UNM hosts Ashton Speaker Series spring 2026

Even the most accomplished instructors can struggle with self-doubt. The Ashton Speaker Series returns this spring with an exploration of how impostor syndrome shows up in educators' professional lives and how it affects learning, teaching and leadership.

Hosted by UNM University Libraries, the series features distinguished speaker SherAaron Hurt, director of Workshops and Training for The Carpentries, a nonprofit that teaches foundational coding and data science skills to researchers worldwide.

By reframing how educators understand confidence and expertise, the series will invite participants to consider how belonging shapes student persistence and success. The lecture and workshop will especially resonate with early career faculty, graduate students and anyone engaged in teaching, mentoring or academic leadership who wants to strengthen their practices around engagement.

The Ashton Lecture, When Expertise isn't Enough: How Connection and Belonging Sustain Learning, is set for Tuesday, March 31, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Willard Reading Room in Zimmerman Library.

This lecture delves into how connection, encouragement, and psychological safety shape engagement and persistence in academic learning environments. Hurt challenges conventional notions that those who teach must arrive in their classrooms already confident in their expertise. Attendees will gain valuable insights into using human-centered approaches to teaching and student support to reduce fear, strengthen engagement, and foster sustainable learning across higher education.

Following the lecture, participants are invited to deepen their understanding through the Ashton Workshop, Confidence Optional, Connection Required: Learning and Leading Beyond Expertise. Taking place on the same day from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Frank Waters Room in Zimmerman Library, this interactive workshop offers an opportunity for guided reflection and discussion, leading to strategies for navigating self-doubt and sustaining engagement when confidence is low. Facilitated by Hurt, attendees will engage with ways to foster connection and encouragement as practical tools.

Registration for both the lecture and workshop is free, but space is limited. Interested individuals are encouraged to secure their spot by registering today. Lunch will be provided for workshop attendees.

About the Speaker
SherAaron Hurt brings a wealth of expertise to the Ashton Speaker Series. She is a leader in data science education and inclusive community building. As the director of Workshops and Training for The Carpentries, she provides strategic oversight for global workshops and leads instructor and trainer programs, including certification, curriculum development and community engagement. With a background in business administration, marketing and hospitality management, she brings a service-driven, people-centered approach to advancing equitable learning experiences worldwide.

The Ashton Speaker Series, supported through a donation from Marjorie Whetstone Ashton, brings together scholars, researchers and thought leaders to explore cutting-edge topics in academia and beyond. The series aims to promote interdisciplinary dialogue.