Continue to enhance your teaching by participating in the Early Career Teaching and Learning Program within the first five years you are an instructor or faculty member. Through discussion, practice, and reflection in cross-disciplinary large and small group interactions, you'll work to deepen your understanding of student learning and broaden teaching strategies with your courses in mind. We encourage participants to be teaching while enrolled in this program.
Large Group Sessions include pre-work, engagement in an interactive workshop, and teaching activities. Topics include:
- September - Course design and effective teaching practices
- October - Course climate and community
- November - How do we learn, anyway? Teaching for learning
- February - Assessing learning through activities and assignments
- March - Grading and academic integrity
- April - Evaluating your teaching and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
Small Group Discussions included a task to be completed and exchange of participant-created materials. Topics include:
- October - Planning your course context
- December - Applying teaching for learning
- February - Receiving and using feedback on your teaching
- March - Continuing to grow as a teacher throughout your career
The core goal of the Early Career Teaching and Learning Program is to support faculty and instructors in developing and enhancing teaching skills as part of establishing a foundation for a lifetime of effective and engaging teaching.
Meeting Details
During 2026–2027, large groups will meet on Wednesdays from 3pm - 4:30pm (Central Time): September 16, October 14, November 11, February 17, March 24, and April 28. All large group sessions meet online via Zoom meetings.
Multidisciplinary small groups meet from 3pm – 4:30pm (central time) on October 21 and December 2, with dates and times for two meetings in the spring semester (in January and March or April) to be arranged based on participants' schedules.
Program Completion
To successfully complete the program and receive a formal letter of completion, you will:
- Complete session pre-work prior to large and small group meetings.
- Actively participate in 6 large and 4 small group meetings.
- Complete goal setting assignment and reflection.
Participants can expect to spend about 20 hours each semester engaging in program activities (preparing for and attending the large and small group sessions). While some make-up options are available, participants who miss more than one meeting may be asked to complete the program in a future year.
Participants in the New Faculty Program can earn four of eight credits through Early Career Teaching and Learning Program participation.
Apply for the 2026-2027 Cohort
Spots are filled on a first-come, first served basis, up to a maximum of 32 participants. Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2026.
To learn more or ask a question
Contact the program lead, Bill Rozaitis.