Bowie State University Faculty Join Initiative to Strengthen HBCU Online Instruction

BSU Students to Benefit from Evidence-based Teaching Practices

MEDIA CONTACT: Cassandra Robinson, crobinson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4336

(BOWIE, Md.) – Approximately 60 Bowie State University faculty members will participate in a 25-week course to improve their online teaching skills as part of the Excellence in Online Instruction initiative offered through collaboration of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), a national leader in effective collegiate teaching.

Two cohorts of 30 full-time faculty members across various programs, paired with mentors, will be selected to take part in the one-year training course. Delivered by ACUE faculty, the 25 modules will focus on the pedagogical aspects of online teaching. The faculty will learn how to distinguish between competent technical delivery of a course and being an effective teacher online, including being innovative, engaging and compelling.

“The purpose of the training is to change the mindset and approach to teaching. It doesn't necessarily mean that the classes look dramatically different from how they deliver a face-to-face course. It's more about their own thinking process, interacting with students and teaching them in an online environment,” said Dr. Matthew Crosston, BSU Director of Academic Transformation. “I believe it will change the way we impact our students as we venture into the online sphere.”

Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF said that the initiative will go a long way in helping to ensure quality teaching continues online for the nation’s most vulnerable students.

“No other organization has ACUE’s proof of impact or earned as much trust and respect,” said Williams. “TMCF’s members have made instructional quality a top priority, whether online, in-person, or in a blended format. When our member schools asked for support to further invest in their faculty, we went to the ‘best in class.’ ACUE has an excellent track record of working with, and co-developing its programs, with HBCUs.”

The BSU faculty will join more than 650 colleagues from 14 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as they learn and implement equity-promoting, evidence-based teaching practices shown to improve student engagement, persistence, course completion, and learning.

ACUE programs in effective teaching practices are based on more than three decades of research that demonstrate effective teaching improves learning for all students.

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.