2023-2024 Program Offerings
ACU provides partner schools with unique and tailored program offerings, such as guest lectures, parent programs, student workshops and faculty/staff professional development.
Student Workshops
Discovery Workshop
The Discovery workshop helps students better understand their core values, strengths and potential careers to maximize their God-given talents. We want students to identify more than their interests; we want them to understand better how God uniquely created them as they consider career aspirations and college majors.
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Capacity: 50 students
Target Audience: High School sophomores, juniors and seniors
Faculty: Dr. Tamara Long, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Life
Creativity Workshop
Join experts from ACU’s Department of Art and Design to learn how creatives use their skills to tackle complex problems. In this workshop, our faculty share insights, explore case studies and engage in hands-on learning as they walk teams through the steps of the design process. Great for students interested in all disciplines.
Time: 1 hour
Capacity: 50 students
Target Audience: High School juniors and seniors
Faculty: Dr. Trey Shirley, Assistant Chair, Department of Art and Design
Information Literacy in a Polarized World: How Do We Sort Through the Noise?
This lecture provides an overview of how to sort through bias to determine what is scholarly communication, if the media is real and trustworthy and what should likely be ignored. As communities, schools and churches discern an ever-growing number of contentious topics, this lecture helps build consensus around the what and why of the current information landscape.
Time: 45 min.
Capacity: Unlimited
Target Audience: All high school students
Faculty: James Wiser, Dean of Library Services & Educational Technology
Classroom Takeovers
Your faculty can turn their entire classroom over to ACU’s best faculty. They’ll collaborate with your school’s faculty to curate a 45-60 minute dynamic learning experience, up to four in one day, that meets your faculty’s desired outcomes.
Faculty and Staff Professional Development
Our prominent faculty and staff are available for workshops, discussions and luncheons. We are able to accommodate specific topic requests you may have for your faculty and staff’s development. Here are a few areas we have prepared for professional developments.
Developing Media Literacy in Secondary Students
Designed for parents, educators and administrators, this workshop combines current research with easy-to-implement activities, equipping students with practical skills to become effective consumers and creators of media. Workbooks included
Time: 1-6 hours, depending on need
Faculty: Dr. Jennifer Shewmaker and Amy Boone
Fostering Grit and Resilience in High School Students
Designed for educators and administrators, this workshop provides a deeper understanding of growth mindset, positive psychology and tangible ways to help students.
Time: 1-2 hours
Faculty: Dr. Tamara Long
I’m a Teacher Who’s a Christian. What Difference Does That Make?
This workshop invites faculty to explore the vocation of teaching from a Christian perspective in order to better articulate how your work participates in God’s mission and consider how your faith shapes what you do in the classroom.
Time: 1-2 hours
Faculty: Dr. Cliff Barbarick
Designing Assignments for Student Success
Research indicates that transparent assignments boost student success in three areas: academic confidence, sense of belonging and mastery of the skills employers value most. Learn about the principles of transparent assignments and consider your own assignments.
Time: 1-2 hours
Faculty: Dr. Laura Carroll
Parent Workshops
Active Media Consumers and Creators
Parents can help their children be active media consumers and creators. Includes parent workbook at no cost.
Time: 1 hour
Capacity: Unlimited
Target Audience: Parents of children 13 and younger
Faculty: Dr. Jennifer Shewmaker and Amy Boone
Planning for College: How Scholarships and Financial Aid Work
This session untangles some of the worries about paying for college for students and their families. We’ll break down the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and explore options to fund college, including scholarships from universities and external sources.
Time: 1 hour
Capacity: Unlimited
Target Audience: High school students and families
Staff: Office of Admissions representative
Raising Resilient Children: Why Failing Is Good
This lecture highlights current research and literature about resilience and provides parents with tangible ways to foster resilience within their children.
Time: 1 hour
Capacity: Unlimited
Target Audience: Parents of all students
Faculty: Dr. Tamara Long
