Welcome to the 2025 Professional Track Faculty (PTK) Symposium!
Mark your calendars! The 2025 PTK Symposium is a two-day event taking place on March 6th and 7th, 2025. This year, we’re excited to offer a blend of virtual and in-person programming, guided by the themes of promotion and community.
What to Expect:
- Plenary Sessions: Hear from expert speakers as they explore topics relevant to all members of the UMD community, including the evolving relationship between higher education and the Department of Education, and the impact of today’s political landscape on our academic spaces.
- Breakout Sessions: Attend a range of sessions occurring both in-person and virtually presented by fellow professional track faculty.
- Mentoring and Networking Sessions: Get to know other members of the UMD Community during in-person networking sessions. Get to know the faculty from a range of departments, and learn from your colleagues in mentoring sessions.
While the symposium is an annual event that highlights the contributions and priorities of professional track faculty, we warmly welcome all members of the UMD Community.
How to Register
Registration for the 2025 PTK Symposium is now live! Let us know you are attending here: https://go.umd.edu/PTKSymposium2025Registration
Register now to confirm your attendance and indicate your interest in sessions. Individuals who register by Thursday, February 27th, 2025, will be guaranteed a lunch on Friday, March 6!
Thursday, March 6, 2025 (Virtual)
To start this year’s PTK Symposium, President Pines has prepared a brief welcome video. President Pines’ video will be followed by a plenary panel in which the Provost’s PTK Faculty Excellence Awardees will share insights on teaching, research, and service.
12:30 - 4:30
Thursday's Breakout Sessions will be held on Zoom, with three Zoom Channels.
Details about the sessions are available on the Breakout Sessions page.
Friday, March 7, 2025 (In-Person)
09:30 - 9:45
1211 Prince George's
09:45 - 10:00
1211 Prince George's
Provost Jennifer King Rice will share brief opening remarks for Day 2 of the in-person PTK Symposium.
Plenary Subcommittee Chair, Polly O’Rourke will welcome and introduce Provost Rice to attendees.
10:00 - 11:00
1211 Prince George's
Free Speech and Academic Freedom on Campus
This presentation will cover select free speech and academic freedom topics. It will address the constitutional, legal, and case law principles that underlie and otherwise support expressive activities in this country. It will also identify the narrow categories of speech and conduct that fall outside the protections afforded by those principles. Lastly, it will delve into how the concepts of free speech and academic freedom have played out at the University of Maryland, particularly over the last few years, and offer guidance to effectively balance the twin goals of furthering expressive activity and campus safety.
11:00 - 12:00
1211 Prince George's
Join us for engaging social networking activities where you can build valuable relationships with PTK faculty across the University of Maryland. This is a great opportunity to connect, share ideas, and explore opportunities that can enhance your academic journey. Don’t miss out on the chance to enrich your experience and expand your network!
12:00 - 12:40
1211 Prince George's
12:50 - 4:00
Friday's Breakout Sessions will be held in person, at the Stamp Student Union.
Details about the sessions are available on the Breakout Sessions page.