the Evergreen s’gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ: (House of Welcome) where most of the institute activities are held.
Set on the lush, forested campus of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, Learning that Matters: the Course Design Institute offers faculty an opportunity to pause from normal routines to focus deeply on meaningful course design. During this four day, resource-rich institute, faculty will find themselves supported and inspired as they develop and design courses that address the needs of diverse students within the contexts of their unique teaching environments.
Our team of expert facilitators and authors of the book Learning that Matters: A Field Guide to Course Design for Transformative Education will guide participants through activities, workshops, and consultations to realize the kinds of courses that will energize their teaching and engage their students. (View schedule-at-a-glance.)
Participants can enjoy a range of attractions, dining, and activities in downtown Olympia. (Learn more about accommodations on our travel and lodging page.)
Join us! Let’s design courses for learning that matters!
August 4 – 7
The Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA
Meet the Facilitators
“We believe that faculty bring a wellspring of expertise and humanity to their teaching and that faculty are ideally positioned to inspire students to change their communities and the world. We want to support and affirm faculty from your institution in doing this important work.”
Caralyn Zehnder is a lecturer in Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Penn State and her Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Georgia. For two years, she was the Professional Development Coordinator at Springfield Technical Community College.
Cynthia Alby received a Ph.D. in Language Education from the University of Georgia, an M.A. in Classical Archeology from the University of Cincinnati, and an H.A.B. in Classical Languages and Philosophy from Xavier university. She joined Georgia College in 2001, where she is now a Professor of Teacher Education and works extensively with the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Karynne Kleine has advanced degrees in Education from the University of Maine (M.Ed. Middle Grades Education; Ed.D. History and Philosophy of Science/Science Education.) As a former dean and current professor of education, Karynne collaborates alongside her colleagues at Georgia College as well as nationally with those in other fields.
JuliA Metzker serves as Director of the Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education at The Evergreen State College. She obtained a doctoral degree in organic chemistry from the University of Arizona and completed a postdoctoral appointment at the University of York in the United Kingdom.