News and Events

During the fall semester, Mandi VanOverbeke and Katie Trombley participated in an Equity by Design (EbD) professional learning cohort focused on increasing student success through data-informed, equity-minded teaching practices. The 12-week cohort brought together faculty from across Minnesota to collaborate, reflect, and share ideas through Zoom sessions and online discussion boards, guided by experienced EbD facilitators.

Participants explored research-based strategies for identifying and addressing equity gaps in the classroom. Readings included Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond and From Equity Talk to Equity Walk by Cornelius Minor. Cohort topics included understanding student barriers to success, analyzing student success data, engaging in courageous conversations, and developing culturally responsive teaching personas.

The experience reinforced many student-centered practices Mandi and Katie were already using—such as building strong relationships, providing clear learning pathways, and incorporating real-world scenarios—while encouraging a more intentional and reflective equity lens in course design. Both instructors plan to apply what they learned by expanding flexible assessment options, incorporating broader community and lived perspectives into class discussions, and using regular check-ins to ensure students feel supported, capable, and connected.

Katie plans to implement several specific changes in her courses, including rewriting her syllabus using warm demander language, embedding structured writing reflections into each class session, and explicitly teaching self-management skills. Mandi plans to continue refining interactive and collaborative learning experiences that offer students multiple ways to engage with course content and demonstrate learning.

Katie's Interpersonal Communication class conducted speed interviews to get to know each other and build community on the first day of spring semester. Students in Mandi's Tactical Communications class and Law Enforcement and Community class practiced different channels of communication and trust-building exercises.

Together, these efforts reflect a shared commitment to Equity by Design and to creating learning environments that are intentionally inclusive, supportive, and accessible—ensuring that all students have meaningful opportunities to engage, grow, and succeed.