Institute for Tomorrow - Faculty/Staff Development Program

Institute for Tomorrow: Teaching and Leading in Ambiguous Presents and for Uncertain Futures

 

The Institute for Tomorrow is a six-month professional development for UO faculty and student-programming staff* that combines the creative problem solving techniques of human-centered design with facilitation methods that enable students to integrate challenging realities. Through combining these modes, this program prepares faculty and staff to transform teaching, curriculum, programming, and mentoring to enact the future of higher education, today. 

Have you felt frustrated with students seeming apathetic, resistant, or powerless? Conversely, have you seen students struggle to take lofty aspirations and bring them to life? Last, have you yourself wondered if your current practice and training has prepared you to teach, mentor, and lead through these times? If you answered yes to any of the above, this program is for you! The Institute for Tomorrow is relevant for all fields and focus areas and supports Oregon Rising goals for career preparation, creating a flourishing community, and environmental resilience scholarship.

The training acknowledges we're living in profound uncertainty, heading toward a future very different from today. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing social instability all contribute to the ambiguity we are swimming in. This is a moment to respond with creativity and ethical action. Through hands-on practice, ongoing mentorship, and peer support, participants will redesign their courses and programs to help students become confident, skilled problem-solvers. 

* What's a "student-programming staff" you may ask? If you design and facilitate co-curricular or para-professional activities for students, count yourself in!

 

 

Commitment

  • 9am-12pm, Fridays
  • 6 sessions, roughly one per month.
  • Modest "homework" in between sessions.
  • Lunch provided 12-1pm after each session for ongoing connection and collaboration.

Yes, this program is a commitment. Please only sign up if you believe you can attend at least five of the six sessions. 

Program Overview

  1. Orienting—Where are we now? Where are we going? / January 16 (winter week 2)
  2. Urgent Slow Down—What happens if we pause? / February 13 (winter week 6)
  3. Ambiguity Agility—What emerges after taking a breath? / March 6 (winter week 9)
  4. North Stars—Why are you here, right now? / April 10 (spring week 2)
  5. Making Sense—Bringing it together: playful, visionary, practical. / May 8 (spring week 6)
  6. Re-Orienting—Educators and Mentors for the Future: What is your manifesto? / May 29 (spring week 9)

Apply by December 12! 

 

Questions? Email Sarah Stoeckl, sstoeckl@uoregon.edu, or chat on Teams.

Participants will be notified of acceptance the week of December 15. Feel free to save the January 16th date!

 

Program Outcomes

Graphic showing the learning outcomes of the program, details in caption.
1. Redesign curriculum/programming to foster ethical problem-solving, agency, and self-efficacy in students. 2. Increase your capacity to facilitate engagement with difficult realities in your classroom or program work in ways that are trauma-informed and foster emotional maturity. 3. Develop your mindsets and aptitudes for student learning and development in uncertain times and for ambiguous futures. 4. Connect with others and co-build a unique and connected professional community at UO.