As instructors prepare for the academic year ahead, this summer's offerings respond to questions we're hearing across Northwestern about teaching, learning, and assessment. They include new workshops developed in response to school and departmental interests, such as Teaching Without AI When AI Is Everywhere; new collaborations with the Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement around Vigil and the Campus Reading Program Engaged Learning Grants; and continuing opportunities for course design and preparing graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for teaching roles.

Together, these programs reflect a shared commitment to teaching excellence across Northwestern.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Daisy Haas as Searle’s new Assistant Director of STEM Education. Daisy recently earned her doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, where her research focused on chemistry education and evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning in STEM.

Daisy brings a combined excellence in research, teaching, and educational development. As a STEM educator and Graduate Instructional Consultant at the University of Michigan’s Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, they partnered with instructors across disciplines to strengthen teaching practices, create engaging learning environments, and support student success. Their work reflects a commitment to learner-centered, inclusive education and helping students to develop academic confidence and critical thinking skills.

Through her involvement with Northwestern’s STEM Education Advisory Board, Daisy will be building partnerships with faculty, departments, and academic leaders across STEM disciplines. Her participation reflects Searle’s commitment to understanding local needs, strengthening coordination across educational initiatives, and supporting efforts to advance undergraduate learning and teaching.

We are excited for the expertise, enthusiasm, and collaborative spirit Daisy brings to the Searle Center and look forward to the many ways she will contribute to STEM education at Northwestern.

Course Design Institute (CDI)

August 25–27
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
627 Dartmouth Pl, Evanston Campus (Thursday is online)

Take a fresh approach to designing or redesigning a course in this immersive three-day institute. Guided by Searle Center educational developers and Northwestern IT Teaching and Technology instructional designers, participants build a Canvas-ready syllabus using backward design, collaborative dialogue, and evidence-informed practices. Through peer feedback and hands-on course development, participants create aligned learning outcomes, course structures, and practical strategies that support learning and well-being while maintaining a manageable instructor workload. Participants leave with a new or redesigned syllabus ready for implementation and a network of colleagues committed to inclusive and effective teaching. Reserve your spot.

Teaching without AI When AI is Everywhere

August 24
9:30–11:00 AM
Louis Room, Norris University Center, Evanston Campus

Join us for a 90‑minute in-person conversation that creates space to focus on shared questions: Which intellectual tasks should students practice without AI, and how can assignments make that learning observable, assessable, and meaningful? Participants will take away practical strategies for both small and large classes, including ways to structure assessments that make student thinking visible. Throughout the conversation, we will emphasize instructor vitality, underscoring the importance of sustainable, shareable approaches that build on existing practices rather than continual reinvention. Co-sponsored by the Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching and the Office of the Provost. Register.

Academic Kickoff

September 22
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Norris University Center, Evanston Campus

Start the academic year with an interactive introduction to teaching and learning at Northwestern. Designed for first-time teaching assistants, graduate student instructors, and postdoctoral scholars, Academic Kickoff introduces participants to evidence-informed teaching practices, campus resources, and experienced graduate student educators who serve as Kickoff Session Leaders. Through interactive sessions, participants explore strategies for sparking student curiosity and engagement, providing constructive feedback, and navigating interpersonal dynamics in learning environments while building a network of peers and support for the year ahead. Coffee and lunch provided. Reserve your spot.

Research on high-impact educational practices highlights the value of engaging with diverse perspectives, connecting learning across contexts, and participating in meaningful interactions with peers, instructors, and communities. The Litowitz Center's Campus Reading Program advances these goals by inviting students into a shared intellectual experience that extends across courses, disciplines, and co-curricular settings.

Vigil Learning & Teaching Guide

Interested in bringing Northwestern's 2026 Campus Reading Program selection, Vigil, into your teaching? Developed collaboratively by Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement, the Office of Community Enrichment, and the Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching, the new Vigil Learning & Teaching Guide offers discussion questions, teaching strategies, companion resources, and ideas for connecting the text to a wide range of learning outcomes. Whether you are planning a single class discussion or a larger curricular or co-curricular initiative, the guide provides adaptable approaches to help students engage thoughtfully with the text and one another. Explore the guide.

Engaged Learning Grants

New for 2026-27, the Campus Reading Program Engaged Learning Grants provide up to $500 for instructors who wish to incorporate Vigil by George Saunders into a course or learning activity. Sponsored by the Litowitz Center in partnership with the Searle Center, the grants can support course materials, guest speakers, performances, exhibitions and other educational experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. We welcome proposals from all disciplines. Learn more and apply.

Invite us to join your next faculty meeting, retreat, or program discussion. Choose from workshops developed in response to recurring questions and requests from departments and programs across Northwestern, or collaborate with us to design a session tailored to your local goals and priorities. Ready-to-offer workshops include:

Engaging with the Searle Center: Programs, Initiatives, & Resources

Discover how the Searle Center can support teaching, professional growth, and scholarly interests. This presentation highlights opportunities for faculty to engage with programs, services, resources, and a vibrant cross-disciplinary teaching community. Participants learn how to connect with Searle offerings aligned with their goals and career stage. Available as a 15- or 30-minute presentation.

Inclusive Teaching Card Game

Learn, connect, and problem-solve with colleagues through an interactive exploration of Northwestern Principles of Inclusive Teaching. Using realistic classroom scenarios tailored to your teaching context and evidence-based strategy cards, participants discuss approaches to common teaching challenges, share perspectives, and identify practical techniques for fostering belonging, learning, and student success. Available as a 45- or 60-minute workshop.

Contact Greg Siering to start the conversation.

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us at the second annual Community Celebration. We were delighted to celebrate our dynamic community and honor the recipients of the Spirit of Searle Award and the Reflective & Effective Teaching (RET) Certificate of Excellence.

Spirit of Searle Award Winners

From left, back row: Karin Yndestad, Hoda Fakhari, Jennifer Keys (Senior Director of the Searle Center). Front row: Yiji Zhang, Abbie Stringer, Murielle Standley. Not pictured: Savanna Kerstiens, Kevin Warman.

RET Certificate of Excellence Recipients

From left, back row: Emily Barron, Kate Flom Derrick (Assistant Director of Reflective Pedagogy), Citlayi Villaseñor. Front row: Naya Tadavarthy, Pia Rodriguez.