Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) announced is cutting the ribbon on its new Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) on March 4. CITL provides a space dedicated to enhancing faculty and staff development and advancing innovative teaching practices.

CITL (pronounced as “seed-’ul”) reflects the Massachusetts college’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence in teaching and learning that centers students in all that we do in support of our mission.

CITL aims to empower faculty and staff through high-quality professional development. The center supports faculty and staff as integrating innovative practices and instructional technology, recognizing the changing needs of today’s learners. By equipping educators with the skills and knowledge needed to transform student lives, CITL seeks to create a vibrant and inclusive learning community.

The space features new furniture, white boards and state-of-the-art teaching tools. Workshops began last month, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled March 4.

“CITL reflects our commitment to supporting faculty and staff and enhancing student success,” said Mary Wiseman, director of instructional innovation and faculty investment. Wiseman is leading CITL . “Many of our faculty did not begin their careers as teachers. We provide resources to help with teaching pedagogy, equity-focused practices, and integration of technology, ensuring our faculty can excel in the classroom and when interacting with students.”

The foundation of CITL can be traced to the establishment of the Center for Online and Digital Learning (CODL), which was created in the fall of 2018 through a federal Title III grant. The grant funded a range of initiatives designed to enhance academic success, including academic advising, orientation, family involvement, online courses, supplemental instruction and training on cultural competency for faculty members.

These efforts culminated in the launch of CODL, which played a pivotal role during the Covid years. Unlike many institutions that shifted to remote learning, STCC’s preemptive investment in CODL enabled the college to transition seamlessly to fully online learning.

STCC’s investment in teaching excellence is significant. With a dedicated team of four full-time staff, including a director, two instructional designers and one Learning Management System Administrator, CODL has ensured robust support for faculty, creating a solid foundation for high-quality online education.

Building on this legacy, CITL aims to further evolve this functional area into a comprehensive Center for Innovation in Teaching Excellence. It will provide the necessary supports and forums for faculty, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and excellence in teaching and learning.

Faculty and staff will have access to workshops on culturally responsive teaching, innovative pedagogy and accessibility in education. CITL also emphasizes sustainability and continuous improvement, using data and feedback to adapt to the evolving needs of the college community.

“CITL represents the next step in the college’s strategy for meeting our mission,” Vice President of Academic Affairs Christopher Thuot said. “By amplifying our investment in the professional growth of our faculty and staff, we are directly enhancing the student experience. This initiative underscores our commitment to educational excellence and our focus on fostering a learning environment that supports the diverse and dynamic community we serve.”

“This initiative ensures that STCC remains at the forefront of teaching excellence and student success,” added David DiMattio, assistant vice president of academic affairs.

This article was originally posted here.