Newsletter August 14, 2025
cte.utah.edu

But hopefully ready…. The first day of classes on main campus is next week. You’ve posted your Syllabus to the class schedule via CIS. You’ve got your Canvas course set up.  You’re ready with resources for your students  like a Student AI Resource Guide, a Flipbook on Reporting information, links to library services, Student Success Coaches, and more. It’s go time!

We know you’ve been working hard to make sure everything runs smoothly, but if you run into trouble, have questions, or just want to talk through some ideas, know that the team in the Martha Bradley Evans Center for Teaching Excellence are here to help. Throughout the semester, we offer consultations, observations, focus groups, and workshops to help you with your teaching needs. And if you have a question  about your Canvas course, contact Digital Learning Technologies for help. They support Canvas and other digital learning tools. 

As fall gets underway, mandatory courses will be transitioning their core syllabi to a tool called Simple Syllabus. This toll will be used to ensure that the U is in compliance with USHE guidelines for HB261.  We will be sharing information in the coming weeks, including a new Simple Syllabus information site, Faculty training opportunities, and clear instructions for accessing and using the tool. We in CTE, along with the university’s central Simple Syllabus support team in Digital Learning Technologies, are committed to supporting a smooth transition and appreciate your partnership in this work to improve transparency and support student success. 

Every year, the students in Being Human in STEM engage in special projects. In Spring 2025, one group of students created a 
Reporting Flipbook (A Student Guide to Getting Help), a simple guide on where/how to report bias, discrimination, sexual assault, etc. We believe this would be a great link to include on your Expanded Syllabus and/or on your Canvas page. 

Starting Fall 2025, students will have the opportunity to earn academic credit through Portfolio-Based Assessment (PBA).

PBA allows currently matriculated, degree-seeking undergraduate students to demonstrate mastery of learning outcomes for an existing course in the University catalog by showcasing verifiable, college-level learning gained through professional, volunteer, or community-based experience. PBA expands credit pathways for diverse learners, bridges academic curriculum with workforce and community needs, and supports timely progress toward degree completion.

To prepare faculty portfolio reviewers of eligible courses, asynchronous Canvas training modules are now available. Please contact Danielle.Susi-Dittmore@utah.edu to access these Canvas modules.

Additionally, two optional faculty PBA orientations will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, September 2 at 11:00 am and Wednesday, September 3 at 3:00 pm. Interested faculty, department chairs, and associate deans need only attend one of these meetings and not both.

Join the One-U Responsible AI Initiative for its Second Annual Symposium on Sept. 12—RSVP by Aug. 31

Join the University of Utah One-U Responsible AI Initiative for its Annual Symposium on Friday, September 12, at the University Guest House and Conference Center. This one-day event brings together campus and community partners to explore the future of responsible AI. Hear from university, state, and national leaders and enjoy lightning talks from university researchers in the initiative’s thematic areas: environment, healthcare and wellness, and teaching and learning. Plus, network, browse research posters, and hear from responsible AI community organizers.

CTE is proud to offer a 15-credit graduate certificate in Teaching in Higher Education. The certificate consists of 4 online semester-based courses taught through CTE, as well as one elective.

Interested in learning more? Check out the certificate page.

This year, we will be offering two elective courses:

You are invited to the Office of Undergraduate Research faculty session to learn about being a SPUR Faculty Mentor!

August 22, 2025
11AM – 12PM
Session: Register to receive Zoom information

The Office of Undergraduate Research Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) at the University of Utah is a nationally competitive opportunity that provides undergraduate students with an intensive 10-week summer research experience with U of U faculty.

Faculty Benefits Include:

The Office invites University of Utah tenure-line and career-line faculty to apply to serve as mentors for SPUR 2026 (May 18-July 31,2026). Deadline for faculty applications: October 3, 2025

Visit: our.utah.edu/spur for more information.

University Distinguished Teaching Awards

 September 15

University  Teaching Grants

 October 3, January 26, and March 6

Calvin S. and JeNeal N. Hatch Prize in Teaching

October 13

John R Park Teaching Fellowship

November 10

Community Engaged Teaching and Scholarship Award

November 10

Early Career Teaching Award

December 5