International Center for Sustainability Across Curriculum (I.C.S.A.C.) 2023 Conference
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) works in partnership with the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) to host an intensive two-day faculty development program entitled the International Center for Sustainability Across the Curriculum (ICSAC) Conference. Growing out of our university’s successful Project Sin Fronteras, the program has a common goal that brings together faculty from all fields, allowing for an exchange of ideas in an enriching collaborative atmosphere. This interdisciplinary experience helps faculty to incorporate sustainability concepts, problems, or solutions into new or existing courses. Experienced faculty and presenters share knowledge on issues of sustainability, environment, and curriculum to support the education for sustainable development in higher education.
Participants will:
- Discover new ways of relating theoretical course content to the real world
- Develop new learning outcomes that breach disciplines
- Learn to apply a variety of learning approaches
- Modify a course to engage learners in deep inquiry through applied learning
- Align personal values with learning outcomes, learning styles, and sustainable development goals
- Share insights with peers across disciplines and forge opportunities for collaboration
The conference is made possible through the generous support of the Office of the Vice President for Operations, Planning and Construction, the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research, and the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Any faculty member committed to developing a sustainability course.
International faculty and community leaders are invited to join local, state, national, and global participants, providing international experiences while opening a range of collaborative and networking opportunities for all. Participation across all academic disciplines is encouraged.
You've worked with them and have seen it first-hand: university students are enrolled because they have a desire to spark change in the world, to improve their communities, and to connect with others. They're looking for guidance in how to lead their peers towards a more sustainable future. Meeting their needs in the classroom means integrating sustainability into courses so that enrolled students begin to develop an understanding of how sustainability connects to their field, how they might conduct research towards sustainable solutions, and how to share their knowledge of sustainable development with others.
It's a tall order: A sustainable class adapts both content and pedagogy to create a learning experience that is more interdisciplinary, experience-based, and focused on authentic problem-solving. Can instructors juggle all of these demands without abandoning disciplinary expertise?
Yes! It is attainable! UTRGV offers over 3,000 sustainable focused/integrated or related courses, many of which have been developed by faculty members who attended ICSAC in prior years. This faculty development program offers a step-by-step solution that empowers you to teach the content that really matters to you and your students - whether you are just starting to learn about sustainability, or are already teaching some elements of sustainability and want to develop a more intensive course.
Registered participants, please bring with you a syllabus for an existing course that you're interested in developing into a sustainability focused or related course. You will receive an instructional design booklet with support tools and frameworks, time to work independently and collaboratively, and guidance from past participants and our knowledgeable staff. By the end of the Conference Professional Development Workshop, you will have either a firm blueprint for a new, exciting course, or a completely redesigned syllabus that's ready to go.
Registration begins September 4, 2023. Deadline is October 13, 2023. Registration includes two full days of training, instructional materials, activities, and food (continental breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks).
The Conference Registration fee is $250 for Non-UTRGV Faculty. Free registration is designated for the first 35 UTRGV Faculty. Two full days completion are required for this program certificate. Faculty members will be required to submit a copy of their syllabus and the curriculum vitae they will be using during the workshop. Please submit these to sustainability@utrgv.edu no later than October 20, 2023. We recommend participants bring their laptops, but it is not required.
The Presenters list is forthcoming
| Day 1 | Day 2 | ||
| 8:00 am | Continental Breakfast and Sign In | 8:00 am | Continental Breakfast and Sign In |
| 8:30 am | Welcome & Opening Remarks | 8:30 am | Welcome Back Remarks |
| 9:00 am | Introduction & Conference Objective | 9:00 am | Session 5: Instruction & Assessment |
| 9:30 am | Session 1: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) | 10:30 am | Break |
| 10:00 am | Break | 10:45 am | Session 6: Interdisciplinary Case in Point |
| 10:15 am | Session 2: Approaches to (ESD) Curriculum Integration Part I | 12:00 pm | Lunch & Keynote Speaker |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch & Keynote Speaker | 1:30 pm | Session 7: Making it Happen |
| 1:30 pm | Session 3: Instructional Design | 2:45 pm | Break |
| 3:00 pm | Break | 3:00 pm | Session 8: Building Community - Highlights & Recognitions |
| 3:15 pm | Session 4: (ESD) Curriculum Integration Part II | 3:30 pm | Closing Remarks & Certificates |
| 5:00 pm | Day One Wrap up | ||
*** Draft Agenda (Subject to change)
The 2023 ICSAC Conference will take place at the Embassy Suites Hotel by Hilton at the McAllen Convention Center on November 10 & 11, 2023, from 8 am-5 pm each day. The workshop will end at 4:00 PM on November 11th. A limited number of rooms will be blocked at the hotel at a reduced rate of $107 USD per day, so book your rooms early! More information may be found on the Embassy Suites website. Please mention UTRGV-ICSAC—International Center for Sustainability Across the Curriculum Conference when making your reservation to get the discount! The group rate ($107 USD) will be allowed and accepted three (3) days pre-arrival and three (3) days post group dates.
NOTE: A method of payment will be collected at check-in for incidental charges only. The hotel does hold credit cards for $50.00 per booking for possible incidental charges. Authorizations are released after guest check out.
You may redeem and earn valuable reward points in Hilton Honors. The hotel provides these complimentary amenities for its guests: self-parking, use of the Hilton Connectivity Station, use of the Fitness Center, in-room internet for all group members, Hotel Airport Shuttle to/from the McAllen Miller International Airport, “Made to order” Breakfast Buffet, outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, and a Manager’s Reception each evening with complimentary light appetizers and beverages.
Airports:
- McAllen Miller International Airport, 2500 S. Bicentennial Blvd, McAllen TX (this is the CLOSEST airport to the Event Hotel. Hotel shuttle, to and from airport, available upon request).
- Rio Grande Valley International Airport, 3002 Heritage Way, Harlingen, TX (this is 45 minutes away & will require additional transportation).
Refunds will be given only two weeks before the starting date of the program. Refunds require 4-6 weeks to process. No refunds will be given on or after the first day of the conference. If you request a refund for any reason, a full refund will be given less $100.00 processing fee and any late charges. If the conference is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, a full refund will be given less a $50.00 administrative fee.
Cancelaciones y reembolsos
Los reembolsos por cancelación se procesarán (no antes de) dos semanas previas al inicio del programa, y el proceso tomará de 4 a 6 semanas. No se procesarán reembolsos por cancelación a partir del primer día del congreso. Si se solicita un reembolso por cualquier motivo, se regresará el monto en su totalidad, a excepción de una tasa administrativa de 100 dólares estadounidenses, al igual que los cargos por mora que correspondieran. Si el congreso se cancelara a causa de falta de asistencia, se reembolsará el importe en su totalidad, a excepción de una tasa administrativa de 50 dólares estadounidenses.
