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

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!

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.

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

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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