TYCAT 2026
November 13-14
Chattanooga
Intrepid Navigators:
Finding Our Way as English Instructors
in the Shifting Academic Landscape
Call for Proposals
Those who have been in academia for any length of time are familiar with changing course. Much like fashion trends, pedagogical trends seem to run in cycles. Just as soon as we adjust our classes to include the latest curricular bells and whistles and to meet the latest expectations of our administrators, we find out that times have changed and that a text we love using is now considered overdone, while the essay we carefully planned last semester is no longer in line with what our college considers cutting edge. Changing course is just part of an academic’s life.
However, when we add digital textbooks, changing modalities, accelerated schedules, a decreased emphasis on academic skills and an increased value on workforce development, new rules and regulations on campus, the ongoing assault on the humanities, and, of course, the looming presence of artificial intelligence just waiting to take our jobs, the way forward can begin to seem a little unclear. Even seasoned academics might find that they need to spend a bit more time on navigation, once again charting a new course. So, we invite you to join us at TYCAT this year to consider the ways in which navigating the role of an English instructor in our state’s shifting academic landscape has impacted our profession.
What are you doing in the classroom? What even is a classroom?
What strategies have you come up with to help your class remain relevant?
What skills are you teaching that align with workplace skills but honor the composition curriculum?
How have you modified your curriculum in response to demands for different durations and modalities?
What kinds of exciting things are you doing with OER and ALR?
How is the growth of dual enrollment changing the way you structure your assignments, your work day, and your career?
What extracurricular opportunities or electives remain viable in your department at your institution?
What new tools have you recently discovered that are way cooler than AI?
What other ideas do you have for presentation, demonstration, or conversation?
We are offering a choice of three presentation types:
A TYCAT Talk (TED Talks-style presentation) in which the presenter(s) will have 15 minutes to offer a dynamic talk on a topic of his/her/their choice plus an additional 5 minutes for questions and discussion
A Panel Presentation in which two or more presenters will have up to 60 minutes to focus on a topic or series of related topics followed by questions and discussion
A Roundtable Discussion wherein a moderator facilitates a conversation among peers on a specific selected topic for up to 60 minutes
In addition to sessions focused on the conference theme, we welcome presentations concerning any aspect of teaching English in the community college classroom. The deadline for submission is Friday, October 9, 2026.
Registration information
$115.00-Early Registration ends October 23
$150.00-Late Registration begins October 24
$65.oo-Adjuncts and Retired Faculty
Tentative Conference Schedule
Friday, November 13
Registration, 1:30-5:30 pm, Health Science Center (HSC) Lobby
Welcome, 3:00-3:15 pm, HSC 1083
Session 1, 3:30-4:30 pm, HSC 1083, 1085, 1087
Break, 4:30-4:45 pm, HSC Hallway
Session 2, 4:45-5:45 pm, HSC 1083, 1085, 1087
Dinner Party, 6:30-8:30 pm, The Daily Ration
Saturday, November 14
Registration, 8:00 am-12:30 pm, HSC Lobby
Session 3, 8:30-9:30 am, HSC 1083, 1085, 1087
Break, 9:30-9:40 am, HSC Hallway
Session 4, 9:40-10:40 am, HSC 1083, 1085, 1087
Break, 10:40-10:50 am, HSC Hallway
Session 5, 10:50-11:50 am, HSC 1083, 1085, 1087
Luncheon, 11:50 am-1:00 pm, HSC Lobby
directions to campus
The address for the main campus is 4501 Amnicola Highway; Chattanooga, TN 37406, but there are two entrances to campus, either of which will get you to the Health Science Building (HSC):
The main entrance is at the traffic light, and it will take you on a one-way loop around the small pond in the center of campus. The HSC is the last building on your right before you return to the exit to Amnicola Highway.
The "West Entrance" is a marked two-way road that will take you to the HSC on a more direct route.
Both of these routes are highlighted in yellow on the map below, and the HSC is designated with a yellow box around the building and parking lot. There is ample available parking in the HSC parking lot, P15.
Nearby hotels
Though there is no designated conference hotel, the following options are located in the Chattanooga suburb of Hixson, just across the Tennessee River from the Chattanooga State Community College main campus. Note that all prices are from hotel websites as of 04.02.25. Some may offer state employee rates that are lower than those posted.
Hampton Inn Chattanooga/Hixson (a Hilton hotel)
1920 Hamill Rd, Hixson, TN 37343 (A 6-minute drive to campus, 3.3 miles)
King from $126, 2 Queen from $131
Amenities: Free hot breakfast, Free parking, Free Wi-Fi, Outdoor pool, Fitness center, Business center
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Chattanooga – Hixson
4820 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343 (A 7-minute drive to campus, 3.4 miles)
King Standard from $149, 2 Queen Standard from $149, King Suite from $162, 2 Queen Suite from $185
Amenities: Free hot breakfast, Complimentary coffee in lobby, Free parking, Wi-Fi included, Indoor pool (heated), Fitness center, Business center
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chattanooga North – Hixson
5000 New Country Dr, Hixson, TN 37343 (An 8-minute drive to campus, 3.6 miles)
King from $118; 2 Queen from $128; 1 King, 1 Full, studio suite from $128; 2 Queen, 1 sofa bed, deluxe family suite from $158
Amenities: Free breakfast, Free parking, Free Wi-Fi, Mobile check-in, Indoor pool, Fitness center
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hixson
5248 TN-153, Hixson, TN 37343 (An 8-minute drive to campus, 3.7 miles)
Studio, 1 King, sofa bed from $117; Studio, 2 Queens from $117
Amenities: Free buffet and hot breakfast, Free coffee/tea, Kitchen, Free parking with electric car charging station, Free Wi-Fi, Indoor pool, Fitness center
Nearby breakfast restaurants
The following restaurants offer affordable Saturday morning breakfast options in the Hixson area. Those marked with an asterisk are local eateries.
Brothers Bagel*
$10-20
3805 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37415
Opens at 6am
Drip Kitchen and Coffee*
$10-20
6018 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343
Opens at 7am
Dunkin’ Donuts
$1-10
5311 TN-153, Hixson, TN 37343
Opens at 5am
First Watch
$10-20
5207 TN-153 Suite 101, Hixson, TN 37343
Opens at 7am
IHOP
$10-20
5113 TN-153, Hixson, TN 37343
Opens at 6am
Mimis Deli*
$10-20
5023 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343
Opens at 8am
Panera
$10-20
562 Northgate Mall Dr. Suite 102, Chattanooga, TN 37415
Opens at 7am
Starbucks
$5-10
5238 TN-153, Hixson, TN 37343
Opens at 5am
Waffle House
$10-20
5466 TN-153, Hixson, TN 37343
Open 24 hours