2 May 2025

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Student Matters

Summer 2025 courses are open for registration for continuing students. See the Course Descriptions for more information about each:

• CrCrTh 612,Seminar in Creativity; May 27-July 10, 2025; online only; virtual meetings on June 10th and June 12th, 7:00pm ET
• CrCrTh 627, Issues and Controversies in Antiracist and Multicultural Education; July 14-August 21, 2025; online only, virtual meetings on Wednesdays, 4:00-6:45pm ET

Prospective CCT applicants are reminded that the application deadline for fall 2025 is June 15, 2025. Please refer to the Graduate Admissions information about requirements for applying or contact cct@umb.edu for more information about the program.

CCT Events

CCT Community Open House (online): Spring 2025 Student Presentations
Monday, May 5: presentations are 4:00-6:45pm EDT (in Zoom)
Tuesday, May 6: presentations are 4:00-6:45pm EDT (in Zoom)
Join or leave the Zoom conference at any time.
See the website for the presentation schedule.
RSVP here to receive the Zoom login details in advance of the presentations.
Description: This event includes presentations by students in Critical and Creative Thinking program completing major projects toward their capstone requirement as they finish the MA degree program. All are welcome to attend, including prospective students and all others in the university community.

Reflective Practice Mini-Workshop (virtual): Creative Practices for Reflective Annual Review
Hosted by the Graduate Program in Critical and Creative Thinking, UMass Boston
Thursday, May 15th, 12:00-1:00pm ET, online in Zoom.
Free and open to all. RSVP here to receive the Zoom login information. For more information, see the full description.
The concept of the annual review is familiar in organizations when professionals revisit accomplishments over the year and consider adjustments and approaches to the next year. In this brief workshop, we consider the personal version of the annual review and will introduce creative practices in support of life review and personal self-evaluation. These practices allow us to both examine our assumptions about ideas of personal performance, growth, and goals and also ground ourselves in preparation for the upcoming year. All are welcome, and we invite you to join us as we learn from each other and continue to build our reflective practice.

Alum, Student, and CCT Associates Notables

We share the sad news that former CCT Program Director John Murray has passed away this March. John was director and faculty in the early years of the CCT program, innovating many aspects of the program through his leadership and teaching.

CCT faculty Luanne Witkowski’s exhibit, Quiet disruption, is open from June 4-29 at Kingston Gallery, Boston, MA. Luanne’s work combines of painting, printing, and construction” in expressing the artist’s “peace offerings” in her continuing commitment as an environmental advocate, social activist, and reflective practitioner. 

CCT students, alums, and associates are encouraged to send items about accomplishments, new publications, or offerings to the Critical and Creative Thinking community to be included in future newsletters. Please submit items of interest to cct@umb.edu.

Events

Antiracist Pedagogy Across the Curriculum – 2025 Virtual Workshop
June 2-6, 9:00am-1:00pm Central Time
The 14th annual Antiracist Pedagogy Across the Curriculum (ARPAC) workshop will be held virtually through Zoom on Monday-Friday, June 2-6, 2025, from 9 am-1 pm each day. The award-winning workshop is open to teaching faculty and teaching graduate students from all higher education institutions. This year’s curriculum is thoughtfully redesigned to address the current state of higher education. We invite teams of 2-5 faculty per institution to attend as a cohort. Slots for individuals without a team are also available. For more information, schedules, and registration details, see the website.

Northeast Teacher Clarity Playbook Institute
June 26, 2025, 8:00am-4:00pm ET
Hosted by the Corwin at the University of Southern Maine (Portland, ME)
This institute for educators and professional learning communities emphasizes teacher clarity as a method for aligning learning designs and objectives and support effective classrooms and relationships. For more information, fees, and registration steps, see the website.

2025 Annual Visible Learning Conference
July 21-26, 2025, Las Vegas, NV
2025 Theme: Showtime: Lights, Learning, and ACTION!
This exciting event will bring together educators, researchers, and thought leaders from around the globe to share insights and innovative strategies that spotlight evidence-based teaching practices and illuminate the path to effective learning. Attendees can expect inspiring keynote speakers, engaging sessions, and valuable networking opportunities, all aimed at transforming educational experiences. For more information, see the website.

Creative Problem Solving Institute 2025
June 22-26, 2025, Buffalo State University, Buffalo, NY
Hosted by the Creative Education Foundation
Join us for a week filled with inspiration, innovation, and hands-on learning. We’re offering our signature core workshops, including: Foundations of Creative Problem Solving, Creative Problem Solving Tools, and CPS Facilitation Techniques. Plus, explore unique creative immersion experiences in the mornings and customize your afternoons with a wide variety of breakout workshops designed to spark new ideas.
For more information and registration details, see the website.