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Center for excellenceIn teaching & learning

Annual Report2012-13

Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning: Annual Report 2012-13

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Mission

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) is a multifaceted professional development program that supports all faculty and staff contributing directly to the academic mission of the institution in order to enhance student learning, scholarly productivity, collegial service, compassionate leadership, and each individual’s need to find balance among these many roles.

Primary Contribution to Achieving the USI Strategic Plan

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) contributes toward accomplishing the goal of:

Preserving and nurturing our campus community

Key Strategies:


Build connections across campus and disciplines

Provide on-going development for faculty and staff

Major Accomplishments

Initiated the Faculty Learning Communities (FLC) program. Seven (7) FLCs were organized comprised of the 49 faculty who registered for the program. During spring semester 2013, five FLCs focused on the topic of student engagement, and two FLCs concentrated on teaching with technology. Each FLC is led by one or two faculty facilitators. Each FLC meets once every three weeks to discuss readings, best practices, and receive feedback on innovative ideas and learning activities. This program will continue during 2013-14.

Serving as catalyst for an initiative to improve quality of Academic Portfolios. As a special project from the Provost, CETL’s director has collaborated with the deans to find consensus on the essential elements for academic portfolios in an effort toward condensing the portfolio submissions. One outcome or product is a handy, one-page “Guide to Compiling the Academic Portfolio” to be used across campus by tenure-track faculty submitting portfolios for review. This initiative is on-going and will include a special day of training in August with internationally-renowned scholar on academic portfolios, Dr. Peter Seldin.

Planned, implemented, and evaluated the first Academic Portfolio Retreat. Thanks to generous funding from the Provost’s Office and as part of the aforementioned portfolio initiative, the Center organized an intensive, two-day portfolio training opportunity held January 18-19 at the New Harmony Inn. Designed for tenure-track faculty, this retreat engaged twenty (20) new faculty members (14 first-year, 6 second-year) from each of the four colleges and provided both instruction and time for faculty to begin drafting narratives for their portfolios.


Revived the Faculty Writing Groups program. Six (6) faculty writing groups were formed comprised of the 33 faculty who registered for the spring semester program. Faculty writing groups met weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly to share drafts of scholarly and creative writing and provide support to faculty in their writing projects. Each faculty writing group is led by a faculty participant. This program will continue during 2013-14.

Planned, implemented, and evaluated a full-day of Scholarly Writing Workshops. With funding from the Provost’s Office and an external sponsorship from the Text and Academic Authors Association, CETL invited Dr. Tara Gray of New Mexico State to present two workshop sessions held February 8 on best practices in scholarly productivity. Each participant received a complimentary copy of Dr. Gray’s book, Publish and Flourish. This event coincided with the launch of the revived Faculty Writing Group program. A special luncheon and discussion with Dr. Gray was provided for FWG leaders. 54 faculty participated in the sessions.

Designed the Faculty Teaching Academy (FTA) Fellows program. In collaboration with members of its Advisory Board, CETL has created a new faculty development certificate that promotes critical reflection on teaching practices and assessment of student learning outcomes. All teaching faculty at USI are eligible to pursue completion of this certificate. To become an FTA Fellow, one must attend workshops, actively participate in a faculty learning community, receive formative feedback on teaching, write a teaching narrative and a brief reflective essay. The new FTA Fellows certificate program will commence Fall 2013.

Compiled list of USI Faculty & Staff Scholarly and Creative Works. Collected lists from the colleges and units across campus of the creative and scholarly activity for the calendar year 2012. This comprehensive annual report was compiled by CETL for years 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. No report was compiled in 2010 and 2011. These annual reports will provide useful data for the upcoming accreditation process.

Organized the Celebration of Faculty & Staff Scholarly and Creative Works Reception. On April 24 the Center hosted this campus-wide event for faculty, staff, and administrators held in Carter Hall. The celebration included display tables showcasing samples of exemplary scholarly and creative work by USI faculty and staff as well as brief words of commendation by President Linda Bennett, Provost Ronald Rochon, and Faculty Senate chair Paul Parkison. Refreshments were served. The comprehensive annual report of USI Faculty & Staff Scholarly Works and Creative Works was prominently displayed.


Provided consultation services to 21 faculty members. 3 Adjuncts, 5 Instructors, 4 tenure-track, and 9 tenured faculty took advantage of the CETL Director’s consultation services. Consultations include one-on-one discussions on topics related to individual faculty needs such as teaching, assessment, course evaluations, promotion and tenure, etc. The CETL Director provided formative feedback on teaching, including twelve (12) class visits.

Facilitated Creative Chairing Learning Community (CCLC). In meetings held this year during late spring and summer, the CCLC provided opportunities for leadership development to department chairs and program directors. In presentations and discussions guided by the CETL Director, the CCLC addressed topics such as time management and characteristics of effective chairs. Thus far, thirteen chairs and directors have engaged in the CCLC.

Provided training sessions on best practices in the evaluation of teaching to Romain College of Business administrators. By invitation, the CETL Director facilitated two sessions in September on evaluating teaching.

Collaborated with and/or provided support to a number of campus units:

o Distance Learning (various projects including FLC)

o Grants and sponsored research (workshop; Scholarly & Creative Works Reception)

o Office of International Studies (co-sponsored reception for International Faculty &

Students)

o Service Learning (grant, workshops, FLC)

o University Core Curriculum (workshops, FLC)

o Academic Affairs (various projects including academic portfolio initiative)

o Assessment (workshops)

o Faculty Senate (campus learning community)

o Administrative Senate (campus learning community)

o Library Services (workshops)

Current projects include:


o Analyzing data and planning for next year. At the end of the spring semester, the Center conducted a needs-assessment of faculty via an online survey. We will use this data to design and offer programs and activities for 2013-14.

o Creating an Access database to track faculty participation in CETL’s activities and will assist us in providing accurate, detailed statistics in future reports.

o Designing a comprehensive faculty development program evaluation plan for the Center. In consultation with Dr. Sue Hines (St. Mary’s University of Minnesota), we are currently in the second phase of the design process. There are no fees for the consultation services provided by Dr. Hines, who will soon visit the USI campus.

o Updating and enhancing the CETL website. One of the new,

updated features is that faculty can now request individual consultations, FACTs, and E-FACTs online via the website.

Strategic PlanGoal Program/Activity Outcome-Educate & facilitate discussions on teaching & learning

-Workshops-Faculty Learning Communities-New Faculty Orientation-Faculty Teaching Academy

-Create and enhance sense of community among faculty-Faculty implement innovative teaching strategies

-Promote critical reflection on teaching practices & provide formative feedback

-Portfolio training-Faculty Learning Communities-Formative teaching consultations-Formative Assessment

-Make one’s teaching public (transparency)-Increased awareness of strengths &


of Classroom Teaching (FACT)-E-FACT (online courses)-Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL)

weaknesses-Faculty focused on student learning outcomes

-Provide support to faculty toward achieving promotion & tenure

-Portfolio training-Faculty writing groups-SoTL writing groups*-Workshops on writing-Summer writing institute*-Scholarly & Creative Works Reception-Mentoring non-tenured faculty

-Retain faculty-Increase success rate of faculty in P&T process-Faculty growth & fulfillment

-Recognize and celebrate faculty achievements

-Scholarly & Creative Works Annual Report-Scholarly & Creative Works Reception-Faculty Teaching Academy (FTA) Fellows Certificate

-Promote scholarly & creative activity-Create and enhance sense of community among faculty

-Provide support to department chairs, program directors, and university administrators

-Creative Chairing Learning Communities-Leadership Learning Communities*

-Develop leadership skills among administrators-Identify and develop faculty as future leaders

*Indicates a program or activity that has not yet been implemented.

Organizational Chart


Program Statistics

Number of Participants for Programs/Services1

Number of Number of FacultyParticipants Development Hours 2

1 Some faculty participated in more than one activity.2 Number of hours that participants spent in each activity.

ProvostDr. Ronald S. Rochon

Student Assistant Rosie McMichael(part-time; 8 mos.)

Student Assistant Lainey Evischi(part-time; 8 mos.)

Database Specialist

Hersha Dadhia(temporary; project-based)

CETL DirectorDr. Chris Garrett


Workshops 199 217

Academic Portfolio Retreat 20 270

Academic Portfolio Workshops 17 27

Faculty Learning Communities 37 328

Publish & Flourish Sessions 54 112

Faculty Writing Groups 22 n.d.

New Faculty Orientation 32 160

Critical Thinking Institute (U of L) 4 32

FLC Institute (Pomona, CA) 5 165

Creative Chairing Learning Community 13 34

FACT 20 30

E-FACT 4 6

Individual Consultations3 21 44

Department/Program Consultations4 4 4

Dept./Program/College Training5 7 25

CETL Advisory Board 10 n.d.

Celebration of Scholarly & Creative Works 83 n.d.

Totals 552 1,454Program Statistics: Additional Information

Workshops (and Presenters) Total Attendance Overall Rating6

Course Design Garrett 28 4.3

3 Consultations include class visits and one-on-one discussions regarding topics such as teaching, assessment, promotion and tenure, etc.4 Program consultations include the total number of faculty who participated in each consultation.5 The training includes the total number of faculty who participated.6 Based on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), attendees were asked to respond to the following question: “Overall, the workshop provided support to help me improve student learning.” The overall rating is the composite score or average of these scores.


Student Engagement & Active Learning Celuch, McKibban, Garrett 41 4.5

Creating Rubrics (two sessions) Partridge, Garrett 23 n.d.

Course Design Garrett 21 4.2

Promoting Civility in the Classroom Garrett 18 5.0

Writing and Reviewing Course Syllabi Garrett 5 n.d.

Service Learning (two sessions) Burnett, Reese, Ehlman, Bower, Mohr, Holt, Opatrny, Statham 33 3.9

Designing Diversity & Global Embedded Experiences in the New Core

Banerjea, Dixon, Stoll, York15 n.d.

Creative Assessment Techniques Langley, Valadares, Winsett 15 4.5

Special Events (and Presenters) Total Attendance Overall Rating7

Publish & Flourish: Scholarly Writing (3 sessions) Guest scholar: Dr. Tara Gray 54 6.3

Portfolio Training (and Presenters) Total Attendance Overall Rating8

Academic Portfolio Retreat, New Harmony Garrett 20 4.6

Portfolio Workshop: Writing Research Statements (two sessions) Garrett 17 n.d.

Goals for Faculty Development at USI, 2013-14

Action Items

Continue to catalyze the academic portfolio initiative

Collaborate with deans and provost’s office in developing a strategic plan toward achieving goals

Promote the use of the one-page guide Identify, train, and engage faculty who can serve as

portfolio consultants and as champions for the initiative in 7 Based on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree), attendees were asked to respond to the following question: “The time I invested in this workshop was well spent.” The overall rating is the composite score or average of these scores.8 Based on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), attendees were asked to respond to the following question: “Overall, the retreat provided support by helping me reflect on my teaching.” The overall rating is the composite score or average of these scores.


their respective colleges & depts.

Establish firm foundation for a successful and thriving FLC program

Develop confident and competent facilitators through training and mentoring

Take USI team to FLC Institute in Pomona Increase number of participants Provide high-quality FLC experiences so that positive

reputation of program spreads

Aggressively market the center Design new center logo Create brand-recognition on campus Promote center’s services, especially the new FTA Fellows

Certificate program

Recruit two faculty to assist with special projects

Need funding to offer compensation

Initiate a new SoTL Writing Group Identify and invite key faculty to participate Provide training on SoTL

Enhance the quality of the Faculty Writing Group (FWG) program

Gather FWG leaders for brainstorming session; assess needs

Consolidate the meetings Offer group writing sessions in library

Organize and implement a Summer Writing Institute for USI faculty in 2014

Draft and present budget to Provost

Organize and offer a writing retreat for faculty in New Harmony

Draft and present budget to Provost

Staff Activity

Dr. Chris GarrettAdministrative Role:Director of Faculty Development Faculty Rank: Associate Professor of English


Teaching: ENGL 105: Introduction to Literature (Spring 2013)

Publications: “Other Pilgrims: Continuations and Adaptations.” Oxford Handbook of John

Bunyan. Ed. Michael Davies. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (forthcoming)

“Promoting Creativity and Engagement by Infusing Art Across the Curriculum: the Arts Integration Initiative at Oklahoma City University,” About Campus 18.2 (2013).

Review of The Holy War: Annotated Companion to The Pilgrim’s Progress, ed. Daniel V. Runyon. The Recorder. Vol. 19, Spring 2013. 9-11.

Works Submitted or Preparing for Submission: “How T. S. Became Thomas Sherman: An Attribution Narrative” (submitted &

under review, The Library: Transactions of the Bibliographical Society). “Alexander Gardyne and the Contributor to Notes & Queries Known as J. O.”

(submitted & under review, Victorian Periodicals Review). “Second Part of the Pilgrim’s Progress (1682): A Meditational Pilgrimage by T. S.,

Imitative Sequel Writer and Literary Critic” (preparing for submission).

Conference Presentations: “Have I Finally Found What I Was Looking For? A Charitable Reading of

U2,” U2: The Hype and the Feedback Conference, Cleveland, April 2013. “Creating and Sustaining Faculty Learning Communities,” Professional and

Organizational Development (POD) Network Conference, Seattle, October 2012. Panel session presented with Crystal Benedicks, Noreen Light, Claire Parham, and John Zubizarreta.

Conference Presentations (forthcoming): “Assessing Service Learning to Promote Institutional Capacity for Effective

Embedded and Engaged Learning,” Assessment Institute, Indianapolis (Oct. 2013). Co-presenters: Paul Parkison, Dane Partridge, and Anne Statham.

“Transitioning to a New Campus to Lead a Faculty Development Program,” roundtable discussion, co-facilitated by Patrick O’Sullivan. POD Conference, Pittsburgh (Nov. 2013).

“The Second Part of the Pilgrim’s Progress (1682): A Meditational Pilgrimage by T. S., Imitative Sequel Writer,” International John Bunyan Society (forthcoming), Princeton University, August 2013.

Presentations & Workshops Facilitated at USI: “Writing Research Statements for the Academic Portfolio,” April 5, 2013. “Writing Research Statements for the Academic Portfolio,” April 17, 2013. “Introduction to the Academic Portfolio,” Faculty Retreat, New Harmony, Jan.

18-19, 2013. “Writing and Reviewing Course Syllabi,” Jan. 10, 2013. “Promoting Civility in the Classroom,” Jan. 9, 2013.


“Course Design,” Jan. 9, 2013. “Creating Rubrics,” co-presented with Dane Partridge, morning session, Nov.

4, 2012. “Creating Rubrics,” co-presented with Dane Partridge, afternoon session,

Nov. 4, 2012. “Student Engagement & Active Learning,” co-presented with Kevin Celuch

and Amie McKibban, Oct. 19, 2012. “Evaluation of Teaching,” training sessions for administrators, Romain

College of Business, Sept. 17 & 24, 2012. “Course Design,” Sept. 21, 2012.

Grants: Anne Statham, Paul Parkison, Chris Garrett, Dane Partridge, and Linda Reed.

“Building Institutional Capacity for Assessing Service Learning.” Bringing Theory to Practice Grant Proposal ($10,000), Association of American Colleges & Universities (submitted June 2013).

Professional Development: Faculty Learning Community Developers’ and Facilitators’ Institute, Pomona, CA,

(forthcoming, June 2013). Ideas to Action Institute: Sharing the Impact of Critical Thinking, University of

Louisville, May 2013. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) Webinar, USI, Jan. 22, 2013. Staff Development Retreat: Crossing Borders, USI, October 8, 2012. Diversity Conversations in the Classroom, Guest Facilitator: Lee Mun Wah, USI,

Sept. 6, 2012. USI Leadership Development Training, Romain College of Business, Fall

Semester 2012. Blackboard training session, USI, Aug. 2012.

University Service: Member, Provost’s Council. Member, Academic Planning Council. Member, New General Education Core Curriculum Implementation Task

Force. Ex-officio member, Council of Department Chairs and Program Directors. Member, Experiential Learning Council. Member, Distance Learning Advisory Board. Member, Service Learning Advisory Board. Chair, Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning Advisory Board. Member, Faculty Convocation Committee. Member, Subcommittee to Review Existing Charter of Council of

Department Chairs & Program Directors.

Academic Service (external to USI): Review Board, To Improve the Academy. Review Board, Transformative Dialogues: Teaching and Learning Journal. Editorial Advisory Board, Teaching and Learning Inquiry. Consulting Editor, Editorial Board, College Teaching.


Membership Committee, Professional and Organizational Development Network.

Editor, The Recorder, International John Bunyan Society Newsletter. Executive Committee Member, International John Bunyan Society. Abstract Reviewer, Professional and Organizational Development Network

Conference. C0-Chair, Poster Session, Professional and Organizational Development

Network Conference, Nov. 2013.

Professional Affiliations/Memberships: Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network of Higher

Education International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) International John Bunyan Society

Campus & Community Involvement: Volunteer Instructor, Spin Class, USI Recreation Center, Spring 2013. Attendee, David Broza concert, USI, April 2013. Attendee, Anne Rosselini, Winter’s Bone film screening and discussion, USI,

April 2013. Participant, Rockin’ River City 60K Bicycle Ride, Evansville, April 2013. Attendee (with six of my students), Twilight: Los Angeles, USI Theatre, March

2013. Attendee, Melissa Stockwell guest lecture and spin class, USI, March 2013. Attendee, The Matchmaker, USI Theatre, Fall 2012. Attendee, Harry Belafonte, Distinguished Lecture Series, Evansville, Oct.

2012. Licensed and certified foster family, State of Indiana, Dec. 2012. Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

Newburgh, 2012-2013. Member, Parent Booster Club, Castle Soccer Program, Fall 2012. Member, Parent Booster Club, Castle Knightingales Showchoir, 2012-present.


Staff Activity (cont.)

Rosie McMichaelStudent Assistant

Began working in the Center in the Fall 2012 Majoring in Health Services

Duties: Serve as office receptionist Clerical duties Provide logistical support for Faculty Learning Communities Provide logistical support for FACT and E-FACT programs

Lainey EvischiStudent Assistant

Began working in the Center in the Fall 2012 Honors student majoring in Nursing

Duties: Serve as office receptionist Clerical duties Provide logistical support for Faculty Writing Groups Center’s webmaster Provide support for compiling annual report of Faculty & Staff Scholarly

and Creative Works

Hersha DadhiaDatabase Specialist

Temporary employee Began working for the Center in the Summer 2013 USI alumna

Duties: Creating an Access database for the Center Creating queries in the database to generate statistical reports


Advisory Board

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Advisory Board consults and provides feedback to the CETL Director on policies and programs. The Advisory Board typically meets two to four times each semester, as needed. The Advisory Board is comprised of nine representatives of various faculty and administrative roles.

This year the Advisory Board provided significant service in collaborating with the director in designing the Faculty Teaching Academy (FTA) Fellows Certificate program and also identifying a list of proposed new names for the Center.

Members of the Advisory Board for 2012-13:

Business: Abbas Foroughi (Dept. Chair) Term: 2012-14

Science, Engineering, and Education: Ed Rehkopf Term: 2012-14

Liberal Arts: Michael Aakhus (Dean) Term: 2012-14

Nursing & Health Professions: Frank Ward (Program Director)Term: 2012-14

Library Services: Joanne Artz Term: 2011-13

University Division: Darrin Sorrells Term: 2011-13

Instructional Technology: Megan Linos (Asst. Provost) Term: 2011-13

Instructor: Ellen Topper Term: 2011-13

Adjunct Faculty: Brian Atra Term: 2012-13

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