If you’re wondering how CAIFS will kick off the new year, check out the exciting January lineup below and be sure to include CAIFS in your New Year’s Resolutions!

Blackboard Day, 1/9/2025, 9AM-3PM, hybrid event
Blackboard Day is a celebration of all things Blackboard and kicks off with the most recent updates to the LMS that make teaching and learning more intuitive, more exciting, and easier for everyone. Topics for the 2025 Blackboard Day include explorations of the latest gradebook features, timely practices for student success, and introductions to AI tools that will enhance faculty’s ability to create aligned rubrics, assessments, and assignments. See you there!
Getting Started with the Inclusive Pedagogy Certification, 1/15/2025, 12:45-1:45PM,
Online Event Link
Inclusive pedagogy (IP) is a pedagogical approach that aims to make learning accessible and welcoming for all students. At its core, inclusive pedagogy focuses on increasing student engagement in the learning process by creating a sense of belonging among all participants. If you’re interested in adding some new or different practices to your pedagogy, consider kicking off 2025 with the inclusive pedagogy certificate. Learn more about how to get started at this event.
The Power and Implications of the AI Revolution: The Emerging Role of Individuals, Organizations, and Society, conference, 1/31/2025, Online Event (Links available with registration)
The University of South Carolina Upstate will convene a one-day refereed conference to build and facilitate community-centered networking and dialogues about the implications of the AI Revolution in the areas of industry and careers, academic research, and teaching. The emerging roles that individuals, organizations, and society will play in an AI-enabled world will be examined. This conference brings community leaders, industry representatives, higher education faculty and staff, and others into fruitful conversations about our shared responses and responsibilities in leveraging the power of AI. Registration for this event is still open and free for USC Upstate faculty. Visit the conference website at this link.
More information about all of these events, including the video conferencing links as they become available, can be found in the CAIFS Professional Development Course. For other exciting opportunities to engage with CAIFS, check out the calendar of events for the remainder of the 2024-2025 academic year. We hope you all will join CAIFS in welcoming the new year and achieving great things together!