Mission Statement

Welcome to the Center for Teaching & Learning at the Community College of Allegheny County! Our mission is to empower educators with the tools and confidence to excel, fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and every individual feels a sense of belonging. We champion self-determination, supporting autonomy in pursuit of personal and professional goals. Through the integration of cutting-edge technology, we enhance learning experiences for all. Join us in creating a community where innovation thrives, excellence is cultivated, and everyone is valued. Explore our resources and initiatives to embark on your journey of continuous growth and teaching excellence. 

 

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Core Values

Empowerment: We believe that every individual has the potential to achieve great things. We aim to provide our educators with the resources, tools, and confidence they need to be trailblazers in their respective fields, creating an environment where educators and students thrive.

Diversity: Our strength comes from the diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences that our educators and students contribute. We foster an inclusive environment that respects, celebrates, and harnesses the power of diversity. 

Sense of Belonging: Every person who walks through our doors should feel they are an integral part of our community. We foster deep connections, open dialogue, and mutual respect to ensure everyone feels they truly belong.

Self-Determination: We champion the right of our educators and students to carve out their own paths and make decisions that align with their personal and professional goals. We nurture a community of proactive, responsible, and empowered individuals by supporting self-determination.

Technology: We prioritize staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving digital landscape. We integrate the latest technologies into our teaching methodologies, ensuring that our educators and students are equipped with modern tools that enhance learning experiences.

Teaching Best Practices: Our commitment to educational excellence is unwavering. We continually research, learn, and implement the best strategies and techniques in pedagogy, ensuring our educators are always at the forefront of effective teaching. 

 

Philosophy

We recognize and celebrate the strengths and skills our faculty bring to the table from the very first interaction. At the same time, we believe in the power of continuous growth and are committed to creating environments that nurture ongoing development, aligned with our mission and values. 

 

Our Collaborative Partnerships

ITS Learning and Development: We lead the way in technology training, dedicated to ensuring both educators and students have access to the latest and most effective technological tools. Our focus is on creating an environment where technology enriches the learning experience, making it more intuitive and impactful.

Virtual Campus for Online Learning: Our Virtual Campus, located in Chalfant Hall, represents true collaboration without borders. We thrive on the opportunity to innovate and create initiatives that enhance the online learning experience for students, ensuring that distance is no longer a barrier to accessing top-tier education. 

Assessment of Student Learning: The Center for Teaching and Learning recognizes the critical impact of assessing teaching efficacy. By continually evaluating and refining how our students learn, we ensure that our teaching methods remain dynamic, relevant, and effective in meeting the evolving needs of our students. 

Library Services: Our Library Services offer a wealth of valuable resources that can significantly enhance pedagogy. The Center for Teaching and Learning collaborates closely with Library Services to help faculty learn about these resources and the positive impact they can have on teaching and learning. 

Disability Resources and Services: Behind the scenes, a dedicated team works tirelessly to support every student's academic journey. This team includes counselors, embedded support navigators, deans of student services, and student success staff. We are grateful for their consistent participation in CTL initiatives, where they help faculty learn about the importance of embedded support, ensuring that students receive the guidance they need at every step. 

Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: The Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) is a cornerstone of our efforts at CCAC. This department plays a vital role in shaping our professional development initiatives by ensuring that our teaching practices meet the diverse needs of our student population. DEI's work goes beyond just understanding diversity in terms; it’s about fostering empathy and truly listening to our students' perspectives and experiences. By integrating DEI into our semester lineup of professional development, we commit to creating an inclusive environment where every student’s voice is heard and valued. 

 

Defining Teaching and Learning

For us, teaching and learning permeate every part of our community, working within a thoughtful and functional framework. We highly value academic freedom and consistently champion innovation and creativity in course design. In alignment with our mission, we leverage technology to improve accessibility and cultivate a strong, connected community across our four campuses and three centers.

Reflecting this philosophy, we’ve created a range of programs and solutions that equip, empower, and energize our faculty. Here’s how we’ve brought our vision to life. 

 

Solutions in Alignment with our Mission and Core Values

Common Hour: A weekly virtual event fostering faculty empowerment through pedagogical best practices and peer engagement.

E-Portfolio Consultation and Training: Assisting faculty in portfolio creation, tenure applications, and technology training. This effort culminates in the Provost Portfolio Day, showcasing the dedication and achievements of our faculty.

Teaching and Learning Day: As part of All College Week, this event offers a comprehensive exploration of classroom technology, innovative teaching strategies, and effective syllabus design. 

Flash Focus Forum: Quick 20-minute segments showcasing faculty initiatives with content reflecting our semesterly theme at the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Monday Mentor: Weekly video segments on diverse teaching topics. Each session is complemented by supplemental resources, with participants receiving a certificate upon completion.

Grouch Day: An open platform allowing faculty to voice concerns. Here we collaborate, listen, and develop strength-based solutions to address any challenges. 

Weekly Email Campaigns: Regular informative updates keep our faculty informed about upcoming events, fresh reading materials, and other pivotal resources. 

E-Learning Modules: On-demand training modules crafted with top-rated authoring tools ensure that our pedagogical training is accessible and catered to diverse learning needs and preferences.

That’s Diversity: At the CTL, we don't just measure diversity efforts—we integrate them into everything we do. Keep an eye out for our "That's Diversity" logo on programs that reflect the outcomes of the CCAC Five Commitments. 

10-Minute Updates: A semesterly gathering where our entire college community comes together to share updates, achievements, and news in succinct 10-minute presentations.

The Big Five CCAC CTL Referral Program: Earn service hour credits by referring a fellow faculty member to attend college events. 

Chalfant Hall Center for Teaching and Learning: Unveiled in May 2024 at the Community College of Allegheny County, this state-of-the-art, 17,584-square-foot facility features instructional classrooms, a cutting-edge digital learning lab, and specialized areas. Designed as a collaborative hub, Chalfant Hall is committed to fostering innovation and enhancing teaching and learning experiences for faculty, staff, and the entire CCAC community. With a proactive approach, we aim to drive student success, build essential community partnerships, and create a nurturing, intellectually diverse learning environment. Welcome to your new center for faculty development and collaboration. 

Surveys and Assessments: We believe in continuous growth through reflection. Our regular surveys and assessments keep us aligned with our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. 

CTL 30-in-a-Semester: Our commitment is to provide faculty members with a guaranteed minimum of 30 service hours every semester. Alongside this, our streamlined process includes a personalized checklist for each semester, facilitating easy upload of certificates and attendance letters. Furthermore, our tailored checklist empowers you to reflect on your semester achievements, fostering professional growth and recognition. 

 

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Ebony English, PhD, MSW, MSEd