The ACUE Effective Teaching Practices course enables faculty to learn and implement approaches that improve student engagement and persistence and promote deeper learning. This 25-module course covers research-based practices in 5 areas: 1) Designing an Effective Course; 2) Establishing a Productive Learning Environment; 3) Using Active Learning Strategies; 4) Promoting Higher Order Thinking; and 5) Assessing to Inform Instruction & Promote Learning. This course was independently validated and is endorsed by the American Council on Education.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 26

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program

WEBSITE TO APPLY: https://acue.org/programs/faculty/

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes have been externally collected in the past

PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES DATA: Faculty reported at 95% or higher for each module the content learned was worthwhile and they have implemented or plan to implement.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Academic Affairs: Associate Provost for Academic Success

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Colleen Swain at cswain@uttyler.edu or 903.565.5898

The University of Texas at Tyler’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CTEL) is dedicated to supporting the best practices in teaching and learning throughout the university.
The CTEL strives to enhance lifelong learning and provide high quality professional development to facilitate the development of new skills and discipline knowledge for faculty and, in turn, enhance the academic success of UT Tyler’s students. One way the CTEL works to achieve these goals is by providing faculty with professional learning communities. Professional Learning Communities (PLC) allow faculty and professional staff to come together to grapple with issues and concerns in targeted areas focused on student success. Faculty not only participate in these communities but design them as well. The CTEL is currently hosting six PLCs: 1) Academic Innovation, 2) Global Awareness & Diversity, 3) Service Learning, 4) Student Research, 5) Work-Life Balance, and 6) The Study of Student Writing.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 45

HOW TO ENROLL: All stakeholders have access to this program. As such, there is no enrollment process

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes have been internally collected in the past

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Colleen Swain at cswain@uttyler.edu or 903.565.5898

The Honors Program at the University of Texas at Tyler provides specialized content and programming for high achieving and intellectually curious students at our university. Academically, the program emphasizes small, unique courses with engaged faculty and rigorous undergraduate research. The Honors Program is made up of a diverse, motivated community of students that reflect the population and people of the East Texas region. We seek out and encourage intellectual curiosity, academic opportunity, and community engagement.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 160

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program

WEBSITE TO APPLY: https://www.uttyler.edu/honors/apply/

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Academic Affairs

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Paul Streufert at pstreufert@uttyler.edu or (903) 565-5823

The I’m First – UT Tyler program is a program that services the needs of first-generation college students on main campus as well as satellite campuses and those undertaking online coursework. This program understands that each first-generation college student experience is different from the next (and many of those experiences are based in intersectional identities), so our program is centered on information sharing, advocacy, and connections to UT Tyler students, faculty, and resources. We strive to provide a sense of belonging within our campus community, which is key to not only retention and completion but the success of each student’s journey with us. As such, one of our primary methods is advocacy on campus through open and accessible communication channels – we are the touchpoint for all first-gen student questions about anything UT Tyler or college related and direct them or take them to the appropriate office to aid them.

Every month we send out a checklist newsletter to all first-generation college students (including international students and non-degree seeking students) that highlights upcoming university deadlines, breaks, campus community events (like blood drives, game and movie nights, holiday celebrations, etc), and links to all resources like tutoring and supplemental instruction. In addition to the checklist, we have created a regularly-updated glossary of all university terms (with links to the appropriate contacts and webpages) that is posted on our website and circulated accordingly.

We also host our own events, such as scholarship application workshops in which students may come to learn how to find the best scholarships for their situations and demographics, how to write the best essay, and how to submit them. This is an all-day, 2-day service offered in-person, but online and distance students are free to make unlimited one-on-one appointments for the same purpose as well as for resume review. We also host come-and-go social events. Further, we honor these students by providing first-generation stoles at every graduation and present them at a free banquet for them and their families. They are also available for pickup at graduation check-in. We host tables at preview days and homeschool days with swag and information, and our newly formed student organization will have a presence at orientation as well as host their own peer-centered events.

Lastly, beginning in the 2022 fall semester, the first-generation living-learning community will open its first wing in an on-campus housing unit. It will have its own first-generation RA as well as weekly meetings with our office’s staff that serve to bring the university’s resources to the students directly, such as advising, tutoring, safe zone training, study halls, library liaison tutorials, and more. Further, these students will also participate in servant-leadership opportunities and get to experience the Tyler community on field trips.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 110

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants are automatically enrolled in this program if they meet eligibility requirements

EVALUATION STATUS: No data related to outcomes have been collected from this program

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: UT Tyler Office of Academic Success

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Sidney Wilson at sidneywilson@uttyler.edu or 903-565-5528

The UT Tyler's Mentoring and Advising Patriots to Success program (MAPS) is targeted to FTIC freshmen who are on probation as a result of their first semester with us. These students are required to participate in a credit/no-credit success seminar in the spring during which various topics are discussed. The main objective, however, is attained through individual meetings between students and a staff-level mentor who help the students identify their reasons for academic struggles followed up with assistance in creating a plan to get back on track.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 116

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants are automatically enrolled in this program if they meet eligibility requirements

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally and externally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: The Department of Academic Support

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Lauralee Meyer at lmeyer@uttyler.edu or 903-565-5567

The Rise as One for UT Tyler Students’ Success Project will: 1) implement a multilayered series of professional development opportunities for faculty and advisors, specifically targeting faculty teaching courses serving incoming first-time in college (FTIC) and transfer students, thereby promoting a growth mindset, increasing students’ sense of belonging, elevating engagement in academic courses, and supporting underprepared learners; and 2) implement new engaging virtual orientation experiences and onboarding opportunities for undergraduate students.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Success for Orientation, Academic Success for Professional Development

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Colleen Swain at cswain@uttyler.edu or 903.565.5898