2025 No-Strings-Attached Summer Book Club

The New College Classroom

This summer, the Faculty Center invites you to join a flexible, go-at-your-own-pace book club centered on The New College Classroom by Cathy N. Davidson and Christina Katopodis. Grounded in learning science and practical pedagogy, the book offers concrete strategies for rethinking lectures, assessments, and classroom dynamics across disciplines. Whether you're new to active learning or seeking to deepen your practice, it helps you reimagine your classroom with equity, engagement, and purpose in mind.

Designed to fit your summer rhythm, this no-pressure offering welcomes inspiration, reflection, and connection. As part of a Communities of Practice (CoP) approach, groups may range from 2 to 10 members and can include faculty, librarians, staff, and administrators engaged in teaching, learning, and advising.

Registration has closed for 2025.

How It Works

We provide the book. 

• The book is available as an e-book – BUT the Faculty Center has purchased 50 paperback copies for those of you who prefer to read from a physical book. 
• The hardcopies are first-come- first served, so register early! 

You choose how to engage:

• Find some colleagues and create a small discussion group (2–10 people).
• Choose a facilitator (the person who will register your group).
• Choose a focus or decide to read the whole book! 
• Read at your own pace. 
• Schedule time(s) to meet. Just aim to finish by the end of summer.
• Gather with colleagues and enjoy the discussion in places and at times that work for you (asynchronous, synchronous in person, synchronous online).

What's the Catch?

There isn’t one. (Except that you should register ASAP . . . if you’d like a hardcopy!) (We have hardcopies for the first 50 participants who request one!)

Optional Strings: Earn Up to 3 Certificates of Engagement

Looking to reflect more deeply, apply your learning, or share your insights? You can opt into earning up to three digital certificates through your participation in the book club.

Learn Certificate

• Participate in at least 2 group meetings.
• Submit a short plan for how you’ll apply insights from the book in Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026.
• Submit via a short Google form (link provided after registration).

Enact Certificate

• Earn the Learn certificate first.
• Put your plan into action in the 2025–2026 academic year.
• Share the results with the Faculty Center short Google form (link provided after registration).

Share Certificate

• Earn the Learn certificate first.
• Share your plan or outcomes in a public venue outside your book group (e.g., department PD, conference, Faculty Center event, grant proposal, manuscript draft).
• Complete a short dissemination report via a short Google form (link provided after registration).

About the Summer Book Club

Every summer, the Faculty Center hosts a Summer Book Club where you can enjoy reading at your own pace and then engage in stimulating discussions with fellow faculty members.

In previous years, we've offered either a single book or a selection of books to choose from. Stay tuned for this year's exciting plans, which will be announced closer to summer. 

Previous Summer Book Clubs

Updated 07.03.25