Nazareth University professors passionate about using play as a vehicle for learning are now training other universities

Rochester, NY (10/07/2026) — College classrooms often conjure an image of a quiet tiered hall with students listening to their professor's lecture. But a group of Nazareth University professors believes there is room for play in the college classroom - and after several years of studying and using play as a vehicle for learning, they created The Play Collaborative.

Now the Play Collaborative Studio at Nazareth University is sharing its passion for play with educators from five other local colleges and universities during a three-day immersive workshop, Oct. 8-10. Expected are faculty from the University of Rochester, St. John Fisher, Monroe Community College, Finger Lakes Community College, and Alfred University.

The Play Collaborative Studio workshop will show participants how to go beyond icebreakers and board games to implement creative approaches to real-world classroom struggles. The Studio's "professors of play" will lead the group in experimenting with playful strategies, from Soft Starts for student engagement to a crazy game of Happy Salmon, showing how playful approaches can help educators take risks with students, provide effective feedback, and engage students more actively in learning.

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 9, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

WHERE: Nazareth University, Shults Center

MEDIA: You are invited to come out during this time to get video and interviews with professors from Nazareth's Play Collaborative Studio and workshop participants.

Please call/text Julie Long at 585-781-8186 if you are planning to attend and at what time. She can bring you to the Shults Center location.

Nazareth University

Nazareth University professors passionate about using play as a vehicle for learning are now training other universities

Nazareth University

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