Center for Innovation, Teaching, and Learning
Dr. Nikki Childrose, Director of CITL stated: “I am thrilled to lead the Center for Innovation, Teaching, and Learning, which will serve as a dynamic hub for transformative teaching practices, professional development, and collaborative learning. This center will unite our college community, inspiring excellence and innovation and creating a vibrant and supportive environment where every member of our college community can thrive and make a meaningful impact.”
Dr. Stacey Hills, Research and Assessment Fellow, stated: “I am really excited because we already have amazing educators who care about student success. I want us each to harness research-supported tools and practices to move towards real teaching mastery, and this fellowship is a way to help make that happen.”
Professor Matthew Kenny-Achieving the Dream/Equity Faculty Fellow, stated, “As an equity fellow in the center for teaching and learning, I have the opportunity to use data to identify areas of growth related to equity for the community, not just at the institution level but with a focus on the classroom experience. Gathering data on what we and other campuses do well, I hope to share best practices across Columbia-Greene.”
Professor Joe Scampoli, Instructional Technology Faculty Fellow, shared, “My faculty colleagues already provide engaging and effective educational experiences in their learning spaces. The continued integration of instructional technologies in their teaching practice only enhances student learning while supporting strategic initiatives. My goal is to provide advice, training, and support to experiment with online platforms and digital and media tools to enhance active learning spaces. I am honored to be part of this amazing team.”
- Our mission is to inspire excellence and innovation in teaching and learning.
- As a central resource for our campus, we offer tools, opportunities, and support to elevate
academic standards, enrich the student experience, and promote engagement. - We achieve this through fostering connections, encouraging collegiality, and facilitating
meaningful professional growth.
- Our vision is to lead transformative education by empowering educators to innovate,
collaborate, and lead. We champion the development of inclusive and dynamic learning
environments that foster student success and equitable outcomes. - As a hub for idea sharing, we exchange promising practices, utilize data for continuous
improvement and effectiveness, and provide innovative strategies to enhance the student
experience. - Committed to academic excellence and diversity, we drive educational innovation within
and beyond our community
- Our work is grounded in research, theory, and best-practice.
- Facilitating Faculty Development: Post-pandemic research highlights the critical role of
faculty development in effectively transitioning to and enhancing teaching methods in all
modalities (Hodges et al., 2020). - Supporting Student Engagement: Recent studies emphasize active learning strategies and
technology integration as essential for maintaining and increasing student engagement in
all learning environments (Means et al., 2021). - Ensuring Academic Quality: Quality assurance frameworks and assessment strategies are
more crucial than ever post-pandemic to maintain academic rigor and ensure equitable
learning outcomes in digital education (Hodges et al., 2020; Quality Matters, n.d.).
- Innovation: Research suggests that cultivating a culture of innovation in higher education
institutions leads to enhanced teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes
(Kezar & Maxey, 2014). - Integration of Emerging Technologies: Emerging technologies such as AI, VR, and AR have
demonstrated potential to improve learning experiences and outcomes in higher education
(Hodges et al., 2020). - Continuous Improvement and Effectiveness: Continuous improvement processes,
including evaluation and feedback mechanisms, are critical for adapting teaching practices
to meet evolving educational needs (Bamberger & Tal, 2008).
Together, we are limitless.
The CITL inclusively supports innovation, program development, and delivery in the following key
areas:
- Faculty
- Student Affairs
- Administration
- Non-Credit and Community Engagement
- Non-Instructional and Functional Areas
- Investing in Institutional Strength: Retaining experienced faculty and higher education
professionals is crucial for maintaining institutional continuity, fostering a stable and
innovative academic environment, and sustaining institutional knowledge (Boyer &
Balcazar, 2017). - Facilitating Career Growth: Supporting retention through professional development
opportunities, research support, and recognition enhances career satisfaction and growth
for both faculty and higher education professionals (McGill et al., 2019). - Promoting Well-being: Prioritizing well-being initiatives, including workload balance,
collegiality, scholarship of teaching and learning, mental health support, and inclusive
workplace practices, contributes to overall institutional success and enhances job
satisfaction among faculty and higher education professionals (Greenhaus & Allen, 2011). - Excellence in Education: SUNY’s dedication to excellence in education, achieved through
faculty/staff development and innovative teaching practices, perfectly aligns with CITL’s
mission. - Accreditation Expectations: We aim to address MSCHE accreditation expectations and
other program-specific accreditation requirements by promoting continuous improvement
in teaching effectiveness, fostering a culture of assessment, maintaining a commitment to
innovative practices, and striving to enhance achievement of student learning outcomes.
Faculty Fellow: CITL Director
Focus:
• Innovation
• Pedagogy and Instructional Design
• Program Support and Development
Faculty Fellow: Achieving the Dream and Equity
Focus:
• Equity
• Inclusion
• Social Justice and Transformative Teaching and Learning
Faculty Fellow: Instructional Technology
Focus:
• Administering and supporting instructional technologies
• Designing training materials
• Exploring emerging technologies for enhanced educationFaculty
Fellow: Research and Assessment
Focus:
• Conducting scholarly inquiry and engagement to advance CITL’s mission and support
scholarship of teaching and learning
• Guiding research standards
• Leading academic assessments, and promoting continuous improvement
• Establishing and overseeing the Institutional Review Board