~ED Talks~ Welcome Letters Reimagined: Building student engagement from day one (Presented by Ashley Stasiewich) In-Person
Welcome letters are a familiar K–12 practice that can be powerfully reimagined in higher education. In this session, Ashley Stasiewich shares how a thoughtfully designed welcome letter with postsecondary teaching can spark student engagement from day one, without requiring design expertise or specialized software. Drawing from examples piloted in multiple classes over several years, this session highlights how a simple, newsletter-style welcome letter can enhance communication with students, foster connection in the classroom, and build a sense of belonging across online, hybrid, and in-person courses.
As a recipient of multiple awards, including the 2024 MacEwan Sessional Teaching Excellence Award and the 2025 Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations (CAFA) Distinguished Teaching Award for Precarious Faculty, Ashley brings a practical, research-informed approach to rethinking how we welcome students into postsecondary learning. This session will be especially valuable for those teaching first-year courses, offering adaptable ideas to support students as they transition into new learning environments.
- Date:
- Wednesday, November 26, 2025
- Time:
- 1:00pm - 1:45pm
- Time Zone:
- Mountain Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- CTL-Kaltura
- Campus:
- Online
- Audience:
- Faculty New Faculty (recommended)
- Categories:
- Active Learning & Engagement Faculty Presentation Hybrid and Online Instruction Instructional Skills