PD Day Spring 2026

Motivation & Campus Culture

Friday, February 20, 2026

Please register for all sessions you would like to attend. All sessions are one hour of PD Credit.

Members of the POD Committees will be available to assist in each of the break-out sessions.

Breakout Session One from 1:30-2:20 p.m.

Burnout to Brilliance

Presented by Boyce Wilson

Burnout to Brilliance: Reigniting Passion for Teaching and Serving Students. Burnout is real, but it doesn’t have to define our work. This session blends research and leadership strategies to help participants renew energy, find balance, and rediscover passion for their roles.

ZPODD 2026 01

MAC 111

Preventing Workplace Dumpster Fires

Presented by Missy Kittner

Preventing Workplace Dumpster Fires: Crucial Conversations that Put Out Sparks Early. We’ve all seen it—a small miscommunication turns into a full-blown dumpster fire. In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to spot early warning signs, use a simple framework for crucial conversations, and choose language that reduces defensiveness and builds trust. Through realistic scenarios and hands-on practice, you’ll leave equipped with practical communication tools you can use whenever challenging situations arise to prevent problems from escalating and strengthen your workplace culture.

ZPODD 2026 02

MAC 108

The Neuro-logical Mindset to Understanding Neurodivergence

Presented by Cory Heidt

Of the many challenges life neurodivergent people face, one the biggest and most fundamental obstacles is a deficit-based mindset. This breakout session will examine how conventional, well-intentioned, efforts to “fix” or “hack” the brain actually reinforce many neurodivergent people to adopt self-limiting, incapable mindset. Participants will be introduced to a more neuro-logical way of looking at neurodivergence which shifts towards a mindset emphasizing balance, self-efficacy, and connection.

ZPODD 2026 03

MAC 235

Growing Student Success Together

Presented by Donna Ewing

Student success is our shared goal. In this session, we’ll explore the secret sauce that makes success possible—for our students and for us. Together, we’ll look at how creating a supportive, collaborative environment nurtures success, strengthens our community, and helps everyone thrive.

ZPODD 2026 04

MAC 236

Inside the CE Experience: Culture, Motivation, and Impact

Presented by Stephanie Maultsby, Jasmine Kirk, Allison Halbert, Dylan Mahanay, and Steve Wenzel

This interactive session highlights the culture of Continuing Education and what truly motivates students to choose CE courses and workforce programs. Participants will explore the “why” behind enrollment across Community Programs, Community Health, and Corporate Training. By better understanding our learners’ goals and expectations, we can strengthen connections, increase engagement, and create more meaningful CE experiences.

ZPODD 2026 05

MAC 237

Pathways

Presented by Dr. Chad Eggleston

Description to follow.

ZPODD 2026 06

MAC 300

Motivation in Online Learning

Presented by Gail Illich

This session will explore strategies for motivating online students through weekly meetings, recorded sessions, and structured reflection assignments. Participants will learn how requiring engagement—via chat during live sessions or comments on recordings—keeps students accountable and connected. The oral exam and its paired reflection assignments will be highlighted as tools for building confidence, collaboration, and metacognitive awareness. Finally, the session will demonstrate how AI can synthesize student reflections into motivating summary announcements that reinforce key concepts and weekly goals.

ZPODD 2026 07

MAC 301

Clarity, Consistency, and Care: Reframing Scholastic Dishonesty Reporting

Presented by Kelli Nehring

This session will examine how recent changes to scholastic dishonesty reporting and management align with MCC’s commitment to a supportive and student-focused campus culture. Faculty will learn how to report incidents using Guardian, what to expect after submitting a report, and how this process helps ensure fair and consistent responses. The session emphasizes supporting both students and faculty while navigating challenging situations with confidence and care.

ZPODD 2026 08

MAC 304

Engaging Students in the Classroom

Presented by Dr. Daelynn Copeland

In this interactive session, participants will learn how to engage students in classroom discussions and activities. Participants will leave with tips on managing classrooms containing a variety of student personalities. They will also gain new perspective on supporting adult students who exhibit challenging behaviors.

ZPODD 2026 09

MAC 304

Breakout Session Two from 2:40-3:30 p.m.

Leading Without a Title

Presented by Boyce Wilson

Leading Without a Title: Everyday Leadership for Faculty and Staff. Leadership is about influence, not position. Based on John Maxwell’s principles, this session empowers all employees—faculty or staff—to lead from where they are and positively impact campus culture.

ZPODD 2026 10

MAC 111

Preventing Workplace Dumpster Fires

Presented by Missy Kittner

ZPODD 2026 11

MAC 108

Borderlands: A Communication Approach to Student Relations

Presented by Aaron Hamilton

Gloria Anzaldua's concept of Borderlands can be seen in a multitude of places within higher education and the students that staff interact with. The purpose of this presentation would be to educate staff from all walks of life on a framework that can be utilized to connect with students they work with on a daily basis. The presentation would explore several distinct student groups and how to bridge a divide and create a lasting relationship. The main five student demographic groups that will be explored are first-generation students, students from various socioeconomic standings, students from different cultural backgrounds, students who identify as members of a minority community, and students who have had drastic changes in their major.

ZPODD 2026 12

MAC 204

Introducing Highlander Prep

Presented by Dr. Brandon Hill

This session offers an early preview of Highlander Prep, McLennan Community College’s new digital onboarding experience for first time in college students. Participants will explore how the course is structured, how students move from onboarding to advising, and how leadership voices, badges, and milestones support momentum and belonging. We will also discuss how Highlander Prep aligns academic expectations, student support, and engagement across departments. Attendees will leave with a great insight for how this experience supports student success from day one.

ZPODD 2026 13

MAC 236

Self-Efficacy and How it Relates to Motivation

Presented by Dr. Tonya Trepinski

This session will introduce self-efficacy and its relationship to motivation for both you and the students. It will highlight its importance and give suggestions on how to include it in your classroom both face to face and online. Examples will be shared and you will have a chance to interact a bit with the content.

ZPODD 2026 14

MAC 237

Designing Assignments AI Can’t Catfish

Presented by John Ghazzagh

Generative AI can crank out a polished essay in seconds, and sometimes it looks convincing enough to fool everyone. In this session, you’ll learn how to design assignments that can’t be “catfished” by AI, using simple, realistic strategies like process-based checkpoints, quick authenticity checks, and MCC’s Red/Yellow/Green stoplight rules. You’ll leave with Monday-morning-ready ideas that protect learning without turning your class into a surveillance show.

ZPODD 2026 15

MAC 300

Building a Better Brightspace

Presented by TJ Waldie and Krystal Garcia

This session will cover a high-level overview of the New Content Experience that is coming to Brightspace. We’ll highlight the differences in organizational structure, adding new content, and more!

ZPODD 2026 16

MAC 301

Clarity, Consistency, and Care: Reframing Scholastic Dishonesty Reporting

Presented by Kelli Nehring

ZPODD 2026 17

MAC 304

Creating Community in the Classroom

Presented by Dr. Kayla Willis

Relationships are the foundation of learning in the classroom, but how can we build connection and community when we have such a limited time with our students? In this session we will explore some ways to build community and connections in the classroom, which can ultimately set students up for success.

ZPODD 2026 18

MAC 335

Breakout Session Three from 3:50-4:40pm

Generation Motivation

Presented by Bryant Windham and Starlen Roddy

We explore how circumstances across life stages affect communication and motivation for different generations in a shared space with a focus on empathetic communication.

ZPODD 2026 19

MAC 111

Campus to Community

Presented by Tim Jeske, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator

Waco/McLennan County Office of Emergency Management

Campus to Community: Improving Resiliency through Volunteerism. This session explores the importance of volunteerism and community connection, both individually and as a campus. Participants will learn why service is vital to building resilient communities and how small, consistent involvement by many people can create meaningful impact. Rather than asking everyone to do everything, this session encourages each person to find one way to serve that aligns with their interests and capacity. The presentation will highlight the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, a nationally recognized volunteer program that trains residents to assist their neighborhoods before, during, and after emergencies. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how CERT works, the skills it teaches, and how they can get involved to support their community in meaningful, practical ways.

ZPODD 2026 20

MAC 108

How to Communicate with Anyone in the World

Presented by Dr. Byron Bridges

This session will teach you about the hidden gem where human communication is concern. This will also enhance your understanding on what you need to look for. We also will explore different tools you can use across the language barriers, Come and learn what/where the hidden gems are.

ZPODD 2026 21

MAC 235

Strengths & Campus Culture

Presented by Dr. Brandon Hill

This session introduces a strengths-based approach to motivation and campus culture. Participants will explore how understanding their own strengths can enhance the way they support students in recognizing and using theirs. The session focuses on strengths philosophy and everyday practice rather than assessment results. We’ll also share information about MCC’s new Strengths Educator Professional Development Certificate.

ZPODD 2026 22

MAC 236

Quotation Motivation

Presented by Cindy Burns

Inspirational quotes may be used to motivate people to take action or pause for reflection. The quotes might come from speeches made by famous people or from words of wisdom from not-so-famous people. Come prepared to share your own experiences of being motivated to action because of a quote.

ZPODD 2026 23

MAC 237

Designing Assignments AI Can’t Catfish

Presented by John Ghazzagh

ZPODD 2026 24

MAC 300

Building a Better Brightspace

Presented by TJ Waldie and Krystal Garcia

This session will cover a high-level overview of the New Content Experience that is coming to Brightspace. We’ll highlight the differences in organizational structure, adding new content, and more!

ZPODD 2026 25

MAC 301

Great Minds: Hope on the Wing

Presented by Rachel Kramer

Hope on the Wing: The Scientists Who Saved the Whooping Crane. Once a familiar sight on the North American landscape, the whooping crane was driven to the brink of extinction in the early 1900s. Join a self-professed craniac to explore the great minds of Robert Porter Allen and George Archibald, the two ornithologists who led whooping crane recovery efforts. Their stories blend adventure (including a Caribbean shipwreck and the Cuban Revolution), lifelong dedication to a greater cause, and creativity in solving thorny conservation problems. From sharing living quarters and dancing with one of the last remaining female whoopers (to encourage her egg production) to dressing up head-to-toe as crane parents (to raise more chicks than existing adults can manage), these scientists and their students have overcome challenge after challenge. Even after nearly a century of innovative conservation work, fewer than 1,000 of these majestic birds are alive today - and they winter on the Texas Gulf Coast! Attendees will leave motivated and inspired to make a positive impact on their own habitats.

ZPODD 2026 26

MAC 304

Creating Community in the Classroom

Presented by Dr. Kayla Willis

ZPODD 2026 27

MAC 335

Thank you to the Leadership team and the MCC Foundation for their support of Professional and Organizational Development.

POD Committee Members:

Scott Bryant

David Contreraz

Laura J. Crapps

Felicia Gladden

Jarred Hankhouse

Donald Holt

Larry Johnson

Brenda King

Tommy Lowrance

Kelli Nehring

Dane Pullen

Liya Scott

Mary Sides

Holly Webb