August 20, 2020

Mayville State University is partnering with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to help prepare and credential faculty in the evidence-based teaching practices proven to increase student achievement and close equity gaps. As part of a Department of Education Title III initiative to support student success, approximately 30 Mayville State faculty members have been selected to enroll in ACUE’s 25-week course, Effective Online Teaching Practices. They will learn about and implement proven teaching approaches for online instruction. Faculty who satisfy the course requirements will be awarded a nationally recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction which is endorsed by the American Council of Education.

ACUE’s courses in effective teaching practices are based on more than three decades of research that demonstrates that effective teaching improves learning for all students. According to independently validated research, students, particularly those who are underserved, are more engaged, learn more, and complete courses in greater numbers when taught by ACUE-credentialed faculty.

Mayville State has begun to recruit faculty to participate in the ACUE course that will begin in the fall of 2020. Co-facilitators, Chris Gonnella and Jeni Peterson, have been working in conjunction with ACUE directors to design an implementation of the professional development program aligned with Mayville State University’s mission to deliver flexible programs, instruction, and student services to meet the needs of the individual. MSU is dedicated to excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship in dynamic, inclusive, and supportive environments.

According to Dr. Tami Such, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, “We are very fortunate to have the ability to provide this meaningful and impactful professional development opportunity for our faculty. The course is nationally recognized and endorsed by the American Council of Education, and it leads to certification in effective college instruction. We are excited to engage a number of our faculty in professional development activities focused on effective online instruction and active learning strategies, expanding faculty knowledge and resources so they can enhance the quality and rigor of their online courses and foster improved student achievement.”

Faculty representing every campus division will participate in the Online Effective Teaching Practices course. The 2020-21 cohort of participants is as follows:

  • Division of Business: Rhonda Nelson, Dr. Donna Gutschmidt, and Gene Levitt;
  • Division of Education: Dr. Cindy Gregg, Dr. Brittany Hagen, Dr. Pamela Johnson, Sarah Kallock, Carly Theis, and Jeni Peterson (co-facilitator);
  • Division of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation: Katie Aasen, Alex Herman, and Michelle Warren;
  • Division of Liberal Arts:
    • English, Communications, and Performing Arts: Dr. Carolyn Baker, Dr. Cody Hunter, Dr. Erin Kunz, Aprill Hastings, Greta Paschke, and Michele Willman
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences: Dr. Robert Bennett, Dr. John Pederson, Lona Smith, Misti Wuori, and Chris Gonnella (co-facilitator)
  • Division of Nursing: Lindsey Bontjes, Collette Christoffers, Donna Craigmile, Carey Haugen, and Janell Juelich
  • Division of Science and Mathematics: Dr. Joseph Mehus, Dr. Khwaja Hossain, Jeff Hovde, Taylor Simon, Fred Strand, and Mary Townsend

More about ACUE: The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) promotes student success through quality instruction. In partnership with colleges, universities, higher education systems and associations, ACUE prepares and credentials faculty in the evidence-based teaching practices that improve student achievement and close equity gaps. Numerous and independently validated efficacy studies confirm that students are more engaged, learn more, and complete courses in greater numbers—more equitably with their peers—when taught by ACUE-credentialed faculty. ACUE’s online, cohort-based credentialing programs are delivered through institutional partnerships and open enrollment courses endorsed by the American Council on Education.

To learn more, visit www.mayvillestate.edu/acue.