Join colleagues from across campus for the Essential Education Symposium, a day dedicated to sharing ideas, exploring innovative teaching practices, and strengthening Michigan Tech’s Essential Education program. The Symposium will be held on Wednesday, April 29, and the schedule features interactive workshops, faculty panels, and collaborative discussions focused on topics such as student reflection, community engagement, AI in teaching and learning, and the use of Husky Folio to document student growth.
Whether you are new to Essential Education or actively teaching within the program, the Symposium offers space to learn from one another and contribute to the continued evolution of undergraduate education at Michigan Tech.
Symposium Schedule
Check out the 2026 Essential Education Symposium list of sessions:
Symposium Registration Open
Get checked in and enjoy coffee and light snacks before the opening remarks.
Location: Memorial Union Building (MUB) Ballroom A
Opening Remarks
Location: MUB Ballroom A
Presenters: Dr. Andrew Storer, Provost and Dr. Marika Seigel, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education (APUE)
Description: Start the day with opening remarks from Provost Andrew Storer. He will be joined by Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Marika Seigel, who leads Michigan Tech’s Essential Education efforts, for a recap of the program’s first year.
Session A - Workshop
Title: Teaching Squares: Peer Feedback for Instructors of Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 Math, Science, and Foundations Courses
Location: Rekhi G006
Presenters: Mike Meyer, Physics; Steven Holloway, Business; and Jean DeClerck, Office of Assessment for Curricular Effectiveness
Description: This Teaching Squares session is for instructors submitting reports this semester for their Lower-Level Math, Science, and Foundations courses. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their submitted report (containing assessment findings and future plans for one Essential Ability) and explore strategies for engagement, assessment, HuskyFolio use, and student reflection. (Please note: Registration is required in advance for this session.)
Session B - Workshop
Title: Shark Tank: Pitching Essential Education Like You Mean It
Location: MUB Alumni Lounge
Presenter: Travis Wakeham, Biological Sciences and Maria Bergstrom, Humanities
Description: Essential Education changes students' lives — but only if we can help them see it. Join us for an interactive session where we'll sharpen our messaging together and compete (in the friendliest way possible) to craft pitches that connect Essential Education and ePortfolio to what students actually care about.
Session C - Panel
Title: Learning Together: Community Partnerships in Action
Location: MUB Ballroom B2&3
Moderator: Cassandra Reed-VanDam, APUE
Panelists: Angie Carter, Social Sciences; Kari Henquinet, Social Sciences; Kelly Kamm, KIP; Amber Kraft, Keweenaw National Historical Park; Robin Meneguzzo, Keweenaw Community Foundation; Emily Shaw, KBIC Natural Resources Department and PLDL Seed Library
Description: Join Michigan Tech faculty and local community partners for a panel discussion about best practices for community-engaged research and learning. Panelists will reflect on shared successes, challenges, and lessons learned in engaging in this work and will offer guidance to attendees interested in building community partnerships.
Session A - Panel
Title: Husky Folio Made Easy: Real Assignments, Real Students, Real Simple
Location: Rekhi G005
Moderator: AJ Hamlin, Engineering Fundamentals
Panelists: Jenny Apriesnig, Business; Mark Lounibos, Humanities; Michael Meyer, Physics; Bree Carlson, KIP; and Marika Seigel, APUE
Description: Struggling to fit the Husky Folio requirement into your course? Skip the guesswork and join us for a showcase of assignment models from across campus, ranging from "keep it simple" assignments to sophisticated workbooks. You’ll hear directly from faculty about their honest experiences, challenges, and successes in incorporating Husky Folio into their classes.
Session B - Workshop
Title: AI In/Action: Making Purposeful Pedagogical Choices
Location: MUB Alumni Lounge
Presenters: Holly Hassel, Humanities and Trish Grosse-Brewer, Humanities
Description: In this workshop, participants will learn about Generative AI technologies that can be used for classroom purposes; they will have an opportunity to engage in cross-disciplinary pedagogical exchanges and brainstorm GenAI enhancements to an assignment of their choice. Participants will adapt their assignment in ways that account for various student perspectives on GenAI by user-testing it in small and large groups with the goal of advancing student learning and skill development. Participants should plan to bring a device that will allow them to access GenAI during the session.
Session C - Workshop
Title: Leveraging Technology to Summarize Feedback and Prioritize Changes
Location: Rekhi G006
Presenters: Teresa Woods, Math and Ann Hardin, Business
Description: Using student feedback and performance indicators to improve instruction can feel like a daunting task. This workshop explores how technology can help instructors aggregate large amounts of data to identify opportunities for impactful change. Participants should plan to bring a laptop to this session.
Networking Lunch
Location: MUB Ballroom A
Description: Enjoy a catered lunch and time for networking with fellow colleagues.
Course List Breakout Discussions
Join instructors teaching from the same Essential Ed course list to share resources, best practices, and tips. Discussions will be facilitated by the Course List Teams.
Experience Courses: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Location: Fisher 130
Presenters: Richelle Winkler, Social Sciences; Matt Seigel, Humanities; and Stefka Hirstova, Humanities
Description: Join Experience course instructors for lightning talks and small group discussions on running a study abroad program, starting collaborations with community partners, and designing Experience courses that leverage campus-based student opportunities.
Refreshed Content, Shared Purpose: Michigan Tech Seminar instructors
Location: Fisher 125
Presenters: Matt Barron, Engineering Fundamentals; Maria Bergstrom, Humanities; and AJ Hamlin, Engineering. Fundamentals
Description: Instructors teaching courses that count as Michigan Tech Seminars will get a “sneak peek” at our newly revised modules and instructor resources. Join us to share what you learned last year and start your planning now for fall.
C + CI Writing Factory: From Mechanics to Meaning
Location: Fisher 127
Presenters: Jennifer Nish, Humanities; Jonathan Robins, Social Sciences; and Holly Hassel, Humanities
Description: This session will share insights from workshops for Composition and Communication-Intensive courses, including the “Communication-Intensive Pedagogy Workshop” and “Giving Effective Feedback” workshop. Instructors will have opportunities to share successes from the C-I courses and talk about how to help student writers navigate what E. Shelley Reid has called “writing problems."
Questioning Assumptions: What does that mean in STEM?
Location: Rekhi G006
Presenters: Thomas Werner, Biological Sciences; Nick Folcik, Physics; Chad Deering, Geological & Mining Engineering and Sciences; and CLT facilitators
Description: Instructors teaching courses on the Math, Science, and/or STEM lists have a unique opportunity to help students understand how we study the natural and physical world. In this session, we will explore various interpretations of the "Question Assumptions" Essential Ability (EA), hear from several instructors about their experience in the last year, and review several customized rubric versions to gain different perspectives on assessing this EA.
Mastering “Welcome Challenge” in Activity Courses
Location: Fisher 132
Presenters: Katy Ellenich, Humanities; Craig Pellizzaro, PE/KIP; Christopher Plummer, VPA; Jennifer Wall, CSMHWB; Veronica Horning, and CLT Facilitators
Description: Discover how faculty across the four Well-being and Success Activity areas are bringing the Welcome Challenge Essential Ability to life. This session will begin with a showcase of assignments, rubrics, and Husky Folio prompts used in Physical Well-being, Creative Expression, Success, and Mental/Emotional Well-being courses. We will then split into groups to further explore how to support Welcome Challenge in each of the Activity Course areas.
The Many Shapes of SHAPE Courses
Location: Rekhi G005
Presenters: Betsy Lehman, Psychology and Human Factors; Leeann Youn, Social Sciences; Lindsey Heiden, VPA; Mark Lounibos, Humanities
Description: The Arts & Culture, Intercultural Competency, SHAPE, and Foundations Course Lists will hold a joint session giving a panel of faculty in the disciplines an opportunity to show how they have approached implementing the wide array of applicable Essential Abilities in their courses. We will then hold a Q&A session with the presenting faculty to help stimulate ideas for next year’s full rollout of Essential Education.
Session A - Workshop
Title: Reflection and Metacognition: Tools To Enhance Learning
Location: Alumni Lounge
Presenters: Claire Helakoski, Humanities and Jennifer Miller, Construction Management
Description: Discuss what reflection and metacognition look like in your field and learn how to apply these tools in class assignments in order to enhance student learning for stronger critical thinking, the ability to make connections, and personal growth. This session will involve group discussion and activities for small-scale assignments aimed towards building reflection practices and amplifying ways professionals already use these skills in their daily work.
Session B - Workshop
Title: From Classroom to CV: Documenting and Sharing Your Essential Ed Teaching Story
Location: MUB Ballroom A
Presenters: Teresa Woods, Math; Robyn Johnson, Provost’s Office; and Maria Bergstrom, Humanities
Description: Explore practical strategies for capturing your Essential Ed teaching innovations and assessment work in Digital Measures and beyond. Learn how to translate your course development, student reflection, and ePortfolio efforts into CV entries, conference presentations, publications, and other professional opportunities that showcase your impact. The session will include time for guided ideation to help participants make concrete plans.
Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop to access their Digital Measures record.
Session C - Panel
Title: In Their Own Words: Student Perspectives on Essential Education
Location: MUB Ballroom B2&3
Moderator: Steve Patchin, APUE
Panelists: Current Michigan Tech Students
Description: Hear directly from students navigating Essential Education as they share candid reflections on their experiences in the First-Year Seminar, ePortfolio platform, and community-engaged courses. This panel offers faculty and staff a rare opportunity to listen, engage, and ask questions of the students themselves—celebrating the program through the voices that matter most.
Closing Remarks and Recognition
Location: MUB Ballroom A
Presenter: Dr. Marika Seigel, APUE
Description: A wrap-up of the day will include lessons learned from our first year of Essential Education and what we have to look forward to next year. There will also be recognition of those who have been exemplars of Essential Education.
Questions? Please email essentialed@mtu.edu for more information.
Husky Folio Launchpad: From Dashboard to Delivery
Following the Essential Ed Symposium, we will host Husky Folio Launchpad to help you build practical, course-ready materials with guidance and support.
Integrating Husky Folio into your course doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
Join us on Thursday, April 30, for this supportive, hands-on workshop where you can explore the tools, ask questions, and start building at your own pace. With a mix of targeted morning sessions and an open, guided implementation studio in the afternoon, you can choose the experience that fits your needs—and leave with practical progress you can use right away.