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JUNE 2025
OTL Welcomes New Director, Dr. Erin Aspenlieder
I’m so pleased to be back at the University of Guelph and to join this community once again. I’ve spent my first weeks meeting new colleagues, reconnecting with familiar faces, and learning more about the innovative and energizing teaching and learning work happening across campus. June has been an inspiring month. The ideas shared through the Course Design Institute, the Teaching with AI Conference, the Assessment Design Institute, and the Program (Re)Design Institute reflect an extraordinary commitment to thoughtful, evidence-informed teaching. These events brought instructors and academic leaders together to explore course structure, assessment practices, program coherence, and the role of generative AI in our classrooms. I’m grateful to everyone who contributed to these rich learning experiences. In stepping into this role, I’m committed to listening closely and working collaboratively. I look forward to learning from your experiences, supporting your goals, and helping to build the conditions for inclusive, engaged, and impactful teaching and learning at U of G. Please don’t hesitate to reach out - whether to introduce yourself, ask a question, or share what you’re working on. You can reach me directly at easpen01@uoguelph.ca I’m so glad to be here. With appreciation, Learning Enhancement Fund (LEF) AnnouncementCongratulations to the researchers who received funding through the 2025 Learning Enhancement Fund. Their projects will inform and support student engagement, access and inclusion and enhance curriculum innovation at the University of Guelph. Please join us in congratulating the successful applicants: Drs. Jane Robson and Kimberley Wilson (Family Relations & Applied Nutrition) Dr. Alex Chan (Clinical Studies), Dr. Fiona James (Clinical Studies), and Brandon Sabourin (Office of Teaching and Learning) Drs. Stephen Mattucci (School of Engineering) and Daniel Grunspan (Integrative Biology) Dr. Jeji Varghese (Sociology & Anthropology), Cara Loft (Office of Teaching and Learning), Sarina Perchak (Office of Indigenous Initiatives), Spencer Martens (The Arboretum), and Allison Young (Sociology & Anthropology)
Highlights and Reflections: 2025 Teaching and Learning Innovations ConferenceTo all presenters, attendees, sponsors, and supporters: We couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for helping our conference grow and thrive. This year’s conference, centered on Cultivating Spaces of Possibility, was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when an engaged community comes together to share ideas, spark dialogue, and imagine new paths forward in teaching and learning. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring the conference to life — to our insightful presenters and thoughtful attendees, our generous in-kind supporters and food sponsors, and the dedicated OTL planning team. Your insights, energy, and collaboration made this event both inspiring and meaningful. We’re excited to continue the conversation next May! A save the date will be sent out in the Fall. - Christopher Laursen and Megan De Roover | Conference Co-Chairs Highlights and Reflections: 2025 Teaching with AI ConferenceWhat an incredible week. Over five days, we welcomed over 1,700 registrants representing 230+ universities, colleges, and K–12 school boards, alongside 80+ industry partners and organizations across the world. Together, we explored the evolving role of AI in education, from policy to practice, ethics to equity, and creativity to assessment design. This conference was more than just sessions and speakers; it was a vibrant community coming together to ask bold questions, share real-world strategies, and shape a more thoughtful, inclusive future for AI in teaching and learning. Thank you to everyone who contributed, attended, presented, supported, and challenged ideas. Your energy and insight made this one of the most dynamic conversations on AI in education in Canada to date. We’re excited to keep the momentum going! Continue to check our newsletter for upcoming workshops and conversations about AI in teaching and learning. - Shehroze Saharan | Conference Chair Farewell and Congratulations to Shehroze Saharan
After five incredible years at the University of Guelph, I’m getting ready to wrap up my time at the Office of Teaching and Learning. It’s not a goodbye—it’s a “see you later.” It’s hard to express just how much this chapter has meant to me. Thank you to everyone who has made these years so meaningful. I’m deeply grateful for the mentorship, collaboration, and friendship I’ve found here. Working alongside such a thoughtful and passionate team has been one of the greatest joys of my career. I’ve truly loved collaborating with the U of G community - staff, faculty, students, and partners across campus. Together, we’ve launched initiatives I’ll always be proud of. These kinds of projects remind me of what’s possible when people come together with curiosity, care, and a shared commitment to improving teaching and learning. It’s been an incredible experience to be part of such a thoughtful and engaged community. While I’ll be stepping into a new role as Director of AI / Senior Manager of Institutional AI Strategy at George Brown College starting in mid-July, I’m not going far. I’m looking forward to staying connected and continuing to collaborate as we all navigate the evolving landscape of education. You can reach me anytime at shehroze.saharan@georgebrown.ca, and I would love to keep in touch. - Shehroze
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