Strategic Plan

 

Mission

The Teaching for Learning Center (T4LC) provides professional development to empower fellow MU educators to create transformative learning environments that inspire excellence, innovation, and equity. By fostering a vibrant academic community with all faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and professional staff in instructional roles, the T4LC advances inclusive and effective teaching practices in all modalities for student learning and success.

Vision

Every MU educator practices inclusive and effective teaching across modalities, enabling all students to thrive and achieve their fullest potential.

Goals:

1. Establish partnerships with academic leadership regarding the importance of effective teaching for student learning, retention, and graduation.

Strategies:

  1. Connect with select Deans on shared goals, informing them of services and programs the Center offers, and identify academic units that would benefit based on a model for effective relationships.
  2. Interface with Deans Council, VPUGS Associate Deans meetings, Chairs meetings, and DUGS.
  3. Collaborate with the Associate Provost for Academic Programs to systematically identify departments that would benefit from greater professional development in teaching.
  4. Develop a new department liaison program to serve as point people for review of teaching and other functions.

2. Expand focus on teaching innovations related to AI and emerging technologies for Mizzou educators.

Strategies:

  1. Evaluate current offerings in all areas (not just AI) and determine programs to discontinue due to low interest and participation.
  2. Create a plan to hire and retain staff and faculty fellows to meet growing need.
  3. Develop team/individual development models for on-going learning with menu options and sharing out.
  4. Develop a cohesive set of offerings for varying levels, cluster disciplines, and emerging needs.
  5. Provide Just In Time opportunities via “help desk” style with expanded messaging (not culturally).
  6. Develop a cohesive set of resources.

3. Support educators as they adopt inclusive & effective teaching practices (and go through the review of teaching processes).

Strategies:

  1. Provide timely opportunities that align with faculty annual deadlines.
  2. Create a plan to build relationships with academic unit leaders.
  3. Develop a plan to provide programs within select departments.
  4. Create incentives/stipends to participate and complete programs.
  5. Develop select certificates / certifications or alternative digital credentials for graduate students/faculty who complete programs.

4. Increase participation in the T4LC programs for course modification or full course redesign to improve student learning and success, especially for areas with identifiable need.

Strategies:

  1. Evaluate DFWI rates and identify courses in need.
  2. Develop a signature program for course redesign that is flexible and meets various needs.
  3. Create a plan to secure funds to provide incentives for redesign, implementation, and assessment of learning (e.g., close the loop).
  4. Identify and recruit existing partners (e.g., Campus Writing Program) to support the course redesign institute.
  5. Identify and recruit partners in academic programs, especially those with identifiable need, to serve as course redesign advocates and hosts within their department.

5. Enhance programs for newer to teaching educators and new to Mizzou educators.

Strategies:

  1. Create incentives to participate in T4LC programs.
  2. Gain financial support.
  3. Launch digital micro-credentials.
  4. Develop a standardized and reliable process to receive new hires from department chairs (attend department chair meetings).
  5. Create a Qualtrics form for Chairs/HR to submit names and contact information.
  6. Create learning objectives for each new educators cohort.
  7. Establish a complementary mentorship program such that mentors receive service credit.
  8. Invite educators who implement inclusive and effective teaching practices to present at a T4LC conference or future NFOs (e.g., panel).

6. Cultivate existing and new partnerships with internal and external groups on special projects that align to our mission and vision.

Strategies:

  1. Identify and solidify internal collaborators and shared goals.
  2. Develop a fundraising plan.