“There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
- Amanda Gorman, Writer and “Change-maker,” is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history
Hello everyone,
The “hurry up and wait” energy following the spring break is upon us, but let’s reframe that energy toward celebrating our graduating students, our colleagues who will soon be honored with awards, and the slowly warming weather! I’m trying a new approach this month, sharing with you a CELT Monthly Newsletter webpage, which not only includes all information in this email message but also displays it using the “accordion” approach that collapses the calendar and each section into a more concise interface. If you like it, please do reach out to let me know – we’re always trying to find ways to help you navigate so much information easily. It’s that time of year when we should be mindful of celebrating the small “wins” and supporting each other as we struggle toward the finish line!
Take care,
Catie
- SUNY Brockport’s Leadership Development Program (LDP) is partnering with the Gandhi Institute to host a workshop open to all SUNY Brockport faculty and staff interested in learning about their signature “Nonviolent Communication” framework (description below). The workshop will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 1 - 3 pm at the Gandhi Institute, 929 South Plymouth Avenue, Rochester, NY. Following the workshop, we will have a brief reception and tour of the Institute so that participants can also get to know more about their staff, events, and programs. For more information and to RSVP, email Carly Fox.
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Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
- Nonviolent Communication (NVC), developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, is a practical framework for transforming conflict into understanding and withdrawal into genuine connection. By moving beyond the habit of judging, demanding, or criticizing, NVC equips individuals and teams with essential skills.
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Learning Objectives
- Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Identify and articulate their core needs and those of others.
- Develop the empathy to understand the humanity behind opposing viewpoints, even in the face of strong disagreement.
- Navigate conflicts constructively by transforming heated disputes into dialogues focused on mutually satisfactory solutions.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to:
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Activities
- This workshop is highly interactive and experiential. Participants will engage in a structured practice session, role-playing exercises based on real-life scenarios, and facilitated group dialogues to immediately apply NVC principles and integrate this consciousness into their daily interactions.
In addition to exploring the many resources available at the CELT website in Brightspace, the “Course Design and Evaluation” section of the CELT website (including the CELT Instructional Design Team and Training & Documentation webpages), and the Teaching Resources webpage, you can reach CELT’s Online Learning Coordinators, Shari and Lyndsay by Requesting an Appointment with an Instructional Designer.
If you would like to learn more on how to enhance your Brightspace courses, review the Online Teaching Guide to investigate our online checklists, best practices for quality course design and planning, online video creation, the Brockport Course Design YouTube Channel, and other Brightspace support and resources.
Experiential Learning leads to higher career growth and success:
“In our 2025 study of early career talent professionals (three years post degree), we found that those who engaged in experiential learning had faster than expected career progression, higher rates of career satisfaction, higher rates of having a mentor in the workplace, higher rates of having a network to draw upon; and an average of $15,000 more in their salaries than their nonparticipating peers.” (National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2026, p. 26). National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2026). 2026 environmental scan.
Spring has Sprung with tons of opportunities and events! Join us and our partners across campus for some amazing initiatives this semester:
- Experiential Learning Grant (Open now through March 27)t
- Innovation Micro Grant applications for Fall 2026
- Scholars Day (April 14)
- Experiential Learning Showcase! (April 16)
Have some incredible projects, events, or opportunities you’d like us to share? Or want to know more about how you can get involved with Experiential Learning at Brockport? Email: ExperientialLearning@brockport.edu.
As we encounter in November each fall, April is “crunch time,” so please consider resources that help you manage your time more efficiently, plan more effectively, and ultimately restore balance to your schedule, all of which are a challenge when fuses grow short and emotions run high: