Jonesboro – In early August, Arkansas State University hosted its first Summer Teaching Summit, a three‑day retreat designed to deepen faculty expertise in evidence‑based instruction. The summit, organized by the A‑State Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), welcomed eighteen full‑time faculty members from a range of disciplines.
Purpose and Leadership
Interim Chancellor Calvin White Jr. has emphasized teaching as a core strength of the university. CETL director Dr. Jill Simons said the retreat reflects that vision, noting that “teaching has always mattered, but now more than ever it is central to who we are as an institution and to the success of our students.”
The summit’s curriculum focused on evidence‑based learning strategies. Sessions were led by two A‑State faculty‑in‑residence—Dr. John Hershberger, associate professor of chemistry, and Dr. Loretta McGregor, associate dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Science and professor of psychology—along with keynote speakers Dr. Claire Major of the University of Alabama Teaching Academy and Dr. Amy Hawkins, assistant provost at the University of Central Arkansas.
Faculty Participants
Participants represented a broad cross‑section of the university’s academic units. They included Professor Nicole Arnell (graphic design), Dr. Binol Balachandar (nursing), Dr. Angelo Brown (criminology), Dr. Kelsie Clark (physical therapy), Dr. Michael Cooper (nursing), Dr. Maureen Dolan (molecular biology), Dr. Matthew Harmon (nursing), Mark Herman (philosophy), and Chad Martin (teacher education). Additional attendees were Cassaundra McCauley (writing and reading in transition studies), Dr. Philip Johnson (veterinary medicine), Dr. Nilesh Kumar (management), Dr. Patrice Parkinson (counseling), Dr. Amin Abbasi Pooya (information systems and business analytics), Dr. Paula Ruby (information systems and business analytics), Caitlan Smith (art history), Dr. Deborah Wammack (reading), and Dr. Chiqian Zhang (civil engineering).
Program Highlights
The summit offered faculty a chance to step away from the regular academic calendar, connect with colleagues across campus, and explore innovative classroom practices. CETL staff member Dean Murry and Associate Vice Chancellor for Accreditation and Assessment Dr. Melanie Wicinski helped facilitate the immersive experience atop Petit Jean Mountain in Morrilton.
Through workshops, dialogue, and interaction with nationally recognized teaching experts, participants aimed to bring back strategies that improve student outcomes. The competitive selection process was open to all full‑time faculty, underscoring the university’s commitment to professional development for its educators.
Looking Ahead
University leaders hope the summit will become an annual fixture, reinforcing A‑State’s dedication to high‑quality instruction. By investing in faculty development, the institution seeks to enhance student success and maintain its reputation as a teaching‑focused university.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
