Tech Talks 

Sessions begin in June 2025 and will run weekly through the summer. 
Topics will focus on practical tools and tech skills to support your everyday work. 

Are you interested in attending a Tech Talk but you are not a Tulane staff or faculty member? Email ailtalentev@tulane.edu with the session you’d like to join.
 

TUTech Toolkit

When: Tuesday, June 10 at 10:00 – 10:45 am
Speaker: Bobbie Garner-Coffie
Skill Level: General
Format: Virtual Session (Zoom)
What to Expect: In today's rapidly evolving work landscape, leveraging the right technology is crucial for career efficiency and performance. This session is designed for academic and operational employees seeking to improve their digital literacy, enhance their tech toolkits, and boost their performance. Learn what digital tools are available at Tulane and how to incorporate them into your projects, initiatives, or day-to-day tasks. This workshop is hosted by Tulane Information Technology (IT) and the Innovative Learning Center (ILC). 

TUTech: AI 9 to 5

When: Thursday, June 12 at 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Speaker: Blaine Fisher
Skill Level: General
Format: Virtual Session (Zoom)
What to Expect: In today’s fast-paced work environment, integrating AI tools into daily routines is essential for maximizing productivity and efficiency. This session will provide attendees with a practical guide on using AI tools to streamline their workday. By introducing participants to each tool, this presentation will showcase how AI can optimize tasks ranging from meetings to research, brainstorming, and content creation. The rationale behind this session is to empower professionals with actionable knowledge and strategies that harness AI's potential to make work more efficient, allowing them to focus on high-value tasks and maintain work-life balance.

AI: So, What's Next?

When: Tuesday, June 17 at 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Speaker: Knud Berthelsen
Skill Level: Intermediate / Advanced
Format: Hybrid Session (in-person & virtual)
Location: Uptown - Howard Tilton Memorial Library & Zoom
What to Expect: You have some experience working with AI, probably ChatGPT, but how can you take it to the next level? Also, what is next for AI? Where are we heading? In this session, we will explore some intermediate AI use and demonstrate some of the latest AI capabilities.

AI Demystified: Navigating the Future

When: Friday, June 20 at 10:00 – 10:45 am
Speaker: Amanda Fennell
Skill Level: General
Format: Virtual Session (Zoom)
What to Expect: This session demystifies AI, exploring its everyday presence and impact on the workplace. We'll cover practical AI applications, discuss working alongside AI, debunk common misconceptions, and look at the future of AI from a practical perspective.

Excel Mastery: Intermediate Tools for Everyday Data

When: Tuesday, June 24 at 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Speaker: Cathy Chavez Tsagournos
Skill Level: Intermediate
Format: Virtual Session (Zoom)
What to Expect: This session focuses on intermediate Excel skills that support everyday data tasks. You’ll explore functions, formulas, conditional formatting, and pivot tables. Designed for those who already spend their work day in spreadsheets, this session emphasizes practical applications and time-saving techniques to help you work more efficiently with data.

Excel Mastery: Advanced Features and Integrations

When: Thursday, June 26 at 10:00 – 10:45 am
Speaker: Chance Sweat
Skill Level: Advanced
Format: Virtual Session (Zoom)
What to Expect: This advanced Excel session introduces powerful tools like XLOOKUP, Solver, and advanced formula and function uses. You’ll learn how to enhance your data analysis and streamline complex workflows using Excel’s more advanced capabilities. Ideal for those ready to explore what’s possible beyond the fundamentals.

Intro to Adobe Creative Cloud

When: Tuesday, July 8 at 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Speakers: Adobe & Innovative Learning Center (ILC) teams
Skill Level: General
Format: Virtual Session (Zoom)
What to Expect: Unlock your creative potential and boost your productivity with Adobe Creative Cloud! This session is perfect for Tulane faculty and staff who want to explore how Adobe Creative Cloud apps can enhance their work, from designing presentations and reports to creating engaging digital content. You’ll also learn how to access Tulane’s Adobe license and take advantage of built-in resources like Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly generative AI, and Adobe Stock for high-quality images. Whether you're a beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, this session will help you maximize Adobe Creative Cloud in your day-to-day.

Intro to Research Technology Services

When: Thursday, July 10 at 10:00 – 10:45 am
Speakers: Stephen Oglesby
Skill Level: General
Format: Virtual Session (Zoom)
What to Expect: In this session, we’ll give you a broad overview of the research technology support and services available to Tulane researchers. Topics include data storage options, research software, and consultation services for specialized needs. Discover how Tulane IT can help streamline your workflow and bolster your research projects.

Dive into Qualtrics

When: Monday, July 14 at 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Speakers: Shannon Aicklen
Skill Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Format: Virtual Session (Zoom)
What to Expect: Discover how to access and use Tulane’s free Qualtrics platform in this 45-minute session designed especially for beginner and intermediate skill levels. You’ll learn how to create surveys, analyze data, and generate reports that support your work and decision-making. While the session is geared toward those newer to Qualtrics, more experienced users are welcome to attend, connect with colleagues, and share their own tips. Whether you're just getting started or looking for a refresher, this session will help you explore how Qualtrics can streamline your data collection and elevate your projects.

Maximizing Collaboration with Microsoft Teams at Tulane

When: Tuesday, July 15 at 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Speakers: Shana Harper
Skill Level: General
Format: Virtual Session (Zoom)
What to Expect: Ready to make some waves in your daily communication? Join us to explore how Tulane's Office of Strategic Summer Programs uses Microsoft Teams to stay connected, organized, and aligned! This session will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how Teams can support project planning, document sharing, and productivity; Teams is so much more than just instant messaging and virtual meetings. Whether you're a Teams rookie or looking to get new ideas, you'll walk away with practical insights and examples for your team.

AI Tools & Resources to Power Your Tech Toolkit

When: Thursday, July 17 at 10:00 – 10:45 pm
Speakers: Rebekah Allred, LinkedIn
Skill Level: General
Format: Virtual Session (Zoom)
What to Expect: Close out our Summer Tech Talks Series with a hands-on session focused on AI-driven tools and resources that support all program topics—including Excel, Teams, Adobe, and Qualtrics—hosted and delivered via LinkedIn Learning. We’ll highlight practical solutions to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and integrate platforms, empowering you to maximize productivity across your digital toolkit. Join us to discover essential resources and actionable strategies for getting the most out of your tech stack, all within the LinkedIn Learning environment.