On October 30, 2025, The Office for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning hosted its second annual Fall Symposium successfully in the ballroom of the URI Memorial Union. This year’s theme was celebrating those who teach outside the box. With over 60 URI faculty and staff in attendance, the symposium was a powerful reminder that the best educators don’t just teach, they walk alongside students, helping them navigate the twists and turns of their academic and personal journeys.

Our keynote speakers this year were Scott Carlson and Ned Laff who are the authors of Hacking College: Why the Major Doesn’t Matter—and What Really Does. Their keynote explored the idea that career paths are rarely linear and that mentorship and flexibility are key to student success. We also had two panel discussions, the first one “URI and the Community” focused on how faculty and staff help students connect academic coursework and experiential learning to their life and career goals. The second panel discussion, “Meeting Students Where They Are”, highlighted campus resources that help students succeed throughout their time at URI, emphasizing inclusive approaches. Follow by the Bridge Building Discussion, attendees participated in meaningful conversations centered around shared interests, sparking cross-campus collaboration and the exchange of ideas.