Aziza Ellozy This Newsletter was first published on:
“We will need to incentivize, train, and reward faculty to teach in Novel ways.” AUC Strategic Plan, 2014-19
As part of his Academic Strategic Priorities (August 2015, ‘Enhancing Teaching
Effectiveness’), the Provost directed the Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT) to
develop a Teaching Enhancement Program that would address the needs of all AUC
faculty and that would lead to a certificate of participation, which would count towards
promotion, tenure, renewal of contract, and the AFR.
In an email to all faculty on September 6th 2015, the Provost explained the rationale for
such a program.
“The philosophy of liberal arts education is among the main institutional priorities of
AUC, as it enhances our students’ self-awareness and enables our graduates to have a
unique edge in their professional life.”
“Engaging in such professional development of teaching provides opportunities for all
faculty—both new and experienced–to exchange experiences, re-emphasize the values of
a liberal arts education in their teaching, and grow as innovators and leaders in the field of
higher education. Because of the importance of life-long learning in maintaining and
enhancing faculty skills, engagement in these kinds of professional development
opportunities will be increasingly considered in the AFR and reviews for tenure,
promotion and contract renewal.”
The Teaching Enhancement Certificate Program developed by CLT is summarized
below.
Target Audience
This program is intended to serve all AUC faculty – full-time and adjunct. New faculty and
those who are on tenure-track are strongly encouraged to enroll in the first cohort of fall
2015.
Teaching Enhancement Certificate Program
The Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT) will be offering workshops aimed at
addressing a wide spectrum of faculty needs in teaching and learning. This professional
development opportunity is multi-faceted and includes the completion of a Teaching
Enhancement Certificate.
Faculty will have the option to choose between Teaching Enhancement Certificate 1 and
Teaching Enhancement Certificate 2 depending on whether they have taken CLT
workshops previously or not.
In order to complete a certificate, faculty will have the choice to complete ONE of the
following: (they could of course choose to complete several certificates)
Additional optional professional development activities that may be included in AFR, tenure and promotion portfolios and renewal of contract, include:
Demonstration of Teaching Innovation
Preparing and presenting a teaching and learning innovation activity (at teaching and learning community events or other formal meetings among peers at AUC).
Peer Feedback and/or Mid-Semester Assessment of Teaching
This involves an observation by a faculty mentor or, in the case of a mid-semester assessment, a CLT consultant. Both observations are regarded as tools for formative, growth-oriented assessment and will result in a feedback report that is confidential.
CLT Support Activities
CLT members will be available to support faculty as they plan and implement their teaching innovation activities. This may be a redesigned lesson or assignment, or integration of a new technology or pedagogy into the classroom. CLT consultation is also available for larger projects such as new course design or redesign.
CLT Faculty Associates
Faculty members will be selected from Schools to serve as CLT liaisons within departments and to help disseminate information about our programs/services. Certificates of appreciation will be presented to all CLT Faculty Associates engaging in this initiative.
