ADCET UDL Symposium: Building an Institutional Culture of UDL - Empowering University Faculty to Foster Learner Agency
Online presentation
The Goodwin University's journey toward comprehensive Universal Design for Learning (UDL; CAST, 2024) implementation demonstrates how strategic, multi-phase engagement can transform teaching and learning practices across higher education.
Since 2016, a small northeastern, American university has revolutionised its approach to teaching and learning by weaving UDL into every aspect of their institutional fabric. What started as a vision has blossomed into a comprehensive model that spans their entire university ecosystem.
This presentation detailed their systematic, scaling approach to building UDL awareness, implementation, and expertise through interconnected initiatives: faculty professional learning cohort development, an educational UDL podcast series, recurring online webinars, and an annual national conference. The cascading effect of this multi-modal faculty professional learning is evident in course redesigns that shift from an educator-centered to learner-centered approach. By optimising the UDL 3.0 guidelines, such as optimising choice and autonomy (7.1), building fluency through graduated support (5.3), increasing accessibility (3.2), and faculty work to enhance learner agency and student success with attaining learning outcomes.
This session explored their institutional journey, including the +1 solutions approach with UDL implementation of incremental changes accumulated to create significant impact with inclusive course design. Tangible results included student and faculty reports and survey findings of improved course design, flexible formative learning assessments, and equitable scaffolding of course assignments and learning activities.
The holistic ripple effects extend beyond the classroom, influencing student affairs programming, promoting robust instructional design, and creating a culture where learning innovation thrives in faculty, professional staff meetings, and committee work. The experiences, successes, and lessons learned were shared with participants, who then reflected on how they can adapt a similar strategy that resonates with their institutional context and culture.
Presenters
Dr Annjanette Bennar, Ed.D., serves as the Director for the Center for Teaching Excellence at Goodwin University in Connecticut, where she is also a Senior Teaching Fellow and Full Professor. After completing her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Capella University in 2024, Dr. Bennar has focused on advancing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in higher education. In her role as a Senior Teaching Fellow, she has co-facilitated UDL Professional Learning Institutes at various universities nationwide. Dr. Bennar has published and delivered presentations on UDL implementation in multiple academic venues, contributing to both institutional development and the broader educational community.
Dr Robert LeGary Jr., Ed.D., is director of the Master of Education in Teacher Leadership Joint Degree Program at Goodwin University and University of Bridgeport, an associate professor, and a senior teaching fellow. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Hartford. For 20 years, Rob has served as a school administrator and program developer in the special education field. Rob also has taught, developed courses, and co-facilitated professional learning in higher education since 2003. He has published, presented, and consulted on UDL pedagogy in higher education and K-12 education. Rob is passionate about UDL and inclusive teaching practices.
(June 2025)