Learning Collaborators
Do your responsibilities involve creating, promoting, or supporting the learning of UMD faculty or staff?
If so, you’re in the right place! The Learning Collaborators is a UMD community of practice dedicated to supporting the learning needs of faculty and staff. Whether you design training programs, facilitate workshops, develop learning resources, or simply want to connect with others who do, Learning Collaborators is here to foster collaboration. Together, we share best practices, exchange resources, strengthen skills (like instructional design), and support one another in our learning-related roles. Join us and be part of a network that’s shaping learning and development across UMD!
New to a learning role?
Email traindev@umd.edu to get connected!
Already a Learning Collaborator?
Visit our Learning Collaborators' Google Drive full of resources!
Learn More
The Learning Collaborators (LC) builds upon the foundation established by the former Training Partners network, evolving to better reflect the collaborative and dynamic nature of learning and development at UMD. This group serves as a community of practice for faculty and staff who create, promote, or support learning at the university.
LC exists to enhance the impact of faculty and staff learning and development by fostering collaboration, innovation, and resource-sharing across campus. With UMD’s decentralized structure, professional development efforts often happen in silos—LC connects learning professionals to align strategies, strengthen best practices, and support each other in our shared mission.
LC is committed to empowering learning professionals across UMD by:
- Collaborating on strategic learning initiatives that benefit the broader campus community.
- Strengthening skills in instructional design, facilitation, and other learning-related practices.
- Sharing resources, insights, and best practices to enhance training programs and initiatives.
- Promoting employee engagement and talent development through meaningful learning experiences.
- Drive Innovation – Develop and implement new learning and development initiatives that support UMD’s evolving needs.
- Facilitate Communication – Serve as a conduit for sharing information between faculty, staff, and leadership.
- Advocate for Learning & Training – Represent the learning and development needs of various units and contribute to decision-making.
- Build Connections – Foster a network of learning professionals who can benchmark, discuss, and align best practices for faculty and staff development.
The Learning Collaborators (LC) meets once a month to foster ongoing collaboration, share resources, and discuss emerging trends in faculty and staff learning and development. Our meetings are designed to be flexible and accessible, alternating between fully virtual sessions on Zoom and hybrid sessions that combine in-person participation with a virtual option.
This monthly cadence ensures that:
- Members can stay informed on key learning initiatives and developments across campus.
- There are regular opportunities to share best practices, challenges, and insights.
- We can collaborate on learning projects and support each other in our roles.
- The group remains an active and engaged community, with meaningful discussions and shared learning experiences.
Meeting details, including format (Zoom or hybrid), location, and agenda topics, are shared in advance. Whether you're joining virtually or in person, LC meetings are a space to connect, learn, and contribute to UMD’s learning and development efforts!
Our Current Work
The Learning Collaborators (LC) is actively enhancing learning and development opportunities for UMD faculty and staff. Our work is accomplished through subcommittees that focus on key initiatives as determined by each group.
Accessibility & ESL Support
This subcommittee works on making sure everyone can access and understand information, including people with visual, hearing, thinking, or learning differences. It also helps support those who are learning English or improving their digital skills. The goal is to make things fair and easy for everyone by using clear design, offering different ways to learn, and creating an inclusive environment.
Individual Contributor Development & Support
This subcommittee supports UMD staff who don’t have supervisory roles, like administrative professionals or employees who may want to become supervisors one day. We offer helpful tools, training, and guidance to help them grow in their careers, build new skills, and stay engaged in their work. Our goal is to help every individual contributor succeed and move forward in their professional journey.
Supervisory Development & Support
This subcommittee provides resources and guidance for supervisors of staff (professional and undergraduate) at UMD, helping them navigate leadership responsibilities effectively. Our goal is to equip supervisors with tools, training, and best practices to foster employee growth, engagement, and success.
Learning Technology
This subcommittee looks at technology tools, pricing, and buying processes to support learning at UMD. We focus on using- improving platforms like Workday Learning, using AI to support training, and finding ways to make learning easier and more effective via technology. Our goal is to find and share the best ways to use technology to help staff grow and succeed in their professional development.
By collaborating in smaller groups, we ensure that our efforts are targeted, innovative, and impactful, supporting UMD’s broader learning community through shared resources, expertise, and strategic initiatives.
Meet Our Learning Collaborators
We invite you to explore and connect with our Learning Collaborators, who contribute to creating enriching learning experiences across UMD.
Learning Collaborators Google Sheet