Teaching Enhancement Programs
The University of Arkansas offers valuable teaching resources for its faculty through the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center (TFSC), Teaching Academy, Teaching Innovation and Pedagogical Support (TIPS), and the Office for Faculty Affairs. These offices collaborate with several units on our campus to assist faculty in their scholarship, enhance teaching skills, provide mentoring opportunities, offer guidance on how to use the latest technology and foster professional development.
Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center
Founded in 1992, the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center promotes innovation in teaching and learning and supports programs to advance student success. The center hosts events such as lunch and learns, teaching symposiums and teaching camps to help faculty enhance their teaching skills. In addition, the support center funds teaching grants, provides special recognition for faculty across campus, and offers advanced teaching resources to ensure faculty continue to improve their teaching practice. Learn more about the resources provided to faculty by the Teaching and Faculty Support Center.
Teaching Camp
Every August, the TFSC offers an off- campus 2-3 day camp for interested faculty. Topics vary each year and the objective is to spend time reflecting on teaching, engaging with other teachers, and jumpstarting the academic year. For more information, visit teaching.uark.edu.
Teaching Academy
The Teaching Academy is a society committed to excellence in teaching at the University of Arkansas and consists of faculty members who have been recognized by their peers, colleges and the university for their excellence in teaching, including excellence in classroom teaching. The Teaching Academy holds monthly meetings for its members, provides teaching resources and workshops, and works with the TFSC to recognize faculty for teaching excellence. View more information on the Teaching Academy at teaching-academy.uark.edu.
Annual Baum Teaching Workshop
Each year, on the Thursday before fall classes begin, the Teaching Academy coordinates and conducts a one-half day teaching improvement workshop for all campus teaching faculty. Learn more.
Career Catalyst Program
As a U of A Career Everywhere initiative, the Career Catalyst Program is designed to help student-facing faculty, instructors and staff support student learning by integrating career readiness into college experiences. Career Connections has partnered with Faculty Affairs and Student Success to offer this professional development resource to connect student learning with student career goals. Research shows that undergraduate students who receive personalized guidance and support early in their academic career are more likely to work in college-level jobs after graduation. Students depend on all of their campus helpers (i.e. student-facing faculty, instructors and staff) to help them develop and achieve education and career goals and overcome barriers to success. (State Opportunity Index) In this program, participants will use the ACUE quick study courses alongside the U of A Career Guide and Toolkit to motivate learners toward a successful future.
Building student career confidence through career exploration, skills practice and launching life and career goals is a university-wide endeavor. Faculty and staff can learn how to incorporate career guidance resources into their work by enrolling in the Career Catalyst Program.
ACUE
To further enhance their teaching, faculty can earn microcredentials and certification from the Association of College and University Educators. The association provides the only nationally recognized teaching credential program in higher education and is endorsed by the American Council on Education.
Faculty can enroll in ACUE courses through a partnership with the University of Arkansas or individually online. For more information on ACUE microcredentials, visit acue.org.
Teaching Innovation and Pedagogical Support (TIPS)
Teaching Innovation and Pedagogical Support was developed as a partnership between the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center, Information Technology Services and Global Campus to provide academic technology support to faculty. The goal of TIPS is to collaborate across campus to promote faculty development and enhance student success. TIPS provides guidance on using Blackboard, technology and other tools in the online classroom and in person. Read more about TIPS and ways faculty can use the latest technology in their teaching.
High Impact Practices and Wellness (HIPS)
The University of Arkansas hosts events during the summer highlighting high-impact practices as defined by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. These events are open to the entire campus community and help foster conversations among faculty and staff centered on student success. For more information about High Impact Practices and Wellness and upcoming events, visit hips.uark.edu.