The Peoria Area Alumni Network invites you to sample wine and cheese in the company of Redbirds at the breathtaking Mackinaw Valley Vineyard!Say cheers to a beautiful afternoon overlooking the water and vineyards with fellow alumni. Celebrate the common bond that is Illinois State University, and what better way than with a glass (or three) of wine! Guests will also receive a tour, hear from network leader Joe McGuire ’77, and listen to live music.1 p.m., Tasting and cheese pairing2 p.m., Tour of vineyard3-4 p.m., Redbird social timeCost is $15 per person and includes the tasting/cheese pairing, tour of the vineyard, and light appetizers. Additional drinks and items will be available for purchase. Register by 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 23 online or call Alumni Engagement at (309) 438-2586. The suggested age to attend is 21 and older.Stay updated on Peoria area events and connect with fellow Redbirds through the Peoria Area Alumni Network Facebook group.

This session will provide participants with important and usable knowledge to help support students with disabilities in higher education. The presenters will guide you step-by- step through various ways to improve the curation and creation of digital course content. Participants will create an individual plan to update course content using tips and tricks for choosing documents and media universally designed for all students at Illinois State University. Registration is required by Friday, May 30th, 2025.

Got a course plan you want to develop for online delivery? This internationally recognized workshop includes an overview of the Quality Matters Rubric and provides a framework for participants to design an online course plan. An integral element of the workshop is an exploration of the eight General Standards of the QM Rubric, focusing on learning objectives and overall course alignment. Participants will complete a Course Development Plan. The plan includes all of the essential Specific Review Standards (SRS) with space for how the participant will meet the SRS in their course and what resources they will need. Registration is required by Friday, May 30th, 2025.

This week-long workshop series introduces participants to the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), a form of inquiry based on investigating and improving teaching and/or learning.  Through a mix of interactive discussions, case studies, and guided work sessions, participants will explore key SoTL concepts, including research design, ethical considerations, and methods for gathering and analyzing data on student learning. Throughout the week, the facilitator will provide individualized feedback to help participants refine their SoTL questions and align them with effective methodologies. By the final session, participants will have developed a plan for a SoTL project tailored to their disciplinary and institutional context. All participants will be provided a copy of SoTL in Action for use in and beyond the workshop.Applications are required by Friday, May 30th, 2025.

Historic Ewing Manor will be open for public tours from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays, May through September. The last tour will start at 5:15 p.m. A tour will start approximately every 15 minutes. No reservations required. The manor is located at 48 Sunset Road, Bloomington, IL. Parking is across the street at St. John’s Lutheran Church.Ewing Manor is closed on May 26, July 7, and September 1, no tours will be offered on these days.Trained docents will be available to assist the visitors through the three floors of the manor. Tours are without charge, but a $5 donation is suggested for the restoration of the manor. Must be able to climb stairs.Built in the late 1920s by Davis and Hazle Buck Ewing, the channel-Norman-style residence was home to many of Ewing’s efforts to support the causes of education, women’s suffrage, and world peace. Donated to the Illinois State University Foundation upon her death, the Ewing Cultural Center is now home to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and the Genevieve Green Gardens.

Learn strategies and processes for managing difficult classroom situations and facilitating difficult conversations. First, you’ll learn preventative strategies for creating a “safe” classroom environment where students can engage in dialogue that fosters an understanding of diverse perspectives. Then, you’ll learn strategies that will help you intervene in challenging situations and disruptive behaviors in your classrooms. Whether your course covers controversial topics or not, “hot moments” could arise in any classroom. Knowing strategies to deescalate tense situations would help you and your students work through tough issues and create shared understanding. You’ll get a chance to practice the strategies with colleagues in this interactive workshop. Registration is required by Monday, June 2nd, 2025.