop at Rockville new window | Register for Workshop at Takoma Park/Silver Spring new window

Blackboard Accessibility Open Lab
6:00–7:30 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Dr. Paul Miller

This open lab provides hands-on support for improving the accessibility of course materials within Blackboard, including documents, media, and course structure. Faculty are encouraged to bring their own courses and questions for individualized guidance and practical, just-in-time support.

Thursday, January 22 | Focus: Equity, Engagement, and Digital Access

Starfish Open Lab: Drop-in Support and Collaboration
11:30 AM–1:00 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Julie Levinson

Whether you are new to Starfish or an experienced user, this open lab provides drop-in support for questions, troubleshooting, and collaborative learning.

Digital Equity in Distance Education
12:30–1:30 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Tia Roebuck

This session examines the digital divide and what faculty can do to promote equitable access to technology and learning. Participants will discuss low-bandwidth design, alternative assignments, and inclusive communication strategies.

Design Thinking Activities that Inspire Curiosity
2:00–3:00 PM, In-person, Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Facilitators: Tom Cantu (Germantown), Gloria Barron (Rockville), Philip Bonner (Takoma Park/Silver Spring)

This session introduces design thinking strategies to spark curiosity and engagement through creative problem-solving activities adaptable across disciplines.

Register for Workshop at Germantown new window | Register for Workshop at Rockville new window | Register for Workshop at Takoma Park/Silver Spring new window

Service Learning for Any Discipline
3:00–4:00 PM, In-person, Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Facilitators: Ketsia Masse (Germantown), Dr. Angela Lanier (Rockville), Megan Calvert (Takoma Park/Silver Spring)

Faculty learn how to integrate service learning into courses across disciplines, with examples, planning tools, and community engagement strategies.

Register for Workshop at Germantown new window | Register for Workshop at Rockville new window | Register for Workshop at Takoma Park/Silver Spring new window

Blackboard Ally Open Lab
4:00–5:30 PM, Virtual
Facilitators: Anna Donohoe, Dr. Paul Miller

This open lab introduces Blackboard Ally and provides hands-on guidance for improving the accessibility of course materials using Ally’s tools and reports.

Prompt Crafting AI Bootcamp
6:00–7:30 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Dr. Paul Miller

Friday, January 23 | Focus: Support, Coaching, and Applied Learning

Starfish Open Lab: Drop-in Support and Collaboration
11:00 AM–12:30 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Julie Levinson

Whether you are new to Starfish or an experienced user, this open lab provides drop-in support for questions, troubleshooting, and collaborative learning.

Blackboard Ally Open Lab
11:00 AM–12:30 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Anna Donohoe

This open lab introduces Blackboard Ally and provides hands-on guidance for improving the accessibility of course materials using Ally’s tools and reports.

Online Quality Simplified: L.E.C.T. Competencies in Action
11:00 AM–12:00 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Tia Roebuck

Montgomery College’s LECT Competencies provide a clear framework for designing and delivering high-quality online courses. But what do these competencies mean in practice? In this session, participants will explore the LECT standards, learn how they align with best practices in online education, and discover practical strategies for applying them to course design and teaching.

Emotional Intelligence for Teaching Presence
1:00–2:00 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Dr. Angela Lanier

This session focuses on emotional intelligence strategies that strengthen teaching presence, student connection, and classroom climate.

Empowering Neurodiverse Learners
2:15–3:15 PM, Virtual
Facilitator: Philip Bonner

This session explores inclusive teaching strategies and tools that support neurodiverse learners through flexible design and accessible practices.

Special Event Sessions

Friday, January 23

MC CARES Network: Holistic Advising
10:00–11:00 AM, Remote via Zoom
Facilitator(s): TBD

Join us for an engaging panel discussion that brings the MC CARES Network to life through the voices of those focusing on holistic advising—a Counseling Faculty member, a Program Advisor, and an ATPA Success Coach. This trio will share how a holistic advising team can transform the student experience through a coordinated, relationship-driven approach to advising and support.

Caring, Advising, Relationships, Engagement, and Support aren't just words, but a call to action. Panelists will highlight how cross-functional teamwork and shared tools like Starfish are breaking down silos, strengthening student connections, and building a culture of proactive, personalized care.

ATPA Coaches Institute
9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Virtual
Facilitator: TBD

Last Updated: 1/14/2026