The Center for Academic Development – Teaching Excellence serves as a central location for professional development and the collection and dissemination of information relevant to the promotion of excellence in teaching and learning at Liberty University. We offer a robust number of services for online and residential faculty.
Here’s What’s Happening:
The President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching – Faculty Nominations
Nominations for the 2022-23 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching are now being accepted (through March 16).
The purpose of the award is to recognize teachers who have promoted significant student learning- evidenced by creative and innovative approaches to teaching, the effective use of instructional technology, and exceptional pedagogical skill. Additionally, their impact on student faith, thought, and character fully realizes Dr. Falwell’s vision of training leaders in all discipline areas. The award process involves a formal peer nomination, dean support, faculty input, and student contribution. Winners are determined by the Selection Committee and affirmed by the Provost.
Chairs, IMs, and faculty peers who have direct knowledge of a nominee’s qualifications and experience in demonstrating excellence in teaching may nominate a deserving full-time faculty member in the following categories: Undergraduate Residential, Undergraduate Online, Graduate Residential, or Graduate Online. Full-time is considered 12+ credits of course load per fall/spring semester undergraduate or 9+ credits of course load graduate.
TO NOMINATE FACULTY: CLICK HERE.
ILLUMINATE Grants for the Improvement of Teaching
Submit your proposal now through March 31.
Faculty applications for ILLUMINATE Grants for the Improvement of Teaching are now open for the academic year 2023-24. Deadline to apply is March 31. Priority will be given to applicants who have never received an ILLUMINATE Grant.
Full-and-part-time residential faculty members, as well as online faculty teaching on-campus intensives, are eligible to apply. Departmental or interdisciplinary teams of two or three are also invited. Individuals may apply for up to $1500, teams of two up to $3000, and teams of three up to $4500 to implement new pedagogical techniques, classroom activities, technologies, class trips, and/or purchase materials that foster learner-centered experiences for students.
TO SUBMIT YOUR GRANT PROPOSAL: CLICK HERE
Wednesday Webinars
Our monthly webinar series for residential and online faculty focuses on teaching and learning, teaching with technology, and professional enrichment.
Spring 2023 Topics:
- Welcome Videos That Make a Great First Impression
Wednesday, Jan. 18; 10:30-11:30 a.m. - Increasing Student Submission Rates
Wednesday, Feb. 15; 5-6 p.m. - Providing Transformative Feedback to Your Students
Wednesday, March 22; 5-6 p.m. - Giving Audio and Video Feedback in Canvas
Wednesday, April 12; 10:30-11:30 a.m. - Maximum Efficiency Grading
Wednesday, May 3; 5-6 p.m.
To register, email CTE@liberty.edu with the title(s) of the webinar(s) you would like to attend. A Microsoft Teams link will be emailed in advance of the webinar(s) to registrants.
Spring 2023 Workshop Calendar
Download the Spring 2023 Workshop Calendar
Congratulations to the 2021-2022 President’s Award Winners!
The purpose of the award is to recognize teachers who have promoted significant student learning- evidenced by creative and innovative approaches to teaching, the effective use of instructional technology, and exceptional pedagogical skill. Additionally, their impact on student faith, thought, and character fully realizes Dr. Falwell’s vision of training leaders in all discipline areas. The award process involves a formal peer nomination, dean support, faculty input, and student contribution. Winners are determined by the Selection Committee and affirmed by the Provosts. Faculty, Instructional Mentors, and other peers who have direct knowledge of a nominee’s qualifications and experience in demonstrating excellence in teaching may nominate a deserving full-time faculty member in the following categories: Undergraduate and Graduate.
Liberty University Undergraduate
- Emilee Harker, School of Nursing
- Jillian Ross, School of Divinity
- Linda Venturo, Helms School of Government
Liberty University Graduate
- Lauri Ann Maitland, College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Fred Volk, School of Behavioral Sciences
CTE Director’s Award for Excellence in New Faculty Mentoring
This award recognizes seasoned faculty mentors’ extraordinary dedication to supporting new colleagues in the Koinonia Mentoring Program. Mentors meet monthly with their mentees, offering advice, support, and encouragement to new faculty members. Award recipients are selected based on mentee nominations and determined by a scoring committee.
Congratulations to the recipient of the 2021-2022 Director’s Award for Excellence in New Faculty Mentoring, Dr. Nancy Richardson.
Congratulations to the 2022-23 Illuminate Grant Recipients!
The ILLUMINATE Grants for the Improvement of Teaching are designed to encourage faculty to enhance instruction through the introduction of new pedagogical and active learning techniques, activities, and/or learner-centered experiences. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Confidential scoring committees evaluate applicants on the grant’s purpose, student engagement, higher-order thinking, and potential to impact student learning.
- A Christian’s Influence in Mainstream Hollywood Storytelling: Disney Screenwriter and Animator Jeremy Spears’ Impact on Culturally Significant Animated Films (Barry Gawinski, Durrell Nelson, and Todd Smith; School of Communication and Arts)
- Advanced Avionics Correlation Trainer (Wayne Tripp, Jerry Wangberg, Ian Dutkus, and Peter Spahr;
School of Aeronautics) - Aging Simulation Equipment (Kevin Layell, Lisa Campbell, and Janet K. Brown; College of Arts and Sciences)
- Career Exploration Regional, National, and International: Visit Employers in Lancaster, PA
(Connie Hecker and Mark Horstemeyer; School of Communications and Arts/School of Engineering) - Emergency Relief: Simulating the Project Management Experience in Non-Profit Work (David Duby; School of Business)
- Forging the Future of Design: Real-World Application of the Glowforge in 2D & 3D
Product Design in the SADA Classroom (Rachel Dugan, Audra Rygh, and Joshua Wilson; School of Communication and Arts) - From Hell and Back: Workshop on Forgiveness and Trusting God (Larry Presley and Tim Chang;
Helms School of Government/Rawlings School of Divinity) - Hot Off the Press! What Media Professionals Say Journalism Looks Like in 2022 and Beyond (Amy Bonebright, Donald Alban, Jr., and Toni Perry; School of Communication and Arts)
- Immersive Experience with German Language and Culture (Annik Miller and Alexandra Barnett; College of Arts and Sciences)
- Learning By Example: Interpreting History through Objects and Sites (Donna Donald; College of Arts and Sciences)
- LU Service Learning by Promoting Literacy at a Rural Elementary School in Nigeria (Carol Payne and Edna Udobong; School of Education/Helms School of Government)
- Mixed Reality Headset for Aviation Training (Katie Gallagher, Jonathan Hewitt, and Aaron Wilson;
School of Aeronautics) - Nutrition Health Fair (Anna Kebles and Mark Hemric; School of Health Sciences)
- Sport Management Guest Speakers (Adam Spencer; School of Business)
- Student Field Work Financial Support for Master of Public Health Nutrition Courses (Julia Inglis;
School of Health Sciences) - The Use of an Electroencephalograph to Demonstrate Neurocognitive Processes (Carrie Wilmouth; School of Behavioral Sciences)
CTE Faculty Fellow Program
As part of its commitment to best practices, the Center for Teaching Excellence seeks Faculty Fellows to draw upon their talents. The CTE Faculty Fellow role is an exclusive opportunity for past President Award for Excellence in Teaching winners to become featured speakers at CTE’s January Conference and during semester workshops. Additionally, Faculty Fellows are recognized at various events throughout the academic year. This program involves a competitive application process.
Meet our 2022-23 Faculty Fellow:
Dr. Travis Holt
Assistant Professor of English
College of Arts and Sciences
Travis Holt was a 2021 recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He earned his Ph.D. in English from Old Dominion University in 2022. He has served as an Assistant Professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences since 2014. During this time, Holt has developed several courses, both on the undergraduate and graduate levels, including Basic Writing, Composition and Rhetoric, Classic Rhetoric, and Modern Rhetoric. He is the primary instructor for ENGL 101. Holt also serves as the Faculty Athletics Representative.
Center for Academic Development News
Visit the Faculty Workshops page for:
- Workshop Calendar
- Faith Integration Workshops
- Faculty Book Studies
Helpful Links
How Can We Help?
Have questions about who we are or the services we provide? Contact us at CTE@liberty.edu.