Meet Troy University’s New Provost Teaching Fellows: Five Faculty Members Enhancing Education Excellence

Five faculty members at Troy University have been chosen as Provost Teaching Fellows. This initiative is part of the new Teaching Excellence Collaborative aimed at enhancing teaching quality throughout the university.

The Teaching Excellence Collaborative will support faculty with resources, professional development, and mentorship. The selected fellows are Dr. John Dove, Dr. Tammy Esteves, Dr. Karen Ross, Dr. Adam Rutkowski, and Dr. Robert Vilardi.

Dr. Heather Small and Dr. Leora Waldner lead this program. Last month, they held an event where the fellows met university administrators and discussed the initiative’s goals.

Dr. Kerry Palmer, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, emphasized the significance of outstanding teaching for student success. “What faculty do in the classroom is vital. We must support and encourage excellent teaching,” he stated. He hopes this initiative will foster innovation in teaching practices and help all faculty improve.

The selected faculty members are enthusiastic about their new roles. Dr. Tammy Esteves believes that teaching creates lasting impacts, stating, “It’s the heart of what we do. I want to empower future faculty to teach with excellence, passion, and purpose.”

Dr. Adam Rutkowski is excited about sharing his love for experiential learning. He noted, “Teaching is the most important part of the university. Hands-on instruction can make a real difference.”

Dr. John Dove feels passionate about mentoring junior faculty. “It’s crucial to have talented people in the classroom. I want to help them grow their skills,” he said.

Dr. Karen Ross is dedicated to improving teaching methods. “Most of us don’t just automatically know how to teach. We need to learn and adapt,” she explained.

Dr. Robert Vilardi sees this initiative as a chance to make a real impact on both faculty and students. “We owe it to our students to provide the best learning environment possible,” he shared.

With ongoing discussions about educational effectiveness, many educators and institutions are looking for ways to enhance their teaching approaches. According to a recent survey by the Educause Center for Analysis and Research, 76% of faculty believe that innovative teaching methods significantly improve student learning outcomes.

As universities strive for excellence, initiatives like the Provost Teaching Fellows at Troy University are becoming essential. By emphasizing collaboration and continual growth, schools can better prepare educators to inspire their students and contribute to a more engaging learning environment.

For more insights about enhancing teaching and learning in higher education, check out the latest reports from the Educause and University of Maryland.

Source link

Dr. Adam Rutkowski,Dr. Heather Small,Dr. John Dove,Dr. Karen Ross,Dr. Kerry Palmer,Dr. Leora Waldner,Dr. Robert Vilardi,Dr. Tammy Esteves,Provost Teaching Fellows,Teaching Excellence,Teaching Excellence Collaborative