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������’s Commission on College Teaching conducted its inaugural Excellence in Teaching Workshop in January with 15 program graduates earning Excellence in Teaching Certificates. This week-long workshop, developed and run by ������ faculty for their peers, provided educators with an opportunity to advance their teaching skills and promote the University’s mission of hands-on learning. The workshop was adapted for ������ based on the highly successful ExCEEd model used by the American Society of Civil Engineers, in which faculty across the country and around the world have advanced their teaching skills.

Hallie Neupert, Dean of ������’s College of Engineering, Technology and Management notes, “Given ������’s strong focus on teaching, it is exciting that faculty now have the opportunity to earn an Excellence in Teaching Certificate. I can think of no better way to improve the classroom experience than by working closely with colleagues who understand both our students and our organizational culture. ������ is known as a university where our faculty are first and foremost educators in the classroom. This type of certification only strengthens our approach to teaching and learning in a polytechnic environment.”

This inaugural group of program graduates included 13 faculty and 2 staff members from a variety of disciplines, departments and locations who plan to incorporate what they learned into their instruction. Library faculty, Iris Godwin, stated, “The interdisciplinary peer discussions were invigorating! I plan to integrate these ideas and best practices into my teaching.”

“Amazing experience!” noted Jeannie Bopp, faculty from the Dental Hygiene program. “There were so many aspects of teaching we experienced in a safe and fun environment. I plan to use these to engage students in my classes.”

Donny Cordova, Computer Systems Engineering Technology faculty member from ������’s Wilsonville campus commented, “This in one of the best workshops I have attended where I felt that I am leaving with so many tools to apply to my teaching.”

Program Coordinators Dr. C.J. Riley, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, and Dr. Sharon Beaudry, Assistant Professor of Business Management, are pleased with the results. Dr. Beaudry said, “The goal of the Commission on College Teaching is to provide a sustainable program in which ������’s educators can learn and share the theories, art, science and advancements of teaching. During this inaugural workshop, members of the Commission presented and mentored to their peers in the program. In the future, program graduates will have the opportunity to apply for a Teaching Fellowship to deliver the program and pass along their experience to their colleagues.”

LeAnn Maupin, Interim Provost and Dean of the College of Health, Arts and Science adds, “My thanks goes out to the faculty who dedicated a huge amount of time, effort and expertise to supporting the institution’s emphasis on teaching and professional development. Congratulations to all who earned ������’s first Excellence in Teaching Certificates.”