April 11, 2023

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

 

Student Union Ballroom and Online
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Optional networking breakfast 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

If you have questions about the event or you need assistance with registration, please contact the Office of External Relations and University Events at 413-577-1101.

 

ABOUT THE FLEX SUMMIT

Students today are seeking both excellence in their university experience and true flexibility in accessing educational opportunities. UMass Flex explores ways to open up all parts of the university experience—from classes to career services—through technology and innovation.

Building on the 2022 Flex Summit, this year's Flex Summit Beyond the Classroom will focus on:
  • Sharing campus experiences around flexible learning and flexible engagement
  • Celebrating staff successes in providing flexible access to students
  • Learning from successful models at other institutions
  • Understanding the student perspective through digital storytelling

 

Jared Tippets head shot

Students are still coming to campus, but they also want the flexibility to take advantage of resources in a virtual setting. This creates challenges for staff and for our entire campus. How do we provide the best of both?

Keynote Speaker:
Jared Tippets


Vice President, Student Affairs, Southern Utah University

 

 

 

 

 

2023 FLEX SUMMIT SCHEDULE

7:30 - 9:00 a.m.  Optional Networking Breakfast
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. 

Welcome & Vision

Speakers:
Kumble R. Subbaswamy, Chancellor, UMass Amherst

Tricia Serio, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UMass Amherst

Jim Kurose, Associate Chancellor of Partnership and Innovation, and Distinguished Professor, UMass Amherst

John Wells, Senior Vice Provost for Lifelong Learning, and Professor, Operations & Information Management, UMass Amherst

9:15 - 10:15 a.m. 

Expanding Flexible Access to Services

Explore findings from surveys and interviews conducted with units across campus providing services to faculty, students and staff, with the goal of identifying which services are currently flexible, where there is a desire to expand offerings, and what resources are needed to implement them.

Speaker: Elizabeth Conniff, Assistant Director, New Student Orientation & Transitions, and 2022-23 Staff Flex Fellow, UMass Amherst

10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Flex Innovations & Resources Across Campus

Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS) shares innovations happening across campus and resources available to staff to enhance the UMass Flex experience.

11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lunch and Fireside Chat: Building a Flexible Campus

Best practices and lessons learned in offering flexible services in support of students, faculty, and staff.

Speakers:
Jared Tippets, Vice President, Student Affairs, Southern Utah University

Jim Kurose, Associate Chancellor of Partnership and Innovation, and Distinguished Professor, UMass Amherst

John Wells, Senior Vice Provost for Lifelong Learning, and Professor, Operations & Information Management, UMass Amherst

12:45 - 1:45 p.m.

Agents of Change: FLEXperience: Amplifying Student Voices through Digital Storytelling

The 2022-2023 Student FLEXperience expands the UMass Amherst student experience by sharing Digital Stories focused on the overarching theme of Belonging and Access: How Digital Technology Can Solve Obstacles.

Speakers: FLEXperience Students

Facilitators: 
Alex Deschamps, Manager, Instructional Innovation, UMass Amherst

Alaina Macaulay, Senior Director for Inclusion and Strategic Engagement, UMass Amherst

Pete Smith, Acting Director and SACL Chief of Staff, UMass Amherst

1:45 - 2:00 p.m.

Closing

Speaker: Kumble R. Subbaswamy, Chancellor, UMass Amherst

 

 

Stundents attending a class in person.

FLEXperience: Amplifying Student Voices

The 2022-2023 Student FLEXperience expands the UMass Amherst student experience by sharing digital stories focused on the overarching theme of Belonging and Access: How Digital Technology Can Solve Obstacles.

Check back in early April to view FLEXperience digital stories.

2023 Flex Summit Speakers and Panelists

Chancellor Subbaswamy

Chancellor, UMass Amherst

Tricia Serio

Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UMass Amherst

Elizabeth Conniff

Assistant Director, New Student Orientation & Transitions, and 2022-23 Staff Flex Fellow, UMass Amherst

Alex Deschamps

Manager, Instructional Innovation, UMass Amherst

Jim Kurose

Associate Chancellor of Partnership and Innovation, and Distinguished Professor, UMass Amherst

Alaina Macauley head shot

Senior Director for Inclusion and Strategic Engagement, UMass Amherst
 

Pete Smith head shot

Acting Director and SACL Chief of Staff, UMass Amherst

John Wells

Senior Vice Provost for Lifelong Learning, and Professor, Operations & Information Management, UMass Amherst