Inclusive Excellence Symposium

10:00AM – SU 218A
Moderated by Dr. Deshawn Chapman; Panelists: Elizabeth Grace, Dr. Ross Wolf, Dr. L. Trento Marsh
UCF’s presence in the historic Parramore community creates opportunities for deep collaboration, but how can we ensure that our engagement is not only impactful but also genuinely welcomed and valued by those who call the community home? This session will share the evolving relationship between the UCF/Valencia Downtown campus and the Parramore community, highlighting intentional strategies for building trust, co-creating solutions, and addressing community needs with dignity and respect. Come to engage in dialogue about shifting from transactional interactions to transformative partnerships that amplify the voices and expertise of community members that fosters long-term impact and mutual growth.

10:00AM and 2:00PM – SU Pegasus Ballroom ABC
Presented by Dr. Haley Winston
Rooms of Reality is an interactive event designed to challenge participants’ perceptions of pressing social issues through immersive, hands-on experiences. This year’s event features three themed rooms: the Mental Health Room, where participants engage in a group task while experiencing simulated challenges that reflect the impact of mental health conditions on daily life; the Groupthink Room, which explores the pressures of conformity and decision-making, incorporating social media influences to demonstrate how online environments shape opinions and behaviors; and the Reflection Room, a space for guided discussion and emotional processing, helping participants connect their experiences to real-world issues and consider meaningful action. Through these immersive scenarios, Rooms of Reality aims to deepen understanding of mental health, social influence, and collective decision-making, fostering critical reflection and inspiring change.

10:00AM – SU 218D
Presented by Natalie Madruga
The myth of linguistic homogeneity is a phrase that refers to the negotiation of understanding communication that occurs between individuals, communities, and audiences. Oftentimes if we are presenting information in a classroom like setting, we work from the assumption that our audience members, or students, are working from the same level of understanding of the language that’s being fore fronted in the room. Considering that UCF’s surrounding metropolitan area’s population is approximately 40% (or higher)  multilingual, working from the linguistic homogeneity assumption does not accurately consider the audience members in our classrooms. This session will focus on language diversity in the classroom. It will begin by introducing milestone moments of incorporating language diversity, and provide participants to both discuss and reflect on what language diversity could be like in their prospective classes and disciplines.

10:00AM and 2:00PM – SU 221
Presented by Dr. Terri Daly and Dr. Adam Meyer
With the term neurodiverse being more frequently used by students, it is important for UCF stakeholders to understand what the concept means. This session will highlight the fundamentals of neurodiversity and provide guidance for how faculty and staff can work with this population of students.

10:00AM – SU 224
Presented by Dr. Olga Bedoya Arturo , Dr. Wendy Howard, Dr. Estrella Rodriguez, Oliver McSurley and Michelle Dusseau
In our increasingly complex and interconnected world, global experiences and cultural exchanges are not just beneficial; they are transformational. These opportunities empower students to cultivate the essential skills that will shape the next generation of leaders. In this session, we will uncover diverse strategies to enrich the curriculum, elevate the classroom experience, and foster student growth. Our aim is to ignite participants’ creativity and inspire them to seize the exciting opportunities available through UCF Global, ultimately expanding their horizons and enhancing their potential for success.

2:00PM – SU 218A
Presented by UCF Students
This panel discussion will provide UCF faculty and staff with insights into students’ experiences in online and mixed-mode courses, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in digital learning. Participants will hear firsthand accounts of how students navigate virtual classrooms, build connections, and manage their academic success in these environments. The session will offer valuable perspectives to inform strategies for enhancing student engagement, support, and overall success in online and hybrid education at UCF.

2:00PM – SU 224
Presented by Mike Kepner
In theory, veterans of the United States Armed Forces are revered, celebrated, and hailed as heroes. In practice however, veterans often face lazy stereotypes and damaging misconceptions in spaces ranging from the college classroom to the corporate boardroom. These misconceptions undermine understanding of who veterans are, what they need, and the unique value they bring to the classroom.
Through discussion and a student veteran panel, this session will introduce participants to Veteran Critical Theory (CVT), a framework that examines these issues, and provides practical strategies to dispel harmful typecasting, build stronger cultures of support, and foster a more nuanced understanding of the diverse student veteran population.

2:00PM – SU 218D
Presented by Melissa Tony Stires
This workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of crafting effective prompts, enabling them to harness the full potential of generative AI tools. Attendees will learn practical techniques to guide AI models in producing desired outputs, enhancing both teaching and administrative tasks. The session will explore real-world applications of AI in education, including ways to streamline workflows, generate creative content, and support student learning. Participants will also gain insights into common pitfalls and best practices for prompt engineering to ensure accurate and meaningful AI-generated responses. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to refine your skills, this session will provide hands-on strategies to integrate AI effectively into your work.