Early Years and Foundation
In 2005, President Edward J. Ray founded the CTL, appointing Peter Saunders from Western Michigan University. Dr. Saunders received his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 19th Century American and British Literature. The center's primary objective was to enhance teaching excellence and student learning experiences. It operated alongside the Academic Success Center, established in the same year.
Growth and Initiatives
In 2008, the CTL launched the CTL Summer Institute, a four-day intensive course on developing a living syllabus. This syllabus was digital and allowed for easy adjustments as the course progressed. Instead of remaining static the syllabus continuously evolved and was adapted throughout the course which was referred to as a "living syllabus."
From 2010 to 2015, the CTL in collaboration with the Faculty Senate Advancement of Teaching committee, served as an advisory body in reviewing and recommending the LL Steward Faculty Development Funds awards. These awards recognized outstanding faculty, offering grants of up to $2,200 for professional development activities with a clear connection to enhancing teaching and student learning at OSU.
New Leadership
In 2011, Peter Saunders retired from his role as director at CTL. Susie Brubaker-Cole, (Ph.D., French Literature, Yale University) the Vice Provost of Student Affairs became the Interim Director of CTL.
The CTL joined the OSU Faculty Development Division as part of the Academic Success & Engagement Unit.
In 2012, the CTL introduced Co-Curricular Learning, Service Learning Faculty Development, Hybrid Course Initiatives, and Global Learning Initiatives to promote experiential learning.
Robin Pappas (Ph.D., English Literature, University of Oregon) was the Assistant Director of CTL, Jessica White (Ph.D., Education, Oregon State University) was the Assistant Director of Co-Curricular Learning, and Cub Kahn (Ed.D., Technology Education) was hired as the Hybrid Course Coordinator. He now serves as the Learning Blended and Hybrid Learning Consultant, College Liaison. The Service Learning Faculty Development and Global Learning Initiatives were discontinued in 2013.
In 2013, Kay Sagmiller (Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Washington) was hired and served until 2017. She previously worked as the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Director at the Southern University of Oregon. Under her leadership, the CTL organized Symposia, bringing together presenters from across OSU's faculty and guest speakers to share knowledge and expertise on teaching practices. These symposia were conducted twice every term for four years and showcased the diverse teaching practices and research happening across OSU's faculty.
In 2015, Brooke Howland (Ed.D., Teacher Education in Multicultural Societies, University of Southern California) joined CTL as the Faculty Support Coordinator until 2016. She served as Assistant Director from 2016 - 2018, Associate Director in 2018, and in 2022, she became the Director of New Initiatives.
In 2016, the CTL moved to its newly completed Learning Innovation Center (LINC).
Continued Growth and Initiatives
CTL continued to expand its programs in 2014 with the introduction of Small Group Individual Diagnostics (SGIDs), Habits of Mind, Hybrid Study Groups, Teaching Triads, and Transformative Curriculum. These initiatives aimed to foster collaboration, reflection, and the development of effective teaching practices.
In 2017, CTL introduced the New2OSU and Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks programs, offering regular discussions and presentations on teaching and technology-related topics.
In 2019, Regan A.R. Gurung (Ph.D., Psychology, University of Washington-Seattle), became Interim Executive Director assuming the role of Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director in 2021. With the addition of new staff and a charge to reach out further across campus, the CTL implemented new workshops and programs including Sparkshops, Mutual Mentors (class observations), and increased the number of Faculty Blended Learning Communities.
In 2019, Funmi Amobi (Ed.D., Secondary Education/Curriculum and Instruction, Arizona State University) joined CTL as the Instructional Consultant, and College Liaison.
To help campus 'Keep Teaching' through the pandemic, Provost Feser funded a Peer Supporter program where faculty from across campus worked with the CTL to better serve faculty in their home colleges. This program evolved into the CTL Fellows program and CTL hired Cheridy Aduviri, (MA, Education, Andrews University, Michigan) to serve as Coordinator (2021) and then Assistant Director (2022 to present).
In 2023, Kara Clevinger (Ph.D., English, Temple University) joined CTL as the Assistant Director for Pedagogical Support and Development.
Keeping abreast of changes in higher education brought on by the pandemic, the CTL has conducted a pilot of remote teaching, and new learning communities around Resilient Teaching.
Today the CTL organized pedagogical support around five core areas, represented by the acronym D.A.M.I.T. (Course Design, Assessment, Instructional Methods, Inclusive Teaching, and Technology).