Teaching is at the very core of our Holy Cross tradition of academic excellence.
Students benefit from an active and rigorous learning environment that is constantly refined toward a common goal — to inspire to think, learn and grow beyond expectations.
Established in 1991, the Center for Teaching Excellence grew from the desire to continually elevate the learning experience for students at St. Edward’s. Through the center, faculty members come together to share ideas and strategies for successful teaching. They learn practical and inventive ways to improve teaching methods and respond to the various learning needs of students.
The Center for Teaching Excellence promotes effective, innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based college teaching that fosters sustained learning. The Center cultivates a campus culture that values diverse approaches to learning and teaching. It supports faculty in enhancing pedagogical practices and facilitates the exchange of ideas and development of community among faculty.
The Center for Teaching Excellence focuses on a variety of activities designed to support our mission, which include:
Jennifer Jefferson is the Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. She comes to this role after being a Visiting Assistant Professor in University Studies at St. Edward's University. Previously, she taught at The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University. Her educational background is in American Studies and Cultural Studies in Education.
She is committed to providing programming and support that is responsive to the St. Edward's community, and she collaborates across campus to address the complex needs of faculty at a liberal arts university. Some of her areas of interest include inclusive course development, reflective practice, and peer learning communities.
Faculty Fellows consult with instructors about relevant teaching issues, organize workshops, develop resources, facilitate communication about effective practices, and serve on committees related to teaching international students. To schedule a consultation or to brainstorm ideas about a workshop for your area, please email the faculty fellow best suited to your needs.
Selin E. Gunner teaches Middle East Survey, Middle East Politics & Government, International Political Economy, International Relations, Seminar on Development, and Political Theory. Her research interests include social movements in Turkey and the Middle East, political economy and democratization, and the impact of international systemic factors on democratization. Her work on these topics were published in many scholarly and policy journals. She is the faculty advisor for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Scholars Program, allowing top students to pursue an interdisciplinary curriculum. She is also the faculty advisor of the Model UN Student club which have participated in a nationwide Model UN Conference in San Francisco.
This academic year, the CTE Faculty Fellowship for Community Engaged Teaching & Learning (CETL) will focus on issues related to incorporating community-based learning in coursework at St. Edward’s. These issues include working with the Director of the Office of Community Engagement to document CETL at St. Edward’s; hosting faculty workshops that address best practices for developing, carrying out, and assessing the impact of CETL projects; offering one-on-one consultations for instructors immersed in CETL projects; and serving on committees related to CETL. In summary, Dr. Unger plans to facilitate a campus conversation about how St. Edward’s defines and implements CETL.
Faculty and staff engaged in, or interested in pursing, community-based work in Austin, Texas are encouraged to visit http://sites.stedwards.edu/communityengagement. The site describes campus resources and offers information and materials to help you build reciprocal and sustainable community partnerships, as well as resources for publishing and publicizing your CET&L work to others.
In her role as Diversity Faculty Fellow, Sara Villanueva’s primary objective is to increase faculty support related to the St. Edwards University Operating Principles around understanding and promoting diversity. Dr. Villanueva will help faculty create courses that prepare students to enter an increasingly diverse world with its corresponding opportunities and challenges. She will further support faculty by providing professional development workshops and will lead programs and provide services to: assist faculty in broadening the scope of their course materials, assignments, and activities to be more inclusive of issues related to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, ability status, social class, and/or sexuality; structure their course materials, assignments, and activities with a diverse student body and mind. The goals for this diversity fellowship reflect the fundamental principles embodied in the university’s Holy Cross mission and support the university’s devotion to social justice by educating minds and hearts in the way of all Holy Cross educators.
This academic year, the CTE Faculty Fellowship on Diversity will focus on various issues pertaining to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In addition to serving on committees to represent DE&I perspectives, Dr. Villanueva will continue to offer one-on-one consultations with faculty to discuss Diversity-related issues in the classroom. New programming this year also includes monthly E&I Community Potluck events, where faculty are encouraged to share insight and expertise in various topics centered on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as a quarterly E&I Newsletter to disseminate resources and relevant information to the larger St. Edward’s community. Anyone interested in learning more about the Diversity Fellowship can visit http://sites.stedwards.edu/diversity/.
Melodee Lujano, Administrative Coordinator
Mike Disch, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Kathleen Wilburn, Professor of Management
Alex Barron, Associate Professor of University Studies
Mary Brantl, Associate Professor of Visual Studies
Michael Saclolo, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Arcelia Hernandez, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
Laura Cottam Sajbel, Contingent Faculty Member, University Studies and Writing
Allyson Garcia, Student Representative
The Center for Teaching Excellence offers a variety of programs to improve teaching at the university, including:
Please visit our blog for more information: http://sites.stedwards.edu/cte/
New Faculty Orientation
(Contracted and Adjunct)
Monday, August 21, 2017
8:00 am - 3:00 pm, Fleck 305
Breakfast and lunch will be served. Please RSVP.
New Faculty Orientation Agenda
Teaching Symposium
Thursday, August 24, 2017
8:30–4:00,Fleck Hall, 3rd floor
Breakfast and lunch served. Please RSVP
Schedule and Full Program
Books & Coffee Reading Group
"Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning" by James M. Lang
Thursdays: September 7, October 5, November 2, and December 7
3:30 - 4:30 pm in Library 141
Documenting Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning
Fridays, September 8, October 6, November 3, and December 3
1:00-2:00 pm in Fleck Hall 315
Contact Don Unger (dunger1 [at] stedwards.edu) or Jennifer Jefferson(jennej [at] stedwards.edu) for more information
Equity and Inclusion Community Potluck
Fridays, September 15, October 20, and November 17
11:30-12:45 pm in Fleck Hall 306
Contact Sara Villanueva (saraa [at] stedwards.edu) or Jennifer Jefferson (jennej [at] stedwards.edu) for more information
CTE New Faculty Workshop & Tour
Friday, September 22
2:00 - 4:00, meet at the Red Doors of Main Building and end in Doyle Courtyard
Refreshments and Ice Cream snacks provided, please RSVP through link in your email invitation.
Polarization in the Classroom
Thursday, September 28
3:30 - 5:00 pm in Fleck Hall 314
Refreshments served.
Contact Selin Guner (seling [at] stedwards.edu) or Jennifer Jefferson (jennej [at] stedwards.edu) for more information
Combating the Mid-Semester Slump
Co-sponsored by the Center for Teaching Excellence, Information Technology and the Munday Library
Wednesday, October 11 - Luncheon
12:00 - 1:30 pm in Fleck Hall 305
Please RSVP to ensure correct catering counts at RSVP: Combat Midsemester Slump
The General Education Proposal Process: A Facilitated Workshop
Co-sponsored by the General Education Renewal Committee and the Requirement Development Committees
Tuesday, October 17
3:30 in Maloney
More information at this website.
Strategies for Supporting International Students
Friday, November 10
1:00 - 2:00 pm in Fleck Hall 315
Lunch served: Please RSVP here
Working with Peer Educators: How Peer-to-Peer Learning Can Support Your Teaching
Co-sponsored by the Center for Teaching Excellence and Student Life
Tuesday, November 14
12:30-1:45 in John Brooks Williams South 180
Lunch served: Please RSVP here
Discussion: Refreshing Your Approach Luncheon
Thursday, November 30
12:30-1:45 in Fleck Hall 305
Lunch served: Please RSVP here
New Faculty Orientation
(Contracted and Adjunct)
Monday, January 8, 2018
11:00 am - 3:00 pm, Mabee Ballroom A
Lunch will be served.
New Faculty Orientation Agenda
Innovation Fellows
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
8:00 - 5:00, Fleck 204, 206 and 207
Breakfast and Lunch provided.
Faculty Course Prep Day
Thursday, January 11, 2018
9:00 - 4:00 in Holy Cross Hall 105
Snacks will be available all day.
Books & Coffee - Wednesday Reading Group
Excerpts from a variety of publications - contact Dr. Jennifer Jefferson for details
Wednesdays: January 24, February 21, March 21 and April 25
1:00 - 2:00 pm in Holy Cross Hall 105
Books & Coffee - Thursday Reading Group
Excerpts from a variety of publications - contact Dr. Jennifer Jefferson for details
Wednesdays: January 25, February 22, March 22 and April 26
3:30 - 4:30 pm in Holy Cross Hall 105
Trying to Manage Grading
Friday, February 23, 2018
2:00 - 3:30 pm in Holy Cross Hall 105
Given annually, teaching excellence awards at St. Edward's University honor faculty for their exceptional talents and dedication to promoting learning in meaningful, engaging and innovative ways. The selection process is rigorous, evaluating candidates' course offerings, curricular designs, instructional methods, classroom performances, and interactions with students.
Four awards are given annually:
2016-2017 Teaching Winners
John Knorr
Distinguished Career Award
Steven Fletcher
Distinguished Teaching Award
Michael Kart
Distinguished Teaching Award
Scott McKinlay
Outstanding Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty
Innovation fellowships support faculty who need time, resources and expertise to include pedagogical experimentation in their courses by providing a $1,200 stipend, participation in the Summer 2017 Innovation Institute, and a community of faculty fellows focused on pedagogical innovation.
Learn about our 2016-2017 Innovation Fellows.
Read about past fellows.
Delayne Hudspeth, retired professor of Curriculum and Instruction and Instructional Technology at the University of Texas, was a mentor to several St. Edward's faculty members and scores of other master's and doctoral students. Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, Dr. Hudspeth's contributions to innovation in higher education are honored by this award.
This award recognizes St. Edward's teachers who create innovative learning environments. One award, in the amount of $500, may be given each year. The winning project is chosen by the Hudspeth Award Committee, a committee of faculty members from at least four of the St. Edward's schools.
All applications for the 2017-2018 Hudspeth Award process are due by the end of the day on September 20, 2017. Applications must be submitted online.
Who can self nominate? Faculty (full-time, part-time, and staff who teach) of all disciplines and ranks are encouraged to apply. Recipients of the award must wait five years before reapplying.
What course projects are eligible? Self nominations should highlight a specific project, assignment, exercise, teaching method or a new use of technology. They may also focus on the entire course, if the course design itself is novel.
Instructors may apply for the award based on an innovation planned and implemented in any of the three years previous to the application deadline. This year, projects implemented in any of the following semesters will be eligible:
A focus on innovation: Since this award celebrates innovation, preference will be given to projects that demonstrate the greatest levels of innovation and that clearly present the value of that innovation for student learning.
Note: There is a 3000-word limit on your application's total length, though no single question has a word limit. Please run a word count on your completed application before submitting it through the online form.
The submission form is designed to allow you to edit your responses even after submitting them. However, we encourage you to use the Hudspeth Guidelines to prepare your application in a Microsoft Word document before opening the submission form. You can then cut and paste your responses into the form's fields.
The winner(s) of the award will be decided upon by the faculty members of the Innovations in Teaching Committee. The CTE director does not influence or participate in the discussion or the voting.
The committee follows an established review practice: