The College of Engineering hosted its annual Biggadike Innovation Grant Teaching Assistant Workshop on Aug. 11-12 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 41 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 and facilitated by faculty and staff from across the College of Engineering: Tish Pohl, Kelly Sullivan and Brandon Crisel (industrial); Kevin Hall (dean's office); Sarah Hernandez, Cameron Murray, and Wen Zhang (civil); Anthony Gunderman (mechanical); Leslie Massey (First-Year Engineering Program); Tammy Lutz-Rechtin (chemical); Abi Moser (UARK Blackboard); Bryan Hill (dean's office); Jay McAllister (University Libraries); Robyn Williams (COE Career Services); Carly Kelly, Kristy Fink and Julie Brogan (dean's office). 

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

The annual Biggadike Innovation Grant Teaching Assistant Workshop equips teaching assistants with the tools they need to succeed; the college is investing in students' academic success and contributing to the broader advancement of engineering education.

Participants:

Aaron Ben-Elijah, Chemical Engineering
Amarjeet Tiwari, Civil Engineering
Ambar Fowler, Chemical Engineering
Andre Hanley, Civil Engineering
Annie Prasanna Manoharan, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Brianna Harris, Civil Engineering
Chase Dykema, Civil Engineering
Chidinma Nwoye, Chemical Engineering
Diwash Pokharel, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Elaheh Shamoushaki, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Enbo Yang, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Ethan McDougall, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Ethan Poag, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Evan Piovesan, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Fatemeh Taghvaei, Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Frank Omar Aparicio Solis, Chemical Engineering
Gibson Nkhata, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Gladys Gawugah, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Jason Thornhill, Civil Engineering
Justin Putman, Chemical Engineering
Kit Heath, Civil Engineering
Mark Alexraj, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Milton Valencia Ortiz, Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Mohsen Faghih Ali Abadi, Industrial Engineering
Nasim Abdoli, Industrial Engineering
Naveen Shiju Joseph, Civil Engineering
Navin KC, Mechanical Engineering
Nikesh Dawadi, Civil Engineering
Oluwaseyi Ayinde, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Robert Russel, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Sarah Martinez, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Sougata Talukder, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Syed Minhazur Rahman, Chemical Engineering
Taiwo Osoko, Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Tiffany Cox, Data Science
Timm McNeese, Chemical Engineering
Uttama Deb, Biological and Agricultural Engineering
William Burroughs, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Xinglan Luo, Data Science
Zeba Hasan, Chemical Engineering