Back to the Bay 2025
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Back to the Bay, CSUEB's annual professional development event is sponsored by Academic Affairs, Office of Faculty Development, and the Online Campus. Each year since 2003, Back to the Bay brings faculty and staff together to share their expertise, and learn from one another and campus experts about topics of interest to faculty in their roles as teachers, advisors, researchers, users of technology, and active participants in the campus community. Back to the Bay features a variety of workshops on pedagogy, research, governance, and teaching with technology. Back to the Bay is held each August on the Thursday before instruction begins. This year Back to the Bay will be held in the CORE building on the third floor.
Information for the day
Back to the Bay 2025 Program
Session 1: 9:00 - 9:50
Pioneers on the AI Frontier: Faculty’s AI Use and Interest
Discover how CSUEB faculty are using, questioning, and preparing for AI in academia.
This session shares key insights from our campus-wide survey and focus groups,
highlighting current practices, concerns, and priorities for support as we navigate the
evolving role of AI in teaching, research, and service. Presenter: Jacob Miranda |
Location: CORE 301 Great Horned Owl Room
Library Jeopardy! Test Your Knowledge of Library Resources
Come join us for a fun, interactive trivia session diving into the Libraries’ collections of
famous books/authors and coverage of historical events, plus campus history from the
archives. Have fun and explore what Library materials can do for you and your students!
P.S. There might be prizes! Presenters: Diana Wakimoto, Stephanie Alexander |
Location: CORE 306 Golden Eagle Room
Meeting New ADA Accessibility Requirement Informational
Session
Starting April 24, 2026, our campus will be required to ensure that all digital platforms
meet accessibility standards, ensuring equal access for individuals with disabilities in
compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Join us to discuss
what this means for the campus, ongoing efforts, and what you can do to help.
Presenter: Roger Wen | Location: CORE 342 Red-Tail Hawk
A Bridge to Academic Success: 6 common faculty partnerships
with the SCAA
Discover the SCAA’s peer-led academic support programs and ways to collaborate with
us to help improve students’ learning experiences. We will share ways to engage with
us to support your students, including class visits, workshops, and course-embedded
programs. This session will also include an overview of our Nimbus Learning scheduling
platform. Presenters: Rachel Brunson, Matthew Tener, Sara Schupack, Brandon
Everett | Location: CORE 341 Barn Swallow Room
What does being a Mandated Reporter mean?
You are now a mandated reporter. Great! But what does that mean exactly? In this
session with Civil Rights Director, JoLani Hironaka, and Title IX Coordinator Terri La
Beaux, faculty members will be presented with scenarios to discuss that will make the
role of mandated reporter clearer. Presenters: JoLani Hironaka, Terri LaBeaux |
Location: CORE 338 California Quail Room
Session 2: 10:00 - 10:50
OpenAI Champions Training – Building Internal Expertise
This hands-on session equips internal champions with the tools and confidence to
support AI adoption across their campus. Participants will learn how to use ChatGPT
Edu for real workflows and walk away with a Custom GPT designed for their domain.
Please claim your CSU ChatGPT account prior to the event. Facilitators: Andrew
Glenn, Glen Alvarez | Location: SC-N104 Computer Lab
Access Ignited: Faculty-Led Lightning Talks on Disability Justice
Join the Center for Disability Justice Research and Disability Justice Working Group for
Lightning Presentations on Disability Justice! Learn about DJ work happening on
campus and connect with others. We will have up to four 10-minute (lightning)
presentations followed by time to discuss shared interests and future collaborations!
Presenters: Sara McDaniels, Dale Ireland, Sarah Taylor | Location: CORE 338
California Quail Room
The Intersectionality of Basic Needs and Mental Health
Almost 10 years ago, 911±¬ÁÏÍøState East Bay launched Pioneers for HOPE to address
growing concerns about housing and food insecurity among our students. Since that
time, our Student Wellbeing programs to support basic needs have grown exponentially.
In the same period, the picture of student mental health at East Bay and counseling
resources have also evolved significantly. In this session, we will share current trends
on our campus, how basic needs intersect with mental health, and how faculty and staff can
partner to best support our students in the current climate. Presenters: Jennifer Luna, Shauna
Olson Hong | Location: CORE 342 Red-Tail Hawk Room
Strategies for Equitable Teaching in the Social Sciences: Classroom Engagement via Chomskyan Linguistics & Hammondian Trust Generators
Obedience to authority has been the forefront mantra of educators in a post-No Child
Left Behind generation—a context for teaching that presupposes conformity and
“following the rules” as the forefront of academic and economic success. As a
sociologist, I ask how educators can foster mediated classroom discussions, while
building on Hammond’s trust generators to build teacher rapport. Presenter: Sarah
Boroujerdi | Location: CORE 341 Barn Swallow Room
DOUBLE SESSION:
Write On! What’s New with Writing@CSUEB (10-10:25)
Writing Subcommittee will overview the writing sequences required under CalGETC and
the GWAR. We will unveil the Writing@CSUEB website and will provide resources for
faculty teaching writing in the age of AI. We will offer participants multiple avenues for
engaging with writing pedagogies that support students as confident, effective writers.
Presenters: Katie Bramlett, Sarah Nielsen, Michael Rovasio, Sara Schupack,
Michelle St. George | Location: CORE 301 Great Horned Owl Room
Update on Sustainability on Campus: Campus as a Living Lab,
Sustainability Minor, Overlay, and Courses (10:25-10:50)
Come hear from Kathy Cutting (Campus Support Coordinator, CSUEB Concord Center
CSUEB Galindo Creek Field Station Coordinator, Certified UCANR California Naturalist)
and Sharon Radcliff (Sustainability Liaison Officer and Upcoming Chair of the
Committee on Sustainability) about Campus as a Living Lab and Sustainability
throughout the curriculum. You will learn about many ways to integrate campus
elements including gardens into your classes as a living lab, and how to integrate
sustainability assignments and/or the overlay into a course for inclusion into our
sustainability minor. Presenters: Sharon Radcliff, Kathy Cutting | Location: CORE
301 Great Horned Owl Room
Session 3: 11:00 - 11:50
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Anthony Muscat, Provost and Vice
President of Academic Affairs
We are excited to announce that this year’s Back to the Bay keynote speaker will be
delivered by our new provost, Dr. Anthony Muscat. Having grown up in the San
Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Muscat has strong personal and professional connections to
the region. He earned his B.S. in chemical engineering from UC Davis, and
subsequently completed his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering at
Stanford University. With extensive experience in academic leadership, including his
time at San José State University, Dr. Muscat is deeply committed to fostering student
and faculty success. Location | University Union MPR
LUNCH 12:00 - 12:50
Boxed lunches available in University Union MPR
Session 4: 1:00 - 1:50
Humanizing Online Teaching and Learning (or, What AI Will Never
Replace)
Online courses can increase accessibility, inclusiveness, and safety for many students.
But they can also feel isolating, overwhelming, or demotivating for many, including
instructors. This workshop focuses on the practical application of critical, humanizing
pedagogies for online courses. Bring your questions and challenges - we can prep your
course materials together! Presenter: Earl Aguilera | Location: CORE 342 Red-Tail
Hawk Room
Interesting Findings on Use of AI for Assessment of Student Work
This session will present data and interesting findings on the various experiments
performed by the AI Experiment Group on ILO and GE assessment. It will discuss the
opportunities and limitations of ChatGP and CoPilot use for assessment of student
work, with special attention to the implications of the use of these tools for student
grading. Presenters: Ana Almeida, Kevin Kaatz, Ayona Chatterjee, Julie Stein |
Location: CORE 306 Golden Eagle Room
Future Ready: Innovate, Upskill, and Thrive with University
Extension
Discover how 911±¬ÁÏÍøState East Bay’s University Extension serves as a dynamic hub for
collaboration, innovation, and workforce development. This presentation highlights how
faculty, industry leaders, community organizations, and educational partners can
co-create cutting-edge programs that respond to real-world needs. Learn how
partnering with University Extension allows you to shape future-ready talent, build
customized training solutions, and drive meaningful impact across sectors. Let’s build
the future—together. Presenters: Balvinder Kumar, Dan Bellone, Gaby Sotomayor |
Location: CORE 310 Pacific-Slope Flycatcher Study Room 3-8
Enhancing Course Accessibility with UDOIT, TidyUP, and other
Accessibility Checkers
Join us to learn about how to streamline your Canvas course management and meet
accessibility standards. We have two new tools called UDOIT (Universal Design Online
Content Inspection Tool) and TidyUP. UDOIT is a tool that has replaced ALLY in all
Canvas courses. It can identify and assist in fixing accessibility issues in your Canvas
courses. TidyUP is a tool that is integrated in Canvas that can organize your Canvas
files and pages. Additionally, we will go over Microsoft and Adobe Accessibility
Checkers to help prepare documents for accessibility. This session is great for those
who are prepping their courses for the next term and want to meet accessibility
requirements! Presenters: Cheryl Saelee, Shara Cheng, Serena Kohgadai |
Location: CORE 301 Great Horned Owl Room
Walking in Their Shoes: A Reentry Simulation Experience by
Project Rebound
Join Project Rebound for an interactive reentry simulation that puts participants in the
shoes of individuals navigating the challenges of returning to society after incarceration.
This immersive experience offers faculty and staff a deeper understanding of the
barriers formerly incarcerated students face — from securing housing and employment
to accessing education and support services. From a brief experience walking in their
shoes, we hope participants will come away with greater insight, empathy, and
strategies to foster a more inclusive and supportive campus environment. Presenters:
Juleen Lam, Melvin Calaway, Kariim Gamarra, Lavon Godfrey, Sophia Garcia,
Marvin Warren | Location: CORE 341 Barn Swallow Room
The Academic Senate Starter Pack: How to be a Shared
Governance Hero...or at least Not Get Lost in the Rules, Roles,
and Structures
New to Senate or just need a refresher? This crash course unpacks CSUEB’s Academic
Senate structure, key policies, and the role of faculty, staff, students, and administrators
in shared governance. Learn how to navigate rules, roles, and responsibilities. We hope
attendees walk away ready to participate with purpose (and maybe even enjoy it!).
Presenters: Jenny O, Maureen Scharberg, Michael Rowley | Location: CORE 338
California Quail Room
Session 5: 2:00 - 2:50
Build your own AI Teaching Assistant
In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore AI teaching assistants, join an
optional study, and follow an interactive step-by-step process to create their own custom
GPT-powered TA chatbot tailored to their course needs. Participation requires access to
ChatGPT edu and a laptop. Open to all AI user skill levels. Presenter: John Bunce |
Location: CORE 301 Great Horned Owl Room
CFA Bargaining Updates
Join your fellow CFA East Bay members for a bargaining update! Learn about what's
been going on at the table with CSU management as we continue contract negotiations.
We will also cover other key campus updates relating to ongoing budget cuts and
chapter issues that impact faculty and student experiences. Presenters: Amara Miller,
James Murry, Stephanie Seitz | Location: CORE 306 Golden Eagle Room
Pending Agreement: What does that mean anyway?
What does “Pending Agreement” Mean? Some accommodations are more complicated
than others. Let’s talk about how to navigate through them together. Presenter:
Rochelle Thompson | Location: CORE 341 Barn Swallow Room
SLIC Ways to Get Your Students Involved on Campus
Hear from the Student Leadership and Involvement Center SLIC (formerly Student Life)
on how to encourage your students to get involved on campus. Discover how SLIC
provides opportunities for student learning beyond the classroom through the
coordination of a variety of programs including New Student Orientation, Transfer
Student Programs, Parent and Supporter Programs, Recognized Student
Organizations, and Leadership Initiatives. Presenters: Jule Custodio, Valerie Grace
Amoin, Stephanie Ann Lustina | Location: CORE 338 California Quail Room
How to Grade the Ungraded Classroom
Since the 2020 publication of Susan Blum’s Ungrading: Why Rating Students
Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead), ungrading pedagogies have gained
traction nationally and on our campus. While ungrading promotes process learning,
there are drawbacks for students and faculty. This panel will discuss how to navigate
ungrading amidst challenges. Presenters: Mike Rovasio, Eve Higby, Stephanie
Zaleski | Location: CORE 342 Red-Tail Hawk Room
Drop-In Accessibility Working Session I
To work towards making sure that all course materials in Canvas are accessible, we are
hosting a 2-hour working session designed to help faculty create fully accessible course
content and remediate existing documents. Whether you need guidance on formatting,
multimedia accessibility, or specific tools and techniques, this session is the perfect
opportunity to get the assistance you need. Bring your questions, challenges, and
materials—let’s work together to create an inclusive learning environment for all!
Facilitators: Cheryl Saelee, Shara Cheng, Serena Kohgadai | Location: CORE 310
Pacific-Slope Flycatcher Study Room 3-8
Session 6 3:00 - 3:50
Tech, Textbooks, Tutoring, and More: Leveraging the Library for
Student Success
The Library provides more than just textbooks! Learn about the many services and
resources the Library provides that you can share to help your students succeed. From
tutoring to tech borrowing, academic skills coaching to research assistance, fun reading
to board gaming, we have something for everyone. Attend this session to learn more.
Facilitators: Rachel Brunson, Kate Pham I Location: CORE 306 Golden Eagle
Room
Turnitin Deep Dive: Exploring the AI Indicator and Similarity
Report in Canvas
In this workshop learn about the AI indicator in Turnitin, which is the tool currently
available to all faculty in Canvas to check student work for AI. We will review the
Similarity Report and the AI indicator, as well as how assignment settings and
assignment types can influence the results. This session will include how the Turnitin
Similarity Report and the AI Indicator can be used to start conversations with students
about their writing process, and also include a review of demonstration papers using
both the Similarity Report and the AI Indicator. Presenters: Leann McArthur, Cheryl
Saelee | Location: CORE 301 Great Horned Owl room
Reclaiming Higher Ed: Fighting for the Soul of the University
Higher education is under attack. Join us to resist austerity, defend diversity, and fight
back against corporate models and political repression. We must reclaim the university’s
democratic mission: empowering students to think critically, act responsibly, and engage
democratically—advancing equity and fostering the liberatory knowledge essential to a
just society. Presenters: Duke Austin, Amara Miller, G Reyes | Location: CORE 338
California Quail Room
DOUBLE SESSION:
Prospecting, Writing, and Winning Grants (3:00-3:25)
This session will provide tips and tools for prospecting, writing, and winning grants in the
current context. Non-federal grants will be highlighted. Attendees will have time to share
their RSCA project ideas and ask questions. Presenters: Linda Dobb, Sarah Nielsen |
Location: CORE 342 Red-Tail Hawk Room
Beyond the Hill: Building Cradle-to-Career Systems with–and in–
Our Community (3:25-3:50)
Since 2011, CSUEB has led the Promise Neighborhood initiatives to build a
cradle-to-career system that supports student and family success. Learn how this
cross-sector work aligns policy, research, and practice—and how CSUEB faculty and
staff can get involved in community-based, equity-driven transformation.
Presenters: Edgar Chavez, Junia Kim, Crystal Malagon, Julian Uribe, Mariana
Triviso | Location: CORE 342 Red-Tail Hawk Room
Ask Us Anything : AS Accommodations
Always wondered how students are approved for accommodations, or whether
accommodations are requirements or recommendations? Then join us for this
discussion. Accessibility Services will review our Faculty Resources page, followed by
an open forum for folks to ask any questions they have about our office. Presenter:
Rochelle Thompson | Location: CORE 341 Barn Swallow Room
Drop-In Accessibility Working Session II
To work towards making sure that all course materials in Canvas are accessible, we are
hosting a 2-hour working session designed to help faculty create fully accessible course
content and remediate existing documents. Whether you need guidance on formatting,
multimedia accessibility, or specific tools and techniques, this session is the perfect
opportunity to get the assistance you need. Bring your questions, challenges, and
materials—let’s work together to create an inclusive learning environment for all!
Facilitators: Cheryl Saelee, Shara Cheng, Serena Kohgadai | Location: CORE 310
Pacific-Slope Flycatcher Study Room 3-8
Dr. Anthony Muscat
911±¬ÁÏÍøState East Bay Provost
We are excited to announce that this year’s Back to the Bay keynote speaker will be delivered by our new provost, Dr. Anthony Muscat. Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Muscat has strong personal and professional connections to the region. He earned his B.S. in chemical engineering from UC Davis, and subsequently completed his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering at Stanford University. With extensive experience in academic leadership, including his time at San José State University, Dr. Muscat is deeply committed to fostering student and faculty success. Location | University Union MPR