About the CTLA

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CTLA) opened in July 2023 on the 4th floor of the J. Eugene Smith library. Consistent with the university’s mission, the vision of the CTLA is that:

• All Eastern students are engaged in transformative learning experiences that enable them to reach their full potential.
• Faculty have the support, resources, and community they need to thrive and to effectively utilize inclusive, evidence-based teaching practices.
• Eastern is recognized as providing innovative, high-quality learning experiences for students from all backgrounds.

CTLA Mission

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment supports faculty in implementing high quality, innovative, and inclusive teaching and learning experiences to meet the diverse learning needs of Eastern’s students. The Center promotes faculty dialogue, collaborative learning, and information-sharing across the disciplines and provides resources that support the continuing improvement of teaching.

Strategic Goals

The CTLA is committed to the following strategic goals:

1. Create opportunities for faculty to work together and learn from and with each other.
2. Develop resources and provide professional learning opportunities that support faculty in successfully implementing Eastern’s Liberal Arts Core curriculum and that respond to emergent needs of faculty in supporting students' diverse learning needs.
3. Build faculty expertise and confidence in supporting other faculty to implement best teaching practices and in disseminating scholarship in teaching and learning.
4. Provide junior faculty with ongoing support to succeed in their roles in a teaching-intensive institution.
5. Spotlight exemplary teaching and highlight innovations in the classroom that enhance equity in student learning, build a sense of belonging, and lead to depth in learning.
6. Work with faculty to develop and implement an assessment plan for Eastern’s Liberal Arts Core curriculum and academic majors.

The CTLA's work is informed by the Ethical Guidelines for Educational Developers created by the POD Network, the professional organization for the field of faculty/educational development. 

The CTLA is supported by Secretary Karen Loiselle, loisellek@easternct.edu.

The Instructional Faculty Development Committee of the University Senate serves in an advisory capacity to the CTLA. Current members include:

• Tao Chen (Art & Art History)
• Miriam Chirico (English)
• Kedan He (Physical Sciences)
• Racheal Pesta (Criminology)
• Jenna Scisco (Psychological Science)
• Megan Silver-Droesch (Coach)
• Anik Vasington (Center for Instructional Technology)