Palm Beach State College (PBSC) was recognized by the Association of College and University Educators as a 2024 ‘Movement Maker’ institution.
The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) is on a mission to ensure student success through quality instruction. ACUE delivers the highest-quality courses, pathways, and certifications with quick-to-implement practices that make a huge impact on student success. Instructors certified in ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practices Framework are proven to boost persistence and completion for students, improve faculty confidence and engagement, and help institutions meet their strategic goals. Endorsed by the American Council on Education, ACUE’s online, cohort-based, courses are delivered through institutional partnerships and open enrollment courses and are higher education’s only provider of nationally recognized teaching certifications.
The teaching excellence movement is accelerating at colleges and universities around the country as exemplified by the 2024 “Movement Makers” recognized by the ACUE. Palm Beach State College was honored on June 14th at the second annual National Higher Education Teaching Conference (NHETC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. PBSC is one of only three Movement Maker institutions nationwide recognized by the ACUE for creating a culture that prizes teaching excellence. The other two instituations. The three higher education institutions across the country with leaders who are tireless advocates for teaching excellence were honored: Palm Beach State College, University of Texas System, and Ohio Association of Community Colleges.
Ava L. Parker, J.D., President of Palm Beach State College
“We firmly believe in the transformative power of learning and are dedicated to continuously enhancing the educational experience for our students,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “This recognition motivates us to forge ahead, breaking new ground and shaping the future of education.”
Palm Beach State College has partnered with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to offer faculty the voluntary opportunity to pursue a Certificate in Effective Teaching Practice, the only college teaching credential endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE). This offering aligns with PBSC’s mission of providing accessible, student-centered teaching and learning experiences.
To date, 361 PBSC faculty have participated in the ACUE certification program, and 300 have earned the Effective Teaching Practice credential. Delivered in collaboration with institutional partners, ACUE certificate programs are delivered 100% online. Through ACUE’s innovative learning design, faculty gain foundational knowledge, implement evidence-based best practices, reflect on their implementation, and refine their practice.
Jonathan Gyurko, Ph.D., ACUE President
“Student success happens in class through great teaching and learning. NHETC ’24 is for policymakers, researchers, administrators, faculty, and staff, addressing the policies and practices necessary for great teaching in every class, nationwide,” said Jonathan Gyurko, Ph.D., ACUE president and co-founder.
The program addresses all the core competencies defined in ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework© and is organized into four micro courses:
- Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Online Learning Environment
- Promoting Active Online Learning
- Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners in Your Online Course
- Designing Student Centered Courses
Robb Erwin, Faculty Development Manager at PBSC
Robb Erwin, Faculty Development Manager at PBSC, shared, “We’ve made the effective ACUE teaching practice frameowrk a cornerstone of our faculty professional development. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with faculty’s willingness to show how they’ve implemented practices and to mentor their colleagues. It really encourages a culture of sharing.”
Robb Erwin, along with Dr. Roger Yohe, Vice President of Academic Innovation and Strategy and Dax Parcells, Professor of Psychology, presented sessions at the 2024 NHETC Conference. Erwin also presented a session at the inaugural NHETC conference in 2023. Dr. Kalisha Waldon, professor of education and student life skills, was selected by ACUE to contribute her knowledge and expertise to their Artificial Intelligence Quick Study Series.
New PBSC ACUE cohorts will launch in the Fall of 2024. To learn more about ACUE cohorts at PBSC, visit our ACUE Certificate in Effective Teaching Practice webpage.