Teaching Academy
Invited Guest Speakers
Visiting Regional Teaching Academy Fellow: Dr. Erica Suchman
February 18-19, 2019
Dr. Erica Suchman received her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of California, Irvine
and is currently a Professor and Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Education in the Department of
Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, at Colorado State University (CSU). She researches the effectiveness of
active learning strategies in large lecture courses, and she has most recently developed an innovative course
introducing freshmen to authentic research experiences. She served as Chair of the Committee on Technology
Enhanced Education and Editor-in-Chief of the ASM’s peer reviewed education resource, MicrobeLibrary, for 9
years, was a member of the International Education committee and was a member of the Education Board of ASM.
In 2014, she was honored with the prestigious Carski Foundation Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award.
She also received Best Teacher Award at CSU and was named as a CSU Distinguished Teaching Scholar; this
prestigious distinction is a lifetime appointment held by only 12 faculty members at a time. She also serves as the
CSU Master Teacher Initiative Coordinator for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Schedule of Events:
Monday (Feb 18th):
- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - Workshop: Making Teaching Matter: Creating persuasive and evidence-based documents that support teaching - Co-presenter Dr. Phil Mixter
This workshop is part of the Academic Outreach and Innovation Spring Teaching Forum, (requires separate registration)
Description: Many WSU faculty are deeply engaged in teaching, advising/mentoring, and educational leadership. Yet we struggle with how to showcase those activities and demonstrate outcomes when it comes time to prepare promotion packets—and most departments do a poor job of review.
Come hear about work of a consortium from five universities to develop an evidence-based model. You will leave this workshop with a better understanding of the dilemmas, a templated framework you can adapt for your own packet or department, and the first pages of a personal portfolio. RSVP
Location: Spark 212
Tuesday (Feb 19th):
9:10 am- Seminar: Creating Effective Exams
Description: Participants will become familiar with common pitfalls in exam question writing, and be given suggestions for how to improve their exams. RSVP
Location: Bustad 145
12:10 am- Seminar: Writing Learning Outcomes
Description: Participants will be introduced to the difference between learning objectives and learning outcomes as well as work on creating their own learning outcomes to be used in their courses. RSVP
Location: ABDF 1002