Opening Week

• Time: 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 

• Registration: Registration required. RSVP deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 13. 

• Location: Riverview Ballroom, University Center (second floor).

Schedule:

• 8:30 a.m.: Coffee and tea available.

• 9 a.m.: Workshop: Substantial and Meaningful Interaction: Pushing Back Against the Transactional in Our Teaching, Cyndi Kernahan, CETL Director  
  • It is an understatement to say that teaching is challenging right now. A lot of factors have conspired to make it harder than ever to focus on the core of what we do: teaching and the facilitation of student learning. In this session, I will share some ideas and research about the challenges we are facing and how we can use some core elements of High Impact Practices (HIPS) to push back against these challenges. More specifically, we will focus on using structured facilitation techniques to increase substantial and meaningful interaction with students. We will also talk about how to use Utility Interventions to increase student motivation and engagement with material that students may not always appreciate. Lots of time for questions and discussion.
• Noon-1 p.m.: Lunch provided.
• 1-2:30 p.m.: Workshop: Rosey the Robot, Snakes, and CRAB: Critically Thinking About AI in Your Teaching, Rachelle Haroldson, CETL Instructional Designer  
  • Come learn more about how to infuse AI concepts and tools into your courses. Drawing from content presented in the summer AI course and the AI Snake Oil book, this workshop will review big ideas around the benefits of AI, the myths of AI, and the approaches to critiquing generative AI output with students.  Participants can expect opportunities for conversation and activities to develop their AI literacy. No need to have taken the course or read the book to participate!  

Questions? Email Cyndi Kernahan.  

• Time: 8 a.m.-noon
• Location: University Center

Students will meet with advisers, register for classes, learn about campus resources and complete final enrollment steps. View the registration schedule. 

Email David Toles with questions.

• Time: 8-8:30 a.m.
• Registration: By invitation only.
• Location: Falcon's Nest Mezzanine, University Center, 2nd Floor

University Awardees Breakfast with Campus Leadership: Continental breakfast and networking for university awardees and campus leadership. 

Questions? Email Wendy Stocker.  

• Time: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
• Registration: Open to all UWRF employees, new and returning
• Location: University Center

You're invited to attend the 4th annual Employee Resource Fair from 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the UC. This event is a unique opportunity for all UWRF employees to connect with campus departments and support organizations and to learn more about the many resources and services available to support your work and wellbeing. It's a great way to meet colleagues from across campus and start the academic year in a welcoming and informative environment. 

• Time: 8:30-9:45 a.m.
• Registration: Open to any colleagues who would like to attend and support staff being recognized. No registration required.
• Location: Falcon's Nest, University Center

All-Campus Awards Program: The third annual UWRF All-Campus Awards Program will recognize our university’s outstanding faculty, staff and programs and celebrate their impact on the education and student experience here at the UW-River Falls. Awards being recognized are:  

• Distinguished Teacher: Kurt Torgersen, Senior Lecturer, Chemistry and Biotechnology
• Adviser of the Year: Kateri Carver, Assistant Professor and Director of EdD in Montessori Studies Program, Director of MSE and Montessori Teacher Education Programs
• University Excellence in Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Award: Gregory Ruegsegger, Assistant Professor, Health and Human Performance
• University Excellence in Service Award: Ozcan Kilic, Professor of Management and Marketing
• Paul B. and Robert Dykstra Faculty Excellence Award: Shawyn Domyancich-Lee, Assistant Professor, Social Worker;  Brooke Krejci, Assistant Professor, Mathematics
• Keith Wurtz Award for Teaching Excellence: Hannah Freeman, Assistant Professor, Art; Bob Zhiwei Zeng, Assistant Professor, Ag Engineering Technology; Blair Troudt, Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biotechnology
• Manley Olson Instructional Academic Staff Professional Development Award: Rhonda Petree, Lecturer, English Department
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence: Susan Bischof (University Staff Category B), Steve Alton (University Staff Category A), Heather Davis (Instructional Academic Staff), Pam Bowen (Non-Instructional Academic Staff), Katy Huneke (Limited)
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence: Sustainability Office (Academic Staff Program)
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence: Central Receiving and Postal Services (University Staff Program)
• Sally Margis Award Recipient: Molly Matzek, Human Resources Coordinator; Kelly Grenzow, Tutoring Coordinator, Exploratory and Tutoring Services
• 2025 Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award for Academic Departments and Program: Plant and Earth Science Department, Chair: Holly Dolliver

Questions? Email Wendy Stocker.

• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Registration: No reservation required, all are welcome.
• Location: Riverview Ballroom, University Center, 2nd Floor

Celebrate the start of fall semester by attending the annual all-campus Opening Meeting. In addition to university updates provided by Chancellor John Chenoweth and other campus leadership, the meeting will include honoring our years of service recipients and acknowledging faculty and staff awards. The meeting will not be livestreamed but will be recorded and available for later viewing.  

Questions? Email Jenna Lindseth. 

• Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Registration: No registration required, those attending opening meeting in-person will receive a free lunch ticket.
• Location: Riverside Commons, University Center, Lower Level.

Those attending opening meeting in person will receive a free lunch ticket to attend an Employee Appreciation Lunch directly following the meeting. Attendees can pick up lunch in Riverside Commons (lower level of the University Center) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.   

Questions? Email Jenna Lindseth.  

• College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
  • Location: 114 Ag Science
  • Questions? Email Rachel Frederickson.
• College of Education, Business and Allied Health
  • Location: 120 South Hall  
  • Questions? Email Amanda Houghton.
• College of Arts and Sciences Opening Meeting
  • Location: Blanche Davis Theater, KFA  
  • Questions? Email Donna Thompson. 

• Time: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
• Registration: By invitation only.
• Location: Kinnickinnic Theater, University Center, 3rd Floor.

New Employee Orientation: Led by CETL and HR, we are excited to bring together all recently hired employees for this orientation. The goal is for new employees to obtain valuable UWRF information, resources and connections from across campus. 

Questions? Email Jennifer Seger. 

• Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Registration: By invitation only.
• Location: Falls Room, University Center, Lower Level.

New Instructor Orientation: Led by CETL, this session will extend the orientation for all those new to teaching at UWRF. We will review essential information about syllabi, support for students, teaching support and educational technology at UWRF (e.g., ESIS, Canvas, digital accessibility).  

Questions? Email Cyndi Kernahan. 

• Time: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Registration: By invitation only.
• Location: Dairy Learning Center

Questions? Email Wendy Stocker. 

• Time: 8:30 a.m.-noon
• Registration: By invitation only.
• Location: Rodli Hall 258

New Instructor Orientation: Led by CETL, this session will extend the orientation for all those new to teaching at UWRF. We will review essential information about syllabi, support for students, teaching support and educational technology at UWRF (e.g., ESIS, Canvas, digital accessibility).  

Email Cyndi Kernahan with questions. 

Questions? Reach out to your college Dean's Office for more information. 

• College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences: Contact Rachel Frederickson 

• College of Arts and Sciences: Contact Donna Thompson 

• College of Education, Business and Allied Health: Contact Amanda Houghton 

• Time: 9 a.m.
• Location: UC Falls Room, University Center, Lower Level

Cyndi Kernahan (facilitator), Paul Shirilla, Mari Kline-Kluck, Jodee Schaben, Melanie Ayres, and Sylvia Kehoe (panelists)  

UWRF is launching a new advising model—and faculty will play a key role. This session will walk through what’s changing, what faculty mentors can expect during a student’s first two years and how the transition to faculty advising will work. We’ll share practical tips, outline expectations and leave plenty of time for your questions. Whether you’re new to advising or experienced, this is a great opportunity to prepare for your role in supporting student success. 

• Time: 9 a.m.
• Location: Willow River Room, University Center

Mark Klapatch-Mathias, facilitator   

Learn how your everyday actions can support a more sustainable future at UW-River Falls. This session will share practical ways to reduce your environmental impact at work, highlight opportunities to get involved with sustainability-focused groups and committees and connect you with resources to help integrate sustainability into your role. Regardless of your role or length of service on campus, everyone has a part to play. 

• Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Location: Davee Library 162

Steven Meads and Zach Paul, facilitators 

Technology Services is excited to introduce a new screen-casting technology in many of our classrooms, including classrooms in SciTech. This updated system enables quick screen sharing using a few simple keystrokes, making it easy for both instructors and students to connect. The technology supports multiple simultaneous connections (split screen) and can serve as an accessibility aid for students with impairments or special needs. The rollout begins in 66 classrooms across campus, including the majority of rooms in the SciTech. Stop in, check it out, and ask questions. View Learning Spaces 2025 Updates and Wireless ScreenCasting Information for more information. 

• Time: 10:30 a.m.
• Location: Falls Room, University Center, Lower Level

Becky Pribnow, facilitator 

Come join us to learn why Navigate360 is an important tool for our campus to use and how faculty/staff can utilize the system. We will discuss the four priority areas of Navigate360 and how to use these features to create a more coordinated system of care for our students.  

• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Location: University Center Foyer

Rachelle Haroldson

Stop by to get your questions answered and to learn more about the new digital accessibility rules affecting all digital tools and content this year (e.g., documents, Canvas, webpages).  

• Time: 1 p.m.
• Location: Kinnickinnic Theatre, University Center, 3rd Floor

Peter Angelos, Executive Information Officer at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and a member of the Educause Board of Directors 

This session will provide faculty and staff with insights on governance, ethical considerations, AI tools and practical strategies for use. Participants will engage in discussions, breakouts and hands-on activities. 

Location: Residence Halls

• Fall Move In will begin Friday, Aug. 29 for new and transfer students and Saturday, Aug. 30 for returning students. Move In ends Monday, Sept. 1. Residence Hall welcome activities and dining meal plans start on August 29. 

• View additional information about Move In and Orientation.

• Email reslife@uwrf.edu with questions.