Academic Updates

NEW MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING

In August 2020, TWU welcomed the first cohort in the new Master of Arts in Teaching program. This program builds on the strength of TWU’s education program and offers a path to initial licensure for students who already have a degree in a discipline outside of education. The TWU MAT is focused on high needs areas in the state of Tennessee and contains pathways for elementary, special education, and secondary education (science and math). The program also contains a job-embedded pathway for individuals who are already teaching and need to complete licensure requirements. With recent re-approval of the TWU Education Program from the Tennessee Board of Education and a 100% pass rate on the EdTPA assessment for licensure (one of only three programs in the state), the new MAT program is poised for success.

MERNER PFEIFFER LEARNING COMMONS

Renovations within the Merner Pfeiffer Library continue with funding through the Title III initiative. In addition to last year’s new learning commons on the first floor, loanable technology, and a renovated tutoring center, the fall of 2020 saw the renovation of the ground floor café space to create a teaching and learning center. This space includes a malleable classroom for testing new teaching strategies, office space for an instructional designer, a 3-D printer, and more. The renovation also includes an update to the café space for TWU students to enjoy. THE BULLDOG CONNECTION

As part of the 10-year reaffirmation process for TWU through SACSCOC, our main accrediting body, TWU has developed and implemented a new program designed to connect the TWU experience to students’ future career goals. The Bulldog Connection, as the program has been dubbed, will ensure that four-year TWU students are engaging in a minimum number of high impact practices (first year experience, undergraduate research, diversity/global learning, service learning, internships, etc.). These experiences will be linked to tangible products entered into an e-portfolio to support student efforts to gain employment or enter graduate or professional school. Scan the QR code below to watch a video about the Bulldog Connection.

TIMELY ADDITION OF A PUBLIC HEALTH MAJOR

With no knowledge that a global pandemic would soon occur, a new concentration in public health was introduced in the spring of 2020. This major builds on the already robust

offerings within the Health and Human Performance department at TWU. This addition was accompanied by the renovation of new space for this department in the old Townsend student center space and includes two new classrooms, faculty offices, and student study spaces. This area is conveniently located adjacent to the Thunder Fitness Center, allowing faculty and students easy access to modern workout facilities.

STUDENT SUPPORT AT TWU

TWU students expect to be challenged academically on their path to graduation. To ensure student success in this rigorous academic environment, TWU has recently implemented a number of new initiatives aimed at ensuring that students reach graduation. These initiatives are made possible through a multi-million dollar federal Title III grant and include robust reporting of student absences and academic progress early in the semester, a team of Student Success Coaches, new software for tracking communication for at-risk students, a team of Faculty Teaching Innovation Fellows, and more. Faculty and Student Success Coaches work together to identify and communicate with students who are struggling, particularly in their freshman year. Freshman retention rates indicate that this high touch approach is working with a two-year increase of 9%. KILBRIDE NATURE SANCTUARY ENHANCEMENTS

The Kilbride Nature Sanctuary continues to serve as a model for conservation and restoration. In addition to the work to replace non-native plants with indigenous species by faculty and students, work has progressed to make the property more inviting to groups for educational experiences. With funding provided by the Pete and Sally Smith Foundation, over a mile of hiking trails with signage, a pavilion at the main trailhead, and a composting privy have been installed. These additions will enhance the ability to host groups from elementary to college level for educational programming related to the efforts at the KNS. As the amenities at KNS have grown, so have the number of majors in environmental science, making it one of the fastest growing programs at TWU.