Over the past several months, we have been engaged in a significant initiative to reimagine and strengthen teaching and learning support at Saint Mary's.
Through consultations with deans, faculty, staff and leaders from across campus, a clear vision has emerged for a more integrated and strategic approach to advancing teaching and learning across our institution.
We are pleased to share that this work is culminating in the launch of the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL).
The Centre builds on important progress made over the past year, including the transition of key educational technology services and the realignment of teaching and learning supports. Just as importantly, it reflects insights shared by colleagues from across the university community.
Throughout our consultations, three key areas consistently emerged as priorities:
Faculty engagement, development, and recognition, including mentoring, pedagogical development, and support for teaching excellence.
Learning design, curriculum innovation, and student success, with a focus on inclusive teaching practices, student learning, and academic success.
Digital learning and educational technology, including digital fluency, artificial intelligence in teaching and learning, and digital pedagogy grounded in learning theory.
CETL will serve as a collaborative partner for faculty, academic units, and institutional teams. Its purpose is to bring together expertise and supports that strengthen teaching excellence, foster innovation and student success, and advance the priorities identified in the university's strategic plan.
As we prepare for Fall Term, I encourage you to attend some special sessions organized by CETL, such as the New Faculty Orientation (Sept 1) and the Back to Campus Faculty event (Sept 3) where you can learn more about CETL's programs, services, and opportunities for engagement.
We look forward to working with you as we continue building on our shared commitment to excellence in teaching and learning at Saint Mary's. If you have any questions, please contact cetl@smu.ca.
