Rocket Scientist, #1 Best-Selling Author, Distinguished Lecturer, Fellow of Higher Education Academy, ABET Commissioner, Teacher of the Year
Teaching should be energizing, not exhausting. Yet many faculty today are navigating growing demands, shifting student expectations, and classrooms that feel harder to engage than ever.
My programs help educators re-energize their teaching with practical, research-informed strategies that increase student engagement, build confidence, and improve learning outcomes—without adding more work to already full plates.
I’ve been in your shoes. As Teacher of the Year at Utah Valley University, a Distinguished Lecturer for AIAA, a Fellow in the Higher Education Academy, and an ABET evaluator for more than a decade, I’ve worked alongside faculty facing these same challenges. These programs were created by an educator for educators, so you’ll leave with practical tools you can use immediately.
Explore the programs below to see what might best support your faculty and students.
Keynotes
CREATING IMPACT: How to fall in love with teaching again
Many educators entered the classroom to make a difference, yet mounting demands and disengaged students can make that impact harder to see. This keynote reconnects educators with their purpose while introducing practical strategies that spark student engagement and build lasting confidence. Participants leave energized and equipped with tools they can use immediately to create momentum for learning long after class ends. Want to Learn More?
SQUASHING THE IMPOSTER SYNDROME: Embracing Your Confidence
Most professionals have felt it at some point: that quiet voice suggesting you don’t belong, you’re not qualified, and sooner or later someone will discover the truth. Imposter syndrome doesn’t just affect individuals; it quietly limits organizations when talented professionals hold back ideas, hesitate to lead, or second-guess decisions they’ve earned the right to make. This engaging keynote combines research and real-world experience to equip audiences with practical strategies for recognizing imposter thoughts, reframing self-doubt, and stepping forward with greater confidence. Attendees leave with tools they can use immediately to communicate their expertise, contribute more fully, and lead with their unlimited potential. Want to Learn More?
BUILDING OTHERS BY BEING A CHAMPION
The most powerful thing a leader can do is help someone else believe in themselves. This keynote explores how championing others creates a ripple effect of confidence, growth, and organizational success. Through real stories of career transformation, you’ll discover how small acts of advocacy ignite talent and inspire people to reach further than they thought possible. You’ll leave with concrete actions to uplift the people around you and foster a culture that unlocks everyone’s unlimited potential. Want to Learn More?
Trainings
Breaking Down Enrollment & Retention Barriers: 4 simple techniques to student engagement
Are you struggling to find training for your faculty that seeks to teach practical skills that can be immediately used? This training provides a positive, safe space to learn engagement techniques that have been proven to increase not only overall teaching effectiveness but also the recruitment and retention of underrepresented populations.
Some common points of frustration include: theory without practical skills, defensiveness, and feeling that no matter what, they are doing it all wrong. Care is taken throughout this training to alleviate each of these reactions. Additionally, a model is offered to create self-sustaining, cost-effective ongoing training through a Train the Trainer Program. Want to Learn More?
Transformative Teaching: Evidence-based strategies for enhancing student engagement and reducing workload
It’s a fact: faculty members are responsible for doing it all. Finding ways to motivate students to learn and be active in class typically requires an effort we just don’t have time for even though we desire the best for our students. Learn three engagement principles that you can walk out of the half-day workshop with and immediately use in your next class which will reduce your overall teaching workload while increasing student motivation. Come ready for an engaging working session! Want to Learn More?
Micro-Messaging: Unleash the Power of Subtle Communication
In today’s dynamic academic landscape, micro-messages take center stage as the catalyst for exceptional student-faculty relationships. Faculty who are aware of their micro-messages can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students thus increasing recruitment and retention, especially of underrepresented populations. This training offers an engaging environment for participants to delve into micro-messaging, equipping them with valuable tools to foster micro-affirmations within their classroom settings. Want to Learn More?
The Real Realities of STEM
Understanding all the STEM career opportunities for students can be mind-boggling and often misunderstood. How much math is needed? What if my student has the aptitude but loves drama? What does a career really look like in STEM? This STEM-specific training provides support to help you, as a high school counselor, provide better support to your students. This training also has the option to address micro-messaging as it relates specifically to STEM. Want to Learn More?
Gain Confidence by Squashing the Imposter Syndrome
The Imposter Syndrome paralyzes us into thinking we don’t belong and don’t have the skills to succeed. Want to learn more and dive deeper into developing tools that will guide you to overcome, or help others overcome the impostor syndrome? Schedule an interactive one-hour breakout or half-day workshop that allows participants to explore case studies, internalize, and practice key concepts to increase their confidence and ability to reach their unlimited potential.
Implementing a Wow-Factor in STEM to Recruit High School Female Students
An outreach program for high school women in STEM is beneficial when created collaboratively between academia and industry. This program is amplified when a wow factor or hands-on interactive activity is included. Collaboration on STEM outreach programs for women and other under-represented populations creates a visible pathway filling the STEM pipeline. This workshop discusses a method and benefits for academic and industry collaboration. It entails an event with high school female students utilizing a hands-on format with company workshops, an interactive display area, and a design challenge event with industry mentorships.
Engineering Your Impact: Transforming the World as an Engineer
Don’t be fooled that being an engineer means you are just a boring person sitting in a cubical. Learn that it is not the things that you make that are important but rather, it is the impact you make. Look at case studies to see what a real difference being an engineer can make on the world.
Accreditation Reviews
I’ve spent more than a decade working with ABET as an evaluator for aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering technology, and mechanical engineering technology programs across both EAC and ETAC reviews. I’ve also served as a commissioner for the Engineering Accreditation Commission and on the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Committee, and I’ve been involved in reviews from every angle: as a faculty member, an industry board member, and a consultant.
That breadth of experience means I know exactly what reviewers are looking for and where programs typically struggle. If your department is preparing for an upcoming review, I can help make sure you’re ready.
Document Downloads
Below you should find promotional materials you need for your newsletter, conference agenda, or website. Please contact our office for all other uses or if you need something not available on this page.
Publications Samples
Chapman, et al, 2021, “Why Does Gamification Work? A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of Self-Determination Theory and Flow Theory as Possible Theoretical Explanations for Gamification’s Effects,” Academy of Management Learning & Education Journal, submitted.
Arendt, A. Trego, J. Allred, 2016, “Students Reach beyond Expectations with Cafeteria Style Grading,” Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Volume 8 Issue 1, pp.2 - 17.
A. Trego and T. Bateman, 2018, “Academic Alliance with Industry for Recruiting High School Female Students into STEM,” Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
A. Trego and R. Heslehurst, 2018, “How Can Workforce Diversity Improve Composite Productivity,” Advancing Composites Innovation Conference, Melbourne, AUS.
A. Trego, 2017, “Implementing a Wow-Factor in STEM to Recruit High School Female Students,” American Society for Engineering Education Rocky Mountain Section Conference, Provo, UT.
U. Sorensen, et al, 2017, “Student Collaborators Facilitate Meaningful Partnerships Between Teachers and Learners to Enhance Student Learning” Lilly Conference on Evidence-Based Teaching and Learning, Anaheim, CA.
J. Chapman and A. Trego, 2017, “Game On: Using Educational Gamification and Student Choice to Increase Retention,’ Intermountain Teaching for Learning Conference, Orem, UT.
A. Trego, 2016, “I Hate Tests: Do students do something different when given a choice?” Scholarship of Teaching & Engagement Conference VIII, Orem, UT.
A. Trego and T. Bateman, 2016, “Academia Alliance with Industry for Women in STEM,” 2016 Joint Region ABJ Society of Women Engineers Conference, Seattle, WA.
A. Trego, et al, 2015, “Cafeteria Style Grading: Giving Your Students Choices,” International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference, Orem, UT.