The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) was designated to facilitate faculty and staff development and maintain inclusive pedagogical practices that promote quality teaching and learning that result in increased student retention and success.  The CTE will provide workshops that meet the current needs of faculty as well as plan for the creation of learning communities, pedagogical journal clubs and the promotion of scholarship and pedagogical research. Additionally, the CTE will provide faculty consultations for improved teaching and assessment developments for student learning.  Finally, the CTE will contribute to initiatives directed at organizational development and institutional effectiveness.   

Mission

The mission of the Center for Teaching Excellence is to support, promote and enhance effective teaching and student learning; encourage the scholarship of teaching and learning and serve as a catalyst for institution-wide high impact learning.  

Vision

To champion the advancement of inclusive teaching, learning and use of technology.  

Goals

Goals include increasing academic excellence and student engagement and retention through:

• Inclusive pedagogy
• Quality course design for all delivery methods
• Innovative use of technology and strategies
• Continued professional development for new and existing faculty and teaching assistants
• Support and promote pedagogical research

History

The Nicholls State Center for Teaching Excellence was established in the fall of 2019 by the office of academic affairs.  The center was developed from the 2019 Nicholls State Academic Master Plan Objective 4.2: Promote and reinforce faculty development in new pedagogies and methodologies. Focus groups consisting of faculty and staff were utilized over the summer of 2019 to establish the CTE’s mission, values and goals. The Center for Teaching Excellence reports directly to the Office of Academic Affairs.