Minnesota State University, Mankato Faculty Receive National Credential in Teaching Excellence
Twenty-two faculty members at Minnesota State University, Mankato were recognized for earning a nationally recognized teaching credential co-endorsed by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and the American Council on Education (ACE) during a virtual pinning ceremony on January 5, 2023. Faculty demonstrated their commitment to student success by completing a yearlong course in Effective Online Teaching Practices to equip them with the instructional skills shown to promote student motivation, learning and persistence.
Dr. David Hood, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, stated that, “Minnesota State University, Mankato is on a journey of recommitting itself to becoming a student-centered campus. Your participation in the ACUE Effective Online Teaching Practices Course demonstrates your commitment to this journey. Congratulations on completing the course and elevating the quality of online course delivery.”
“The ACUE course was amazing!” said Dr. Stacey Van Gelderen, Professor in the School of Nursing. “I learned many applicable teaching strategies for online and in-class learning. I really appreciated all of the technology tools as well. I highly recommend this course!”
The virtual pinning ceremony was hosted by Minnesota State Mankato ONLINE during the Scholars at Work conference sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The credentialed faculty members include 17 faculty from the College of Allied Health and Nursing, 1 faculty from the College of Business, and 4 faculty from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Dr. Kelly Krumwiede, Professor in the School of Nursing, stated that, “The ACUE course has reminded me that what I do as an instructor has a profound impact on students. The course has empowered me to take my teaching to the next level such as implementing new ways to help students connect in an online class and pushing me out of my comfort zone to develop visualization tools.”
To earn their Certificate in Effective College Instruction, faculty members completed a 25-module course that requires them to learn about and implement new evidence-based teaching practices in their courses and reflect on the experience. Aligned with the latest research in cognition and adult learning, ACUE’s courses address over 200 evidence-based teaching practices, covering how to design an effective course, establish a productive learning environment, use active learning techniques, promote higher order thinking and utilize assessments to inform instruction and promote learning.
Faculty will continue to learn about pedagogy and receive career-long support through ACUE’s Community of Professional Practice, which provides access to member forums, expert webinars, biweekly newsletters, the ‘Q’ Blog, and “office hours” with leading scholars in college instruction. This is in addition to the support received from Minnesota State Mankato ONLINE and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning team at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
About Minnesota State University, Mankato: Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 14,482 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 26 colleges and seven universities. To learn more about Minnesota State Mankato ONLINE, visit online.mnsu.edu.
About ACUE: The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) believes that all college students deserve an extraordinary education and that faculty members play a critical role in their success. In partnership with institutions of higher education nationwide, ACUE supports and credentials faculty members in the use of evidence-based teaching practices that drive student engagement, retention, and learning. Faculty members who complete ACUE courses earn certificates in effective college instruction endorsed by the American Council on Education. ACUE’s Community of Professional Practice connects college educators from across the country through member forums, podcasts, and updates on the latest developments in the scholarship of teaching and learning. To learn more, visit acue.org.
