Book Circles - Spring 2025

The CTLT hosts book circles every academic quarter and during summers. They are open to all Cal Poly educators. Selected books draw from a broad array of thoughtful and inspiring educational literature. These are opportunities to enrich your knowledge about timely and significant topics related to higher education while engaging with colleagues from across campus. Participants receive a complimentary copy of the selected book with the expectation that they will engage in three or more discussion sessions. Themes for book circle selections include: Mindful Educators, Mastery Teaching, Inclusive Educators, Navigating Academia, Sustainability Educators, and Writing Educators. 

NOTE: Our cumulative Book Circles list of titles is available on the CTLT's Book Circle archival webpage.

Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides

Geoffrey Cohen, PhD

This thoughtful, compelling book about "creating connections and bridging divides" is a timely resource at a era when social divisions run wide and deep. Dr. Cohen, a prominent social psychologist, offers accessible insights into the centrality of belonging in human relations and how to foster it. With Cal Poly's commitment to a more inclusive campus, the insights provided in this book offer ways to shape our campus culture for the better -- often through brief but powerful steps. In this concise talk (12:30 mins) Dr. Cohen previews the book by explaining that belonging is deeply embedded in our human makeup. He notes how critical it is to wellbeing by citing the damaging consequences when we don't have it. Research indicates that isolation activates the same portions of the brain associated with physical pain. "[Prolonged] (i)solation is one of the most toxic social environmental factors out there," he says, that contributes to stresses on mental and physical health. His recommendations empower educators to shape students'  experiences in ways that enhance their engagement and their learning -- especially for minoritized and marginalized students. In addition, the takeaways can also equip us to better manage our relationships with colleagues as we each strive to contribute to making our campus community more inclusive. NOTE: This title is being offered again after high interest and positive responses from Fall Quarter participants.

A "Mindful Educators" selection
An "Inclusive Educators" selection

Dates: Wednesdays, April 16, 23, 30, May 7
Time: 9:10-10 am
Location: Onsite (Chase Hall 104) and online (zoom)
Facilitator: Patrick O'Sullivan, PhD (CTLT)

Register for Spring 2025 Book Circles

10-25: The Science of Motivating Young People

David Yeager, PhD

Have you noticed that current college students often tend to differ from students in past years? If so, you are not the only one -- and you may also be among the many educators who are unsure how to adjust. This book offers science-based insights and recommendations that enhance our abilities to mentor our students more effectively through small but powerful changes in how we engage with them. Dr. Yeager, a prominent social psychologist, has compiled insights and recommendations for greater success connecting with and motivating teens and young adults given their distinctive needs at this phase of their development. He details mentoring models that are far more likely to motivate and engage than the ones we probably inherited ("enforcer" or "protector"). Effective mentors learn to ask authentic questions (with uptake) and strive to match high expectations with high support. The benefits for reducing damaging stress, for linking challenges with purpose, and enhancing belonging all contribute to learning environments that are inclusive by design. Dr. Yeager includes a section on how to put these insights and approaches into practice, when we get to see the benefits for the learners in our sphere of influence. It is not surprising that these same models and practices can benefit other areas such as parenting and professional development.

A "Mastery Educators" selection
An "Inclusive Educators" selection

Dates: Tuesdays, April 15, 22, 29 and May 6
Time: 9:10-10 am
Location: Onsite (Chase Hall 104) and online (zoom)
Facilitator: Patrick O'Sullivan, PhD (CTLT)

Register for Spring 2025 Book Circles