The College of Engineering hosted its inaugural Biggadike Innovation Grant Teaching Assistant Workshop on Aug. 14 and 15 to prepare graduate students and instructors for the academic year and enhance the quality of education within the college.

Developed and hosted by Department of Civil Engineering associate professors Sarah Hernandez and Cameron Murray, the two-day workshop attracted 45 participants for invaluable insights, tools and strategies. As the college gears up for the academic year, the workshop served as an important avenue to ensure teaching assistants are prepared to excel in their roles.

Faculty and staff leaders engaged participants in a series of interactive sessions designed to cover a diverse range of topics. The workshops delved into essential areas including roles and responsibilities, active learning methods, effective use of board notes, holding productive office hours, harnessing the power of online Blackboard tools, mastering the art of grading and ensuring classroom and lab safety. 

Sessions were led by faculty and staff from across the College of Engineering: Eric Fernstrom (civil), Kevin Hall (Dean's Office), Sarah Hernandez (civil), Tammy Lutz-Rechtin (chemical), Abi Moser (UARK Blackboard), Bryan Hill (Dean's Office), Jay McAllister (University Libraries) and Sarah Langley (COE Career Services). A panel of experienced teaching assistants and graduate students held a lively discussion about the joys and challenges of teaching at the U of A. The panel included Riasad Mahbub, Hasan Shahriar, Brianna Harris and Julia Hoskins.

The program culminated with participants delivering microteaching demonstrations facilitated by faculty mentors Kelly Sullivan (industrial), Becca Muenich (bio and ag), Wen Zhang (civil), Aysa Galbraith (FEP) and Leslie Massey (FEP). 

At the close of the workshop, participants who successfully completed the training received certificates recognizing their commitment to enhancing their teaching skills.

The success of the first annual Biggadike Innovation Grant Teaching Assistant Workshop ushers in a new era of teaching excellence for the College of Engineering. By equipping teaching assistants with tools they need to succeed, the college is investing in students' academic success and contributing to the broader advancement of engineering education.

Participants

• Barira Rashid, Biological and Agricultural Engineering
• David Chem, Chemical Engineering
• Damilola Fadipe, Chemical Engineering
• Muhi Muntaka, Chemical Engineering
• Vashanti Storr, Chemical Engineering
• Samikshya Adhikari, Civil Engineering
• Baldev Giru, Civil Engineering
• Amanda Parolini Dutra, Civil Engineering
• Samia Parveen, Civil Engineering
• Bette Poblete, Civil Engineering
• Saurav Pokharel, Civil Engineering
• Pratik Pokharel, Civil Engineering
• Sugar Siwal, Civil Engineering
• Adhish Paudel, Civil Engineering
• Emaduddin Ahmad, Civil Engineering
• Caleb Olutumde, Civil Engineering
• Ajay Abburi, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Sri Mohan Abburi, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Nhat Tan Bui, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Thanh Bui, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Saeid Ghomi, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Landry Emery Ishimwe Karangwa, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Andre Jones, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Vishnu Sampath Kunda, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Tamanna Nazmin, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Luca Greenway, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Fred Felizco, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Byron Denham, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Fred Shumbusho, Computer Science and Computer Engineering
• Meerim Seiitova, Data Science
• Bismark Asamani, Electrical Engineering
• Logan Gentry, Electrical Engineering
• Mustafa Mhawesh, Electrical Engineering
• Andrew Perez, Electrical Engineering
• Hui Wang, Electrical Engineering
• Devin Yocum, Electrical Engineering
• Nayan Chakrabarty, Industrial Engineering
• Kon Kon Das, Industrial Engineering
• Md Rashedul Hasan, Industrial Engineering
• Fardeen Islam, Industrial Engineering
• Shantonu Mitra, Industrial Engineering
• Kazi Humayra, Shams, Industrial Engineering
• Md Asif Khan Sharon, Industrial Engineering
• Moein Hemmati, Interdisciplinary
• Mohammad Ishraq Hossain, Mechanical Engineering