| Date: | Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| Time: | 8:15 am – 3:15 pm |
| Location: | University Conference Center 8th Floor, Close-Hipp Building 1705 College St. Columbia, S.C. 29208 |
Why Attend?
- Participate in faculty-led sessions on teaching strategies and innovation
- Celebrate GARNET Apple Teaching Award recipients
- Hear from a dynamic keynote speaker who will explore current trends
- Enjoy free registration, meals, and networking opportunities
Free for all University of South Carolina educators | Not open to the general public
Call for Proposals
To submit a proposal to lead a 30-minute interactive professional development session at Oktoberbest 2026, please review the Oktoberbest Call for Proposals (CFP) and submit your application.
Oktoberbest Call for Proposals
Keynote Speaker
Megan L. "Meg" Mittelstadt
Assistant Vice President for Learning Initiatives
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Affiliate Faculty Member, Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education
University of Georgia
Dr. Megan Mittelstadt leads university efforts associated with educational development of faculty and graduate teaching assistants, learning technologies, classroom support and learning spaces, instructional media services, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Prior to joining UGA in 2017, Dr. Mittelstadt was the Director of Training and Education for the Landry Cancer Biology Consortium at Harvard University and a Lecturer of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Mittelstadt earned her B.S. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of South Carolina and conducted postdoctoral research in cancer epigenetics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas A&M Health Science Center.
Keynote Address
From Reseach to Recipe: Active Learning for Student Success
Active learning is widely promoted but inconsistently defined and implemented. The keynote will examine how instructors translate active learning into practice and how those choices shape student success. Drawing on research and experience, it will highlight strategies for preparing students, setting expectations, and reducing resistance. Ultimately, it will frame the “secret sauce” of active learning as a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to teaching rather than any single technique.
Oktoberbest Agenda
|
8:15 am – 9:00 am |
Breakfast & Check-In |
|
9:00 am – 9:15 am |
Opening Remarks |
|
9:15 am – 9:20 am |
Introduction of Keynote |
|
9:20 am – 10:50 am |
Keynote Address |
|
10:50 am – 11:00 am |
Break & Transition |
|
11:00 am – 11:30 pm |
Concurrent Session I |
|
11:30 am – 11:40 am |
Break & Transition |
|
11:40 am – 12:10 pm |
Concurrent Session II |
|
12:10 pm – 1:00 pm |
Lunch and Networking |
|
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm |
Garnet Apple Awards Celebration |
|
1:30 pm – 1:40 pm |
Break & Transition |
|
1:40 pm – 2:10 pm |
Concurrent Session III |
|
2:10 pm – 2:20 pm |
Break & Transition |
|
2:20 pm – 2:50 pm |
Concurrent Session IV |
|
2:50 pm – 3:00 pm |
Pretzel Bar Break |
|
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm |
Concluding Remarks and Door Prizes |