Center for Educational Excellence (CEE) 2022-23 Annual Report

Center for Educational Excellence

ANNUAL REPORT

2022-23

IRECTOR'S LETTER This year life on campus slowly but surely regrew into the vibrant community of in-person activities and interactions that we had so sorely missed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us began teaching without masks and began to feel more comfortable gathering for some events instead of logging onto Zoom for them. Our USD faculty showed incredible heart through this transition. Across the year they demonstrated over and over again their commitment to student learning, student engagement and student success. The CEE saw record numbers of faculty, postdocs and staff diligently working with us to expand their teaching repertoires and to navigate the ever-shifting dynamics of holding students to high academic standards while also being flexible and compassionate at the same time.

Just when we thought we might have some reprieve from the upheaval of remote teaching and settle into more stable rhythms of classroom life, generative AI emerged on the scene in the form of ChatGPT. Again, our faculty responded with resilience and heart as we all began to learn about and adapt to generative AI. In summer 2023 we again saw record numbers of faculty, postdocs and staff investing their time and energy in CEE workshops, communities of practice and other resources to gain more confident footing around this newly erupted feature of the educational landscape. Dauntless.

I am proud of who we are at USD. Thank you for bringing your best selves to the classroom.

Table of Contents

A Year in Review............................................4 Enhancing Faculty Teaching Toolkits..........6 Enhancing Collegiate Connections................8 New Initiatives.............................................10 Participant Feedback...................................12 Recognizing Faculty Efforts........................14 Meet the Team..............................................15

“I re do f

A Year in Review

- Ch resp Boo

Copley 2.1%

ENGAGEMENT This year, 307 unique faculty engaged with the CEE over 1,386 times. Of those faculty, 100% of academic units were represented (breakdown shown in graph).

“Knowing that your office exists is such a relief.”

- Yi Lin, Languages, Cultures, & Literatures

KSB 20.1%

Kroc 2.4%

CAS 50.9%

SOLES 6.2%

SMSE PCE 7.3% 0.7%

HSON 6.2% Law 4.2%

FEEDBACK

150 100 50 1

2

3

4

5

Among the faculty participants who gave feedback, 97.5% rated a 4 or above on a 5-point scale.

eally appreciate the work you all for USD.”

ris Marcum, Copley Library, in ponse to collaborating on the One ok, One San Diego program.

EMERGING TRENDS A total of 40 CEE offerings were curated based on faculty requests, encompassing subjects such as generative AI, student support, community building, and DEIA themes.

JOINT EFFORTS We collaborated with 23 different campus entities to offer events, communities of practice, reading circles, and online resources.

“You and the CEE make substantive and helpful work for lecturers. Your work is needed and absolutely necessary! Thank you for what you do for our adjunct faculty.”

- Karen Shelby, Political Science & International Relations

PROMOTING EQUITY 72 CEE offerings, including events, reading circles, initiatives, awards, and resources, fostered and promoted equity, specifically around racial equity, adjunct faculty, and bias in student evaluations.

Awards

Resources

Events

Initiatives

Reading Circles

Enhancing Faculty Teaching Toolkits

“This was a great class- thank you so much for offering it. I've been a faculty member for 7 years but haven’t taken any 'formal' classes.

I really appreciate you.”

- Faculty participant of Setting Up a Syllabus that Makes Sense workshop

“Great workshop, I was able to implement what I learned immediately.”

- Faculty participant of Liquid Syllabi: Moving from Static to Dynamic workshop

COURSE DESIGN WORKSHOPS

Over the year, the CEE held 8 workshops reaching 145 faculty on topics such as syllabus construction, grading, teaching strategies, diversity audits and contemplative practices.

Highly recommend these reading circles, particularly for new faculty!”

- Faculty participant of Super Courses Reading Circle

READING CIRCLES & COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE

76 faculty participated across 16 groups on topics such as decolonizing methodologies, wellness, course design, linguistic justice, dynamic lecturing, and syllabus audits.

“Thank you so much for offering these reading circles. I learned so much from the reading, and this book offered so much opportunity for discussion. I feel so fortunate to have these opportunities at USD. Thank you!”

- Faculty participant of How the Word is Passed Reading Circle co-sponsored by CID

“Thank you CEE for another eye opening educational session!”

- Sheree Scott, School of Nursing, participant of Linguistic Justice Workshop with Dr. April Baker-Bell

“Helped me understand that I have a lot of work to do in terms of creating a more inclusive practice and offered solid steps I can take to get there.”

- Participant of Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education with Drs. Rita Kumar & Brenda Refaei

“Thank you! This was very helpful and the resources are awesome!”

- Maya Kalyanpur, Learning and Teaching, participant of Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education with Drs. Rita Kumar & Brenda Refaei

GUEST SPEAKERS

72 faculty and staff attended our two guest speaker events.

One with Drs. Rita Kumar & Brenda Refaei on becoming a more inclusive practitioner through pedagogy, curricula, & assessment. And another with Dr. April Baker-Bell on how to integrate linguistic justice into curriculum and instruction.

“Hi Lisa, amazing guide on ChatGPT. Thanks for all you do.”

- Avi Spiegel, Political Science and International Relations

RESOURCES AT YOUR OWN PACE Beyond events and synchronous gatherings, the CEE delivered 293 teaching books, 10 pedagogical grants, and multiple slide decks featuring content such as creating an accessible slide deck, strategies for disengaged students, and ideas on navigating generative AI in the classroom.

Enhancing Collegiate Connections We believe that cross-disciplinary interactions spark creativity, collaboration, and meaningful relationships and that inspiring growth in teaching includes paying attention to holistic wellbeing and balance among professional demands such as scholarship and service.

Over the last year: The CEE partnered with Student Support Services (SSS) to invite 19 faculty to come together to welcome 87 new summer bridge students.

“Meeting incoming students and learning their various backgrounds; meeting SSS alums and hearing about their experience and advice they give incoming students.

Good experience - yes, sponsor again.”

- Faculty Participant

The CEE's Adjunct Liaison and Racial Equity Liaison developed a new event titled "Respite" that invited non-tenure track faculty of color to gather and be celebrated. ations convers e candid th ti d a te vig ng cia olor” na “I appre ” ulty of c c a eriences. “f p t x e u l abo fessiona ro p d n t a l ipan persona y Partic - Facult

The CEE and the Mulvaney Center hosted another successful End-of-Year Celebration that honored faculty for their commitment to racial equity and educational excellence in the community.

“Thanks for m

aking me feel so welcome.”

- Marcelle Da rby, Biology

61 faculty met with colleagues to discuss and share teaching and mentoring ideas through the CEE's A Little Bit of Teaching initiative.

“Thank you

for hosting th is - such a great idea.”

- Debbie Fino cchio, Chem istry & Biochemistr y

The CEE delivered 33 Granola Grams and Wellness Grams to faculty across campus, thanking them for their teaching efforts.

e to receiv ays nice lw a . it 's t It c ea! ast expe terrific id en you le .”

“What a thing wh e dership a m le so t a re a little Studies r your g e fo c a u e o P y l of Thank z, Schoo Márque - Patricia

“This week, I went to my mailbox and received a wonderful surprise!

Brought a smile to my face and I found lots of thoughtful gifts inside.

Very much appreciate your kindness…”

- Virginia Nelson, School of Law

The CEE Faculty Wellness Space was visited over 236 times by faculty to rest and recharge between classes.

“Well that was delightful! I was already impressed with the CEE, but now I am an even bigger fan! Thank you for all you do and for building that beautiful space for faculty to relax and get a massage. It was the highlight of my day. I have already signed up weekly for the rest of August. Very exciting!”

- Bridget Frese, School of Nursing

“It’s so peacef ul

here! It’s an oa sis!”

- Odilka Sant iago, Sociolog y

New Initiatives OPEN CLASSROOM

“I really enjoyed attending my colleagues' class sessions. Each professor has a unique style to deliver content and engage their students. Very insightful.”

- Faculty participant of the Open Classroom initiative

An opportunity to sit in on a colleague’s class for one day. Learn something interesting in a new discipline. Learn a new teaching dance move or two. Get better acquainted with colleagues across campus.

“I learned so much, and it was delightful to spend time in a beautiful place with colleagues! Thank you so much for these opportunities.”

- Faculty participant of Mt. Palomar Faculty Excursion

FACULTY EXCURSIONS An opportunity to visit unique and meaningful local spaces, meet and build relationships with colleagues across campus, and learn something new that may inspire new teaching ideas.

“You all are the BEST.”

REJECTION PARTY

- Drew Talley, Environmental & Ocean Sciences, Collaborator of Rejection Party

The CEE collaborated with the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Dr. Drew Talley, EOSC, to provide an all-campus event that reframes "rejection."

FACULTY-LED INITIATIVES A funded opportunity for faculty to bring an idea that inspires, educates, or builds community around teaching and learning to fruition.

“These small group sessions have been a wonderful way for us to connect with our faculty in a casual but informative way."

- Melissa Abernathy, Legal Resource Center , Faculty-Led Initiative Participant

What Faculty are Saying About the CEE "I have been at USD since 2014, and the CEE has always been such an invaluable resource, and indicator of the university's sincere commitment to teaching.

However, I am floored by how comprehensive CEE's engagement and efforts have been in the last couple of years. "Absolutely stellar" is not over the top, given CEE's current organization, presentations, choice of topics covered, outreach efforts, communications and connections, etc....and even a meditation room! This year's communications and session have honestly left no outstanding questions to be answered.

Honestly, thank you for your creativity, execution, and personalization of such an important effort that helps us become better educators.”

- Indrani Ganguly-Fitzgerald, Biology

“The work you do at the CEE is relevant and impactful, and much appreciated by faculty.”

- Antonieta Mercado, Communication Studies

“I wish I would have met y'all so much sooner but I am glad we did get to meet! Thank you for all that you do for our communities.”

- Lan Thị Nguyễn, School of Peace Studies

“Please know I am so filled with gratitude and appreciation for you and the work of the CEE in helping folks try to be the best we can be in the profession.”

- Michele Watkins, Theology & Religious Studies

“The work the CEE is doing is impressive! You’re a solid team!”

- Adriana Vamosiu, Economics

“Thank you so much for these valuable resources. I very much appreciate the thoughtfulness with which you selected them for me. I am so glad to be able to use the CEE as a resource for my classes!”

- Martin Repinecz, Languages, Cultures and Literatures

“I wanted to make sure you knew how much I've enjoyed working with you and the CEE. You have been integral in my growth as an educator.”

- Theresa Nguyen, School of Nursing

“Thank you, to all you wonderful CEE heroes! I really appreciate the thoughtfulness with which you do your work. Lots of kudos to y’all!”

- Ihan “Anita” Ip, Leadership Studies

“I really appreciate the work you've been doing these past few years and how much it's helped faculty and students who struggle and/or don't

“I wanted to send a quick note thanking you for the wonderful resources you have made available through the CEE. I subscribed to Monday Mentor last spring and found it helpful, especially the one on using micro-activities in the classroom. Moreover, I have benefitted from your slide decks on fluid syllabus, diversity and inclusion, and less painful grading (it never becomes pain free!). Although I consider myself a good teacher, I love learning to become a better one. You and the CEE are contributing to that endeavor! I appreciate your hard work.”

- Evelyn Kirkley, Theology & Religious Studies

know who to rely on. It's so important to have that support on campus.”

- Leonora Simonovis, Languages, Cultures and Literatures

"I always knew how great the CEE was but not how great it could be."

- Diane Keeling, Communication Studies

“I continue to be impressed with the innovation and interaction from CEE staff and other faculty at these events, Thank you!”

- Faculty participant of Liquid Syllabus: Moving from Static to Dynamic workshop

Recognizing Faculty Efforts CEE's Racial Equity Awards

The CEE offers two nomination-based awards each year to honor faculty members committed to pedagogies and content on racial justice and BIPoC scholarship and who demonstrate inclusive practices that support and encourage Black students academically. Each year we are both impressed and inspired by the work faculty have been doing to help make USD a place where racial justice, BIPoC scholarship, and Black excellence is part and parcel to academic life.

Freire and hooks Decolonial Pedagogy Award Recipients

Kate Boersma CAS - Biology

Peter Mena CAS - Theology & Religious Studies

Bridget Frese School of Nursing

Fostering Black Educational Excellence Award Recipients

Michele Watkins CAS - Theology & Religious Studies

Joseph Lathan Maya Kalyanpur SOLES SOLES Learning & Learning & Teaching Teaching

CEE & Mulvaney Center's Educational Excellence in the Community Award

This award seeks to encourage, celebrate, and disseminate the innovative and original work implemented by faculty that is designed both to deepen student learning and produce positive impact in the community through democratic and mutually-beneficial off-campus community partnerships.

Alberto Pulido CAS - Ethnic Studies The Turning Wheel Project

Truc Ngo SMSE - Industrial & Systems Engineering Humanitarian Project in the Dominican Republic

Meet the CEE Team CEE Core Team

Lisa Nunn Director

Rhea Webb Assistant Director

Jesús Martinez Saucedo Administrative Assistant

Benj Gonzalez Student Visual Media Assistant

Aren Kotoyan Student Office Assistant

CEE Liaisons T.J. Tallie Racial Equity Liaison

David Miller Adjunct Liaison

CEE Advisory Board

Adriana Alexander Kull Vamosiu KSB - Marketing KSB - Economics

Chris Marcum Copley Library

Frank Jacobitz SMSE Mechanical Engineering

John Loggins Mulvaney Center

Joseph Provost CAS - Chemistry & Biochemistry

Kevin Guerrieri CAS - Languages, Cultures & Literatures

Martha Fuller School of Nursing

Meghan Donnelly CAS Anthropology

Melissa Abernathy Legal Research Center

Yi Sun CAS - History

Leslie Boozer SOLES Leadership Studies

CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 260-7402 www.sandiego.edu/cee