NDSU’s annual Teaching and Learning Conference is scheduled to open on Monday, May 23, with a keynote presentation by Shannon Davidson, author of “Trauma-informed practices for postsecondary education: A guide.” Her presentation is titled “How to Implement Trauma Informed Practices (TiP),” is set to run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. via a Zoom webinar link.

The keynote presentation is co-sponsored by NDSU’s Office of Teaching and Learning and the Learning and Applied Innovation Center.

All educators are invited to attend the free virtual keynote address.

During the 60-minute presentation, participants will:

• Gain awareness of trauma in postsecondary education institutions.

• Understand how trauma affects learning and development.

• Learn strategies for how to work effectively with college students who have been exposed to trauma while mitigating the effects of secondary (vicarious) trauma.

The presentation will be followed by a 30-minute question and answer session with Davidson.

According to Davidson’s guide, “Trauma can occur at all stages of life, and learners of any age may come from a background of trauma. Furthermore, many effects of trauma often block a student’s ability to learn in the classroom.”

Stacy Duffield, NDSU Office of Teaching and Learning director, said, “Student mental health needs have risen over the past several years, and especially so during the pandemic. Dr. Davidson’s presentation will be valuable to educators for all levels of learners – K12 through college.”

Davidson is a leader in applied research and evaluation at Education Northwest and has delivered trainings in TiP for postsecondary education at the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine as well as a variety of higher education institutions. A former classroom teacher, Davidson is dedicated to helping partners translate data into meaningful action, using research as a tool to promote learning and improvement. Davidson earned her doctorate in international and comparative education from Stanford University and has a background in both domestic and global issues in education. Her dissertation, funded by a Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad fellowship, was an investigation of mental health education policies and practices in China.

For more information, contact Duffield at stacy.duffield@ndsu.edu or Connie Jadrny, marketing and public relations coordinator, at connie.jadrny@ndsu.edu.

As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.