For Second Consecutive Year, Husson University Joins Prestigious National Initiative to Strengthen Teaching and Learning
Published on: August 7, 2019
BANGOR, MAINE - This year, Husson University will again be partnering with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to enrich faculty members’ and students’ experiences across various disciplines with instructional skills proven to enhance student motivation, learning and persistence. Participating faculty members, upon successfully completing the program requirements, are awarded a nationally recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction that’s co-endorsed by ACUE and the American Council on Education (ACE).
The initial training session for Husson faculty will be taking place at the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business, 64 Kagan Drive, Bangor, Maine, on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
“Last year, 47 Husson faculty members earned a nationally recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction, with a concentration in in Career Guidance and Readiness, co-endorsed by ACUE and the American Council on Education (ACE),” said Dr. Lynne Coy-Ogan, Husson University’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “The program included 25 online modules across five units of study aligned with ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework.”
Reflecting on the program, Coy-Ogan also said, “It was designed to help faculty members in multiple disciplines enhance their instructional skills. These enhanced skills are helping to improve Husson students’ motivation, learning, and persistence.”
Husson faculty members agree that this training is worthwhile. In a post-course survey conducted by ACUE, 93 percent of the faculty who participated in 2018 – 2019 reported that the modules were helpful in refining their teaching practice.
ACUE’s courses in effective teaching practices are based on more than three decades of research that shows how effective teaching improves learning for all students. Elizabeth Vigue, Husson University’s Assistant Director of the Office of Assessment will once again lead and mentor the faculty as they complete their 25 learning modules over the course of three semesters.
“Husson University is Northern New England’s leading professional educator,” said Vigue. “In addition to having years of practical hands-on experience in their areas of expertise, Husson University faculty members are dedicated to being the best teachers they can be. Husson students have a reputation for being work-ready day one. Our faculty’s exceptional educational abilities combined with their workplace insights, based on personal experience, is what makes them some of the best educators in Maine.”
Aligned with the latest research in cognition and adult learning, ACUE’s courses address over 200 evidence-based teaching practices, covering how to design an effective course, establish a productive learning environment, use active learning techniques, promote higher-order thinking and utilize assessments to inform instruction and promote learning. ACUE also promotes a “students’-first” focus on motivating students to persist in their studies by creating opportunities for students to engage with alumni and community professionals in order to see the relevance of coursework to their future goals. During the three-semester cycle, participants will also have opportunities to discuss pedagogy with some of the experts who contributed to the ACUE modules. Faculty will come away from the ACUE experience with an instructional toolkit that will enhance the delivery of their content expertise.
For more than 120 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells, and Northern Maine, provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. According to a recent analysis by U.S. News & World Report, Husson University is the most affordable private college in New England. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.
The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) believes that all college students deserve an extraordinary education and that faculty members play a critical role in their success. In partnership with institutions of higher education nationwide, ACUE supports and credentials faculty members in the use of evidence-based teaching practices that drive student engagement, retention, and learning. Faculty members who complete ACUE courses earn certificates in effective college instruction endorsed by the American Council on Education. ACUE’s Community of Professional Practice connects college educators from across the country through member forums, podcasts, and updates on the latest developments in the scholarship of teaching and learning. To learn more, visit acue.org.