UTEP Inspire

Starting June 1, DUO Mobile authentication will be added to Blackboard to help strengthen account security and protect student and faculty information. Please help spread the word to students so they can complete setup early and avoid disruptions accessing Blackboard courses, assignments, and exams. View UTEP's DUO Mobile Guidance: https://www.utep.edu/information-resources/iso/resources/duo-two-factor-authentication.html

Ready to rethink your teaching without redesigning everything at once? The Teaching Transformation Institute (TTI) is a flexible, year-long program where faculty can explore active learning, AI in teaching, course innovation, and practical strategies that support student engagement and learning. Join live sessions, explore recordings at your own pace, or complete the full experience to earn a certificate in teaching transformation and implementation. Learn More: https://www.utep.edu/inspire/professional_development/tti.html

End-of-semester grading piling up?

Grouping similar assignments together reduces mental switching and helps you move faster through large volumes.

https://universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/strategies-to-help-with-the-hardest-part-of-our-job-grading/

Faculty do not have to carry every responsibility alone during finals week.

This week, focus on what is actually within your control:

- Priorities
- Boundaries
- Response times

👉 See what can help during finals season: https://www.colorado.edu/health/2025/04/03/6-tips-staff-and-faculty-experiencing-burnout

Finals hit harder for first-gen students navigating college without a roadmap. Small teaching moves matter.

See practical strategies to better support first-gen students here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-faculty-staff-can-support-first-generation-during-troy-ph-d--gnlwe

Finals season = peak stress for students.
Deadlines, pressure, and uncertainty can quickly overwhelm, even prepared students.

A quick course review can make a difference:

- Organize key concepts
- Offer a quick review session
- Use practice quizzes
- Help students spot learning gaps

Small steps now = more confident, prepared students.

👉 Explore more: https://www.umass.edu/ideas/digest/supporting-students-during-finals-faculty-action-checklist

As finals approach, students are under pressure and academic integrity challenges increase.

A quick check can help:

- Review how answers are developed
- Look for consistency across responses
- Use tools available in your Learning Management System.

Explore more here: https://academicintegrity.ucsd.edu/take-action/faculty-top10-tips.html -1-create-a-sense-of-belonging

Simplify your workflow and reduce stress with practical grading strategies you can use right now.

• Create clear, consistent grading criteria
• Use rubrics to speed up feedback
• Focus comments where they matter most
• Try small changes that save big time

Explore more grading tips here: teachlearn.ls.wisc.edu/grading/

When mentoring gets complicated, this session helps you respond with clarity, ethics, and practical skill.

Join us for an interactive session exploring the real challenges of mentoring and how to navigate them with confidence.

📅 Friday, May 1 - 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (MDT)
📍Collaboration Hub, Library 131

RSVP here: https://minetracker.utep.edu/event/11996636

Mentoring is rewarding but not always simple.

Join us for an interactive session to tackle real challenges, swap strategies, and leave with one action to strengthen your mentoring.

📍 Collaboration Hub, Library 131
🕑 2:00–3:30 pm

More details here: https://minetracker.utep.edu/event/11996636