Summer Institute for Teaching and Learning

The Center for Teaching and Learning’s 4th Annual Summer Institute for Teaching and Learning will take place May 13-15, 2026.

The Summer Institute is a celebration of teaching and learning at RIT—a time for faculty to come together to share ideas, discuss challenges, and inspire one another across a wide range of teaching and learning topics.

Join your colleagues for three days of faculty-led sessions, workshops, and panels, plus a reception, raffle prizes, catered lunches, and complimentary coffee and tea throughout the day—all free for RIT faculty.

Sessions will be held in the Wallace Library and SHED. A detailed schedule and registration information will be shared in Spring—stay tuned! 

We are excited to announce the Call for Proposals for the 2026 Summer Institute for Teaching and Learning being held on May 14-15, 2026.

We are seeking faculty presenters who can contribute insights, expertise, and best practices related to the theme. Presenters are encouraged to demonstrate practical applications, share tangible resources, and engage participants in meaningful dialogue and reflection.

Proposals for presentations are being accepted from any RIT faculty until Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Presenters will be confirmed by Friday, March 27, 2026. For inquiries or to discuss your participation, please contact ctl@rit.edu for assistance.

Submit your proposal

Proposal Review and Acceptance
Proposals will be reviewed by members of the Center for Teaching and Learning, composed of staff and faculty.

Notifications of acceptance will be sent by Friday, March 27, 2026. You may be asked to modify your proposal depending on anonymous review recommendations, number of proposals received, or to ensure a vibrant and robust conference.
Please note:

Note, presenters are asked to also register for the event if planning to attend other sessions.

Session Times
The Summer Institute features primarily 45-minute sessions, with a limited number of 1 hour 45-minute double session blocks available. All sessions should include time for discussion and reflection.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

• 9:00–9:45 AM 
• 10:00–11:45 AM (double session block)
• 10:00–10:45 AM
• 11:00–11:45 AM
• 2:00–2:45 PM

Thursday, May 14

• 9:00–9:45 AM
• 10:00–11:45 AM (double session block)
• 10:00–10:45 AM
• 11:00–11:45 AM
• 1:00-1:45 PM
• 2:00–2:45 PM

Session Tracks
Contribute insights, expertise, and best practices related to the tracks. Presenters are encouraged to demonstrate practical applications, share tangible resources, and engage participants in meaningful dialogue and reflection that align with the following topics: 

• Student and Faculty Success: Advancing student achievement and faculty growth through inclusive, supportive, and evidence-based teaching practices.
• Teaching Efficiencies: Streamlining course design, assessment, and instructional workflows to maximize impact and sustainability.
• Teaching with Technology: Exploring the intentional integration of technology to enhance the student experience.
• Engaging Learning Experience: Engineering immersive, interactive experiences that drive deep comprehension and long-term retention.

Session Types

• Presentation: A speaker delivers a prepared talk, usually including a slide deck, to share research findings, insights, or information on a specific topic.
• Workshop: An interactive session where participants actively engage in hands-on activities, discussions, and collaborative learning to gain practical knowledge and skills on a specific topic
• Panel Discussions: A group of experts on a topic, present their perspectives, and engage in a moderated conversation with each other, followed by a question-and-answer period with the audience.
• Roundtable Discussion: A moderator engages in a casual, conversational interview through questions and open discussion.

We encourage both individual and collaborative submissions. This is a valuable opportunity to share your innovative teaching approaches and contribute to the collective advancement of our educational community.

We look forward to your contributions and collaboration in advancing teaching excellence and innovation!

Registration opens in April 2026. An online registration form will be available on this page, and communicated to faculty through email.

This event is free and open to the entire RIT community. Whether you are a seasoned educator or new to the field, we encourage you to participate and contribute to this vibrant exchange of ideas.

DAY 1: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

DAY 2: Thursday, May 14, 2026

DAY 3: Friday, May 15, 2026

Session Presenters

Presentations, workshops, panel discussions and roundtable discussions will take place throughout the Summer Institute. Sessions are primarily 45-minute, with a limited number of 1 hour 45-minute double session blocks available. All sessions should include time for discussion and reflection.

Please note:

• A conference title slide will be provided to you to use as your first slide.
• Your presentation and any handouts must be provided in advance so they can be shared with attendees and interpreters.
• Please bring any handouts or printed materials with you; we are unable to make copies.
• If you plan to attend other sessions, please register for the conference.
• Presenters are responsible for bringing a laptop, if needed.
• Please include time for discussion and reflection in your session.
• During your session, a team member will open the doors for the final five minutes of the session.
• CTL staff will be on-hand at the beginning of your session to help you setup. Plus, as usual the CTL’s Classroom Technology Support is only a phone call away, 475-2551.
• If your session becomes standing room only, a CTL staff member will assist with the option to relocate to a large SHED classroom.
• Please check-in at the Registration Desk to pick-up your presenter name tag, and other conference materials.
• A session sign in-sheet will be placed in the room of your session. We encourage you to circulate the sign-in sheet during or the end of your session. A copy can be made available to you upon request.
• If you would like to discuss your session in advance of submitting your proposal or afterwards, please email ctl@rit.edu.

PLIG Poster Showcase Presenters

The 2026 PLIG Poster Showcase on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 12:30-1:45 pm, will feature faculty recipients of the 2025 Provost’s Learning Innovation Grant (PLIG) as they present their funded projects through poster presentations. This session highlights innovative approaches to teaching and learning, offering a platform for faculty to share their insights, strategies, and early outcomes with the campus community. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore creative projects designed to enhance student learning and engagement while connecting with colleagues who are advancing pedagogical innovation.

Guidelines:

• Poster presenters are responsible for the design and printing of posters.
• Poster size should be a minimum of 24” × 36” and a maximum of 48” × 48”. You may choose a vertical or horizontal format.
• Please either delivery your rolled poster to the Registration Desk by 9:00 am or you may hang your own poster by 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
• Posters should not be foam core mounted, unless otherwise stated. 
• Posters will be hung on the wall with magnet clips, which will be in the room. 
• Your poster must remain hanging until the end of the session. 
• Poster presenters must be on hand with their poster during the session. 
• If your poster is wider than 4’, the edges will need to curl behind so as not to encroach on the posters next to yours.

Design & Layout:
There are no set requirements for what to put on your poster, but standard items for this type of presentation include:

• Title, Authors, and Affiliations
• Introduction/Objectives/Problem/Goal
• Methods
• Results
• Conclusion
• References
• Acknowledgements
• Contact Information (consider using a QR Code)

2025 Summer Institute for Teaching and Learning + AI Symposium
Dates: May 14-16, 2025
Theme: Creativity and Innovation

2024 Summer Institute for Teaching and Learning + AI Symposium
Dates: May 14-15, 2024
Theme: Teaching the 21st Century Student

2023 Summer Institute for Teaching and Learning
Dates: May 13-15, 2023
Theme: Active Learning