The end of the spring semester marks a significant academic milestone for students, but for the past four years it’s also been a moment for many Metropolitan State University of Denver faculty members to pause, reflect and celebrate their own progress as educators.
On May 13, the Center for Teaching, Learning and Design held its third annual Celebration of Faculty. The standing-room-only event honored dozens of faculty members who worked with the CTLD throughout the academic year to improve their instructional accessibility, complete course-development projects and participate in Faculty Learning Communities.
Honorees included 43 Roadrunner Instructor Training participants, 28 Roadrunner Faculty Academy participants, 20 Open Educational Resource FLC participants and dozens of faculty members across eight FLCs. Additionally, 10 peer associates were honored for their support of colleagues, and multiple educators across all schools and colleges were recognized for their progress toward and achievement of Association of College and University Educators certification. The event also applauded 53 faculty members who completed course–development projects, with special design–achievement awards given to A.J. Alejano-Steele, Ph.D.; Wendie Bass; Jessica Ritter, Ph.D.; and Kelly Monico.
“Our faculty (members) work tirelessly to create the best possible learning environments for our students, and much of this work goes unseen,” said CTLD Director Jeff Loats, Ph.D. “This annual event creates a space to recognize and celebrate the hours of work that faculty (members) put into their course designs and teaching approaches.”
Jenny Allert, DNP, associate professor and associate chair of the Nursing Department, was recognized with colleagues for earning ACUE certification, through which faculty members gain practical skills to enhance student engagement, improve assessment methods and create inclusive learning environments.
“ACUE certification validates faculty expertise and contributes to institutional excellence,” Allert said. “In these initiatives, I’ve learned to prioritize student needs and experiences. As the student landscape evolves, adapting our teaching methods becomes crucial to retaining their engagement.”
As faculty members are on the front lines of seeing new issues, emerging challenges and opportunities, the CTLD provides a space for them to experiment with new approaches, discuss issues with faculty members from across disciplines and receive guided support in using evidence-based course-design strategies and teaching approaches to improve teaching and learning. Now in its third year, the celebration — which this year included digital poster presentations and a tour of the new CTLD facilities — has consistently grown to include all academic leaders and hundreds of honorees.
Ingrid Carter, Ph.D., professor of Elementary Education, who was honored for participating in a Faculty Learning Community, noted that the CTLD is a wonderful resource and applauded the team’s knowledge, support and passion.
“The FLCs build community and connection, provide support across departments and offer an exchange of new ideas,” Carter said. “I love how they are focused on specific topics that are of interest to faculty across campus and allow us to learn from one another.”
FLC leader Steve Geintz, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Computer Sciences Department, noted that without being exposed to other faculty members’ points of view, it’s easier for educators to become set in their ways.
“Meeting and working with colleagues from many different departments helps me to constantly question whether I am doing the best that I can teaching,” Geintz said. “The collaboration helps to remind me that I need to maintain, and even further improve, my teaching style to be able to reach students from different backgrounds.”
Loats and the CTLD team were thrilled with the turnout and for the opportunity to showcase faculty excellence.
“It was a wonderful success, and we look forward to the fourth annual event next year,” Loats said.