Skip to main content

News

Cullen Faculty Complete Effective College Instruction Certificates
By
Mike Emery
Ten members of the faculty of the Cullen College of Engineering earned ACUE certification in Effective College Instruction.
Ten members of the faculty of the Cullen College of Engineering earned ACUE certification in Effective College Instruction.

Nearly 60 UH Professors and Instructors Recognized During Pinning Ceremony 

Each day, University of Houston faculty prepare students for the road ahead. That journey may lead to careers or graduate school. No matter the destination, Coogs can count on UH’s committed professors to help steer them toward success. 

Credit UH’s Office of Faculty Engagement and Development (the FED) for helping faculty further hone their talents in the classroom. Among the office’s recent initiatives was a collaboration with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to help faculty earn their Certificates in Effective College Instruction.  

Recently, a total of 58 faculty members and administrators celebrated their completion of this credential (co-endorsed by ACUE and the American Council on Education) during a pinning ceremony conducted in the Elizabeth Rockwell Pavilion. The event assembled all faculty who participated in the certification process, FED staff and representatives from ACUE. The ACUE Certification program was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

While earning their credentials, faculty were divided into three groups each led by two facilitators. Working together, they completed a 25-module course requiring them to learn about and implement new evidence-based teaching practices in their courses and reflect on the experience. Leslie Coward, director of Faculty Engagement and Development, led this campuswide initiative. 

Module topics included building class communities, creating an environment of belonging for students and supporting diversity and inclusiveness in the classroom. 

Susie Gronseth, clinical associate professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education, served as a facilitator while earning her certification. She, along with instructional professor of biology Donna Pattison, co-facilitated a group of 25 faculty members. According to Gronseth, group members would review module content then come together for virtual or in-person discussions on the topics that resonated with them. 

The modules challenged faculty to rethink how they engage with students, Gronseth added. 

“We were encouraged to brainstorm on how to more effectively develop and deliver class content,” she said. “We also learned how to strategically align class activities with course objectives and outcomes.” 

Beyond the knowledge gained from the modules, the certification process was an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues from other colleges and exchange ideas on effective pedagogy, Gronseth said. 

“Getting to know colleagues across campus was a bonus,” she said. “It also was beneficial to share ideas across disciplines. This helped make ACUE’s content richer and more memorable.” 

In addition to Gronseth and Pattison, facilitators included Je’Anna Abbott, professor of hospitality; Lauren Zenth, associate professor of English; Erica Jordan, clinical associate professor of psychological, health, and learning sciences; and Melissa Pierson, assistant vice provost in the Undergraduate Student Success Center. Back-up facilitators included Coward and Lacey Schmidt, executive director of the Office of Faculty Engagement and Development.  

Cullen faculty earning the ACUE Certification in Effective College Instruction are as follows: 

  • Gulin Tulunay Aksu, Instructional Assistant Professor for the First Year Experience
  • Burak Basaran, Instructional Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Driss Benhaddou, Associate Professor of Engineering Technology
  • Daniel W. Burleson, Instructional Associate Professor for the First Year Experience
  • Abdul Latif Khan, Assistant Professor of Biotechnology
  • Venkata Krishna Tulasi, Lecturer of Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Marsha C. Kowal, Director of Honors Engineering
  • Holley Carole Love, Instructional Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
  • Jennifer Luna Singh, Director of PROMES
  • Deepa Ramachandran, Senior Lecturer of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Other UH faculty earning the ACUE Certification in Effective College Instruction are as follows:

  • Laura B. Ashley, Jack J. Valenti School of Communication 
  • Kristin C. Bennett, College of Education
  • Paul G. Butler, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Matthew G. Caputo, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 
  • Daniel Centeno, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • James A. Chang, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 
  • Shuo Chen, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics  
  • Anuj Chopra, College of Technology 
  • Jeffrey Church, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Justin Dykes, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences  
  • Klavdia Markelova, C. T. Bauer College of Business 
  • Emese Felvegi, C. T. Bauer College of Business 
  • Stella Grigorian, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Shahinda Hafeez, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 
  • Beth Hattier, College of Technology  
  • Yan Huang, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Tucker A. Johnson, Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership  
  • Jennifer La'Vonne, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Donna Kacmar, Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design 
  • Yoonkyung Kim, McGovern College of the Arts 
  • Michael Kistner, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
  • Robyn Lyn, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Gregory C. Morrison, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 
  • Claire Elizabeth Mummert, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Nancy Elizabeth Murphy, McGovern College of the Arts 
  • My Viet Ha Nguyen, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Beth M. Olson, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences  
  • Colby Ornell, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Vanessa M. Patrick-Ralhan, C. T. Bauer College of Business 
  • Robin Ann Proctor, College of Education 
  • Saira Rab, College of Education 
  • Jennifer Radcliffe Andre, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Gary W.  Randazzo, C. T. Bauer College of Business 
  • Rana Ihsan Rifai, College of Technology 
  • Carlos Alberto Rincon Castro, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 
  • Piruz Saboury, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Sean-Patrick Scott, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 
  • Ronnie L. Self, Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture  
  • Elizabeth Simas, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Rita Evelyn Sirrieh, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 
  • Christina Sisk, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Kayce D. Solari Williams, College of Education 
  • Benjamin J. Tamber-Rosenau, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 

Campus Project Director 

  • Leslie Coward, Faculty Engagement and Development 

Share This Story: