NERCOMP Regional Canvas User Group Meeting | March 2026 - In-Person Workshop

Overview

NERCOMP Regional Canvas User Group Meeting | March 2026 - In-Person Workshop

Where: Providence College School of Business
Ryan Center
212 Huxley Avenue
Providence, RI 02918
Directions
Campus Map

When: Thursday, March 12, 2026
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Registration Fee:
NERCOMP Member
Early-bird rate through 2/1/26: $175 (savings of $25)
Member rate after 2/1/26: $200

Non-Member
Early-bird rate through 2/1/26:  $255 (savings of $45)
Non-Member rate after 2/1/26: $300

The registration covers the workshop, morning break, and lunch.

Event Overview
Join fellow higher education professionals at the NERCOMP Regional Canvas User Group Meeting, a collaborative forum designed to spark innovation and enhance LMS strategies. This interactive gathering brings together Canvas users and Instructure experts to explore creative applications, share success stories, and discuss challenges in leveraging Canvas and other Instructure tools. Whether you’re an LMS administrator, instructional designer, or faculty member, this event provides an invaluable opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and strengthen your institution’s digital learning ecosystem.

Don't miss this chance to innovate, integrate, and inspire!

Session Outcomes:
Participants Will:
- Discuss emerging trends, best practices, challenges, and innovative uses of Canvas
- Network with colleagues from across the region to build lasting professional connections
- Utilize actionable strategies and fresh perspectives to elevate your institution’s LMS experience. 

Registration Cancellation Policy:
By clicking the "Register Now" button, you indicate a commitment to attend and will be held responsible for the registration fee. Your fee can be refunded if you notify us of a cancellation at least 5 business days before the event via email to nercomp@nercomp.org.

Event Disclaimer:
NERCOMP reserves the right to use any photographs or other mechanical recordings taken at NERCOMP events in promotional materials. No mechanical recordings of any kind may be used at NERCOMP events without the prior written consent of NERCOMP organizers and presenters. The views and opinions expressed at NERCOMP events do not necessarily reflect those of NERCOMP, nor does NERCOMP make any representation regarding the information presented at NERCOMP events.

Agenda

Agenda

8:00 am-9:00 am  Registration and Coffee (Ryan Atrium)

9.00 am - 9:10 am  Introduction to the Day 
Adam Hauerwas, Academic Systems Architect / LMS Administrator at Providence College
Mary MacDonald, Senior Instructional Technologist at Framingham State University
Ryan Sobeck, Associate Director - Educational and Engagement Technology at Yale University
Lindsey Van Gieson, Director of Technology for Teaching and Learning at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

9:10 am - 10:15 am  Instructure/Canvas Speaker - Smarter Systems, Stronger Connections
Speaker:  Ryan Lufkin, VP of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure 
Exploring how efficiency, personalization, and AI can elevate the student journey. In an era of growing complexity and constrained resources, operational efficiency is no longer a luxury in higher education; it’s a necessity. In this session, we will explore how leading institutions are reimagining the digital campus, integrating systems, and optimizing the learning ecosystem to improve student engagement and institutional performance. Join us for an insights-driven conversation on how to reduce administrative burden, optimize adoption, and deliver high-quality, scalable education without burning out your teams.

10:15 am - 10:30 am Break 

10:30 am - 12:00 pm  Lightning Round Presentations
The Lightning Round presentations are a series of short talks designed to share best practices and insights and encourage conversations about innovative ideas and tips for using Canvas tools. 

Blueprinting for Student Success
Speaker: Erin Kalish, Instructional Designer &Technologist at Wheaton College

This session will present a case study of using Canvas Blueprints in the inaugural First Year Experience Lab course taken by all incoming first-year students in Fall 2025. The Lab course was hybrid and contained instructional content and assignments from three different areas on the Wheaton Campus--the library, Advising, and our Life & Career Design Institute. We used blueprinting to ensure continuity across sections and update the course as the semester progressed. I will describe my planning and implementation process, as well as the challenges that arose, and our future plans for using blueprinting in Canvas.

Implementing CidiLabs DesignPlus at RPI at Work
Speakers: 
Susan Riello, Director of Instructional Design,
Adam Hechler, Director of Technology Systems at RPI at Work

RPI at Work will share their roadmap for adopting Cidi Labs DesignPlus into their Canvas instance, including their software selection process, approach to engaging stakeholders, and planned next steps for implementation.

Canvas Learning Academy at Providence College
Speaker:  Roger Echols, Senior Instructional Technologist at Providence College

This session introduces the Canvas Learning Academy, a professional development course created for Providence College faculty. The three‑tier program covers Canvas essentials and online teaching best practices while awarding Canvas Credential badges—Apprentice, Architect, and Artisan—as participants progress. The Office of Teaching and Learning Technologies supports each tier with tools and interactive activities.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm   Unconference / Roundtable
The afternoon will be a less-structured, more organic opportunity to collaborate and share with fellow attendees. We will crowdsource topics for open discussion and encourage participation from all attendees!

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm  Next Steps / Wrap Up

3:00 pm   End

Speakers

Roger Echols, Senior Instructional Technologist at Providence College

Roger Echols contributes to the future at Providence College's Teaching & Learning Technology department as a Senior Instructional Technologist. Roger actively participates in the transformative impact of new technologies, bringing a hands-on approach to the dynamic intersection of technology and academia.
 

Adam Hechler, Director of Technology Systems at RPI at Work

Adam Hechler is the Director of Technology Systems for RPI at Work, a division of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) dedicated to educating working professionals. Over his 28 years with RPI, Adam has led the digital transformation of the organization, helping create a borderless learning environment that offers adult learners anytime, anywhere access. He is a Canvas Certified Technical Administrator (CCTA) and serves as the primary administrator for the platforms used by RPI at Work, including Canvas, Catalog, Impact, DesignPLUS, and Credly.

 

Erin Kalish, Instructional Designer & Technologist at Wheaton College

Erin Kalish began her career in higher education in the classroom, primarily teaching writing, literature, and humanities courses. In 2022, she switched focus to supporting faculty through instructional design. At Wheaton College, Erin is one of the Canvas admins, supports faculty use of Canvas, and provides instructional design services for on-ground, hybrid, and online courses. She is currently working with faculty to design the course for 3 new 4+1 programs at Wheaton. Erin is passionate about helping faculty create positive and meaningful learning experiences for students through inclusive pedagogy and UDL.

 

Ryan Lufkin, VP of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure

Ryan is the Vice President of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure, where he works to enhance the academic experience for educators and learners, worldwide. With over two decades in the edtech world, Ryan has experience with every major technology platform that institutions use to deliver education, from the LMS to the SIS, and all the systems in between. A well-known thought leader in the edtech industry, Ryan is a podcast co-host, frequent media spokesperson, and speaker at industry conferences and webinars. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations/Communications from the University of Utah and certificates in Data-Driven Marketing and Brand Management from eCornell.

 

Susan Riello, Director of Instructional Design at RPI at Work

Susan Riello is the Director of Instructional Design for RPI at Work, where she designs and develops educational programs for working professionals. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Communications and Instructional Design at Quinnipiac University. Previously, she led instructional design and digital transformation initiatives at the Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence and Quinnipiac University. Susan holds a master’s degree from Quinnipiac University and a doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership from Northeastern University.

Lodging

Hotel Information:

Rooms are available at the Omni Providence.  This session follows the NERCOMP Annual Conference, and those attending can extend their stay by one night.

Reservations: 402-952-6646

Omni Hotel Link - https://events.educause.edu/nercomp-annual-conference/2026/hotel-and-travel

Parking and Entry

Parking: 

You will be emailed a parking pass in advance of the workshop.  

Attendees may park in either the  Ventura Lot or the Anderson Stadium Garage.

Ventura Lot:  https://map.providence.edu/?id=266#!bm/?ce/10975?m/235733?s/
Anderson Stadium Garage:  https://map.providence.edu/?id=266#!bm/?ce/10975?m/172755?s/
 

Slides/Handouts

1. Smarter Systems, Stronger Connections
Speaker:  Ryan Lufkin, VP of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure 

2.  Blueprinting for Student Success
Speaker: Erin Kalish, Instructional Designer &Technologist at Wheaton College

3.  Implementing CidiLabs DesignPlus at RPI at Work
Speakers: 
Susan Riello, Director of Instructional Design, RPI
Adam Hechler, Director of Technology Systems at RPI at Work