Newsletter March 22, 2024
cte.utah.edu

At the University of Utah, we are proud to provide an exceptional educational experience for ALL students. As the U continues to grow, we expect more and more individuals who are first generation college students to join the university community. The Office for First Generation Access at the U provides a variety of support services for students (and instructors) navigating these changes.  On April 5, they will host their 3rd Annual First Gen Con for students, faculty, and staff. Come and learn more about the programs and resources available at the University and participate in the community that is committed to fostering a sense of belonging for all students at the U. A recent article from Inside Higher Ed discusses 9 ways to elevate 1st gen students’ experiences; #8 on the list discusses the importance of faculty mentors in helping students connect to their discipline and the university community. You can also support this initiative as well as several other important programs at the U through Giving Day, on April 2 and 3. The Martha Bradley Evans Center for Teaching Excellence, as well as other programs in Undergraduate Studies and across the U, depends on your support to continue offering high quality programs that promote high quality education.  

March 21, 2024

Dear colleague,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As the senior associate vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Utah, it is both an honor and a privilege to connect with valued colleagues who have demonstrated an unwavering belief in the success of the U's first-generation students.
Today, I appeal to your generous UofU spirit by inviting you to join the 1850 Society. This society has been thoughtfully developed to support first-generation students and first-generation graduates. Currently, there are 5,126 first-gen students on campus. By becoming a part of the 1850 Society, you'll directly contribute to the success of these scholars and provide them with vital resources such as scholarships, advice, support, mentorship, and opportunities for connections with faculty, peers, alums, and friends of the U.

As a first-generation college graduate, I understand the challenges many students face on their academic journey. I am personally invested in first-generation student success at the U, and to launch this exciting society, I am matching the first gifts up to $1,850. By joining the 1850 Society, with a minimum gift of $18.50 and up, your donation will have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of our first-generation scholars. It will ensure that the 1850 Society has the necessary resources to fully support and uplift these exceptional individuals as they navigate their academic paths.
Together, we can continue to build a community that celebrates the achievements of our first-generation students and empowers them to dream big and reach even higher. Your support is not just an investment in their education; it is an investment in the future leaders, change-makers, and innovators who will shape our global society for the better.

I invite you to join me in giving to this valuable initiative.

With gratitude,

T. Chase Hagood, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Thank you for supporting first-generation success!
1850.utah.edu

CTE pedagogy workshops are open to ALL instructors on campus. Register with unid@utah.edu

The Martha Bradley Evans Center for Teaching Excellence is excited to offer our 2nd annual Graduate Teaching Institute on May 6 – May 9. Spend the week with us and learn how to build and deliver courses, make the most of educational technology, and understand how to provide exceptional educational experiences for every student on campus. Last year’s attendees showed significant gains in their teaching self-efficacy and their confidence in critical skills related to teaching and working with students. Sessions will run from 10-3 Monday thru Thursday, and lunch will be provided. Registration is free for U of U graduate students, but space is limited. Register today!

Want to take your training to the next level? Starting in Fall 2024, MBECTE will be offering a 15-credit graduate certificate in Teaching in Higher Education. Courses are taught online and provide in-depth training in critical topics in higher education pedagogy. The application link for admission into the certificate program in Fall 2024 is coming soon!

Want to learn more about Open Education Resources (OERs), Pressbooks, and Utah open textbooks?
Plan to attend the OER Symposium that will take place during the week of March 25-28, 2024.
Visit the Symposium Website and Schedule and Register to attend.
Register once and you can attend any or all of the sessions that fit your schedule.
Click on the Past Symposiums button at the bottom of the page to see last year’s virtual showcases and recordings. 

The UALC OER Committee hopes to see you there!

Are you teaching this semester or over the summer? Request a classroom presentation with the Office of Undergraduate Research to learn about the various programs, resources, and opportunities we have available to support students in their research endeavors! Requests can be made here: https://our.utah.edu/about-us/request-a-class-presentation/

The Martha Bradley Evans Center for Teaching Excellence (MBE-CTE) supports the University of Utah’s mission and core values of student success and teaching excellence by promoting engaging and transformational student learning experiences. At MBE-CTE, we strive to improve teaching effectiveness through evidence-based and innovative pedagogy, while serving the needs of teaching-oriented faculty, instructors, and graduate students.

As a research-intensive institution of higher education, the University of Utah employs scholars who are leaders in their fields, to conduct research and teach in degree programs across multiple disciplines. The Martha Bradley Evans Teaching Fellowship supports faculty engagement with projects at a national level that address critical issues in twenty-first century, post-pandemic higher education.

Funding would support teaching fellowships, workshops, and symposiums for faculty at the U.