Caritas and Community: Intentional Course Design and Faculty Caring is an interactive faculty development workshop designed to empower educators to create learning environments rooted in creating a caring community tied to best practices in online education. Drawing on the principles of caritas—meaning love, kindness, and caring—this workshop explores how thoughtful course design and faculty presence can foster a sense of belonging and well-being among students.

Workshop Objectives

• Understand Caritas in Education: Explore the concept of caritas and its relevance to teaching, learning, and community-building in higher education.

• Intentional Course Design: Learn strategies for designing courses that promote inclusivity, engagement, and student success.

• Faculty Caring Practices: Identify practical ways faculty can demonstrate care, support, and empathy in both in-person and online settings.

• Community Building: Discover techniques to cultivate a classroom culture where students feel valued, respected, and connected.

Who Should Attend

Faculty and instructors from all disciplines who are interested in enhancing student engagement, well-being, and academic success through intentional course design and caring teaching practices.

Outcomes

Participants will leave the workshop with:

• A deeper understanding of the role of caring in effective teaching

• Practical tools and strategies for designing caring, community-oriented courses

• An actionable plan to implement caring practices in their own teaching