See last year’s Agenda, This year’s agenda will be posted closer to the event date. See below for a sampling of opportunities.
All times are in Central Time and most events will be held at the College of Education building, 1310 S. 6th Street, Champaign, IL 61820
This agenda serves as a facilitator to accomplishing the gathering’s mission. It includes a combination of informal and formal learning, progression, networking, and social opportunities.
- Thursday Focus: Individual progress; peer, faculty, and campus and community connections
- Friday Focus: Combination of formal and informal programming; peer, faculty, and campus connections
- Saturday Focus: Peer and alumni-led formal and informal programming; peer and campus connections
You can find the Education Building (Building 160) on the Campus Maps weblink, along with other useful maps of campus.
Individual Planning Suggestions
The following options are available mostly between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM and require students to schedule their own appointments and/or register.
Advising and Career Development
- Individual or Group Advising Sessions with your faculty advisor, co-advisor, the Online Program Advisor, or the Assistant Director of Online Programs
- Meet with your examiners or doctoral committee members
- Meet with other faculty members
- Informal discussions with peers and LDL advisor in the O’Leary Lounge
Research and Writing
- Visit a UIUC Library
- Research elevator pitch (describe your research in less than 3 minutes)
- Participate in the Writing Retreat (2, 4, or 6 hour sessions) (registration required)
- Poster Exhibit Hall (open house style without presenters)
Other
- Obtain an icard with your picture on it (you must be actively registered during the current semester)
- Take a free digital headshot picture at the The Professional Portrait Lab located in the Illini Union
- Visit the Krannert Art Museum (500 E Peabody Dr, Champaign, IL 61820) across the street from the CoE
- Hang out in the LDL Connects Lounge (in the O’Leary Learning Center; basement of the Education building)
Day 1 High Level Agenda – Small Group Options
The majority of these options involve you coordinating you own agenda, but we have scheduled some optional formal opportunities.
On-Campus Options: 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM (see next section)
- Graduate College Workshop: Hands-on session as a follow-up to virtual session held prior to the in-person gathering; Refer to the PDF agenda for specific topics
- Writers Workshop: Hands-on session as a follow-up to virtual session held prior to the in-person gathering; Refer to the PDF agenda for specific topics
- Data Workshop – Bring your data or data analysis plan
- Writing Retreat
- Poster Exhibit Hall (open house style without presenters)
- Open Lounge
- Siebel Center for Design Tour or Working Sessions
- Optional Explore Local Community (see C-U Local Area)
- Optional Dinner with Peers
- Optional event based on campus calendar (i.e. Illini Women’s volleyball game, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, etc.)
Sign Up Instructions for Individual Sessions
| Person | Description | Contact/Scheduling |
|---|---|---|
| Brianna Davis | -Academic progress and degree audits -Program policies and procedures -Course registration and course options -Questions about plan of study and program requirements -Student support and resources available to online students | www.calendly.com/bdavisofficehours |
| Travis Giffin | This appointment is reserved for students in online programs at the College of Education. This appointment can be used to gain guidance about career services, job search support, resume feedback, LinkedIn review, job interview prep, and anything else you may wish to discuss related to your career. | https://calendly.com/uiuctgiffin/officehours?month=2023-07 |
| Dr. Cope or Dr. Kalantzis | -Discuss your tentative dissertation topic -Discuss your research methodology -Other, as needed | Contact Kara Francis |
| Dr. Kara Francis | -Anything related to your degree program -Anything related to the Exam-Dissertation Sequence | Drop-In appointments only between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. CT O’Leary Learning Center |
| Other Faculty Advisor and/or Committee Members | Contact them directly |
Day 2 High Level Agenda (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Student Lightning Talks
- Department Head Q&A
- Visit by the Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Chrystalla Mouza
- Visit by the Dean of the Graduate College, Dr. Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko
- Faculty Panel
- Poster Exhibit Hall (open house style without presenters)
- Graduation Ceremony and Hooding
- Optional: Attend a local event, such as an Illini Women’s Volleyball game (free with a current student ID) or performance at the Krannert Center
- More to be added!
Day 3 High Level Agenda (9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
- Final Day Kick-Off
- In-Person Peer Reviews
- Bill’s Famous Campus Tour
- Group Photos
- Poster Exhibit Hall (open house style with presenters)
- Writing and Feedback Sessions
- Structured Networking
- Concentration-Specific Dinner (time and location varies by concentration)
- Optional: Attend a local event, such as a performance at the Krannert Center
- More to be added!
Recap of LDL Connects 2023
This gathering involved both structured and unstructured programming, allowing for flexibility on when to arrive and how attendees used their time. We encouraged students and alumni to build an agenda for themselves on September 30th based on what they needed. We also encouraged collaboration with peers in establishing their schedule.
The agenda was fluid based on those who registered and ultimately those who attended.
- Keynote presentation from the College of Education Dean, Dr. Chrystalla Mouza
- Student poster presentations
- Faculty remarks
- Q&A by the EPOL Department Head, Dr. Yoon Pak
- Presentations by visiting partners from Japan
- Writer’s Workshop: Maintaining Momentum
- Career development sessions:
- Graduate College Workshop: Values-based decision-making
- Tour of the Siebel Center for Design
- Advising sessions
- Writing retreat
- Campus tours
- Open Lounge, individual and collaborative working sessions
- Networking opportunities
- Social opportunities (Illini volleyball game and concluding dinner)
and… the most amazing weather!
Please note COVID-19 Safety Protocols: Please visit covid19.illinois.edu/on-campus/visitors for the most current information for visitors.