JONESBORO – Eighteen faculty members from Arkansas State University completed the university's first-ever Summer Teaching Summit, a three-day professional development retreat designed to promote evidence-based classroom practices. The event was organized by the A-State Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and held in early August atop Petit Jean Mountain in Morrilton.
“This retreat reflects interim Chancellor Calvin White Jr.'s vision of elevating teaching as a defining strength of Arkansas State University,” said Dr. Jill Simons, CETL director. Simons emphasized the growing importance of teaching excellence to the identity of the institution and the success of its students.
The summit featured sessions led by Dr. John Hershberger, associate professor of chemistry, and Dr. Loretta McGregor, associate dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Science and professor of psychology. Nationally recognized speakers included Dr. Claire Major, faculty director of the University of Alabama Teaching Academy, and Dr. Amy Hawkins, assistant provost at the University of Central Arkansas.
“Our goal with the Summer Teaching Summit was to create learning experiences that help every student succeed by drawing on evidence-based practices,” Simons added.
The faculty participants, selected through a competitive process open to all full-time faculty members, represented a wide range of academic disciplines. Attendees included Nicole Arnell, professor of graphic design; Dr. Binol Balachandar, assistant professor of nursing; Dr. Angelo Brown, assistant professor of criminology; Dr. Kelsie Clark, assistant professor of physical therapy; Dr. Michael Cooper, assistant professor of nursing; Dr. Maureen Dolan, associate professor of molecular biology; Dr. Matthew Harmon, associate professor of nursing; Dr. Mark Herman, instructor in philosophy; and Dr. Chad Martin, instructor in teacher education.
Also participating were Cassaundra McCauley, instructor in writing and reading in transition studies; Dr. Philip Johnson, professor of veterinary medicine; Dr. Nilesh Kumar, instructor in management; Dr. Patrice Parkinson, assistant professor of counseling; Dr. Amin Abbasi Pooya, assistant professor of information systems and business analytics; Dr. Paula Ruby, professor of information systems and business analytics; Caitlan Smith, instructor in art history; Dr. Deborah Wammack, assistant professor of reading; and Dr. Chiqian Zhang, assistant professor of civil engineering.
The summit was announced last spring by the Office of the Provost and CETL. Organizers invited faculty to apply, offering them an opportunity to step away from the demands of the academic year to focus on professional growth through collaboration with colleagues and nationally recognized teaching experts.
The immersive retreat sought to deepen participants’ passion for teaching through meaningful engagement and discussions about innovative classroom strategies. Facilitators included Dr. Simons, Dean Murry from the CETL staff, and Dr. Melanie Wicinski, associate vice chancellor for accreditation and assessment.
Dr. Simons expressed enthusiasm for the success of the inaugural program, emphasizing its role in fostering a supportive teaching community across the university. The retreat reflects A-State’s ongoing commitment to prioritizing educational innovation and student success.