The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) is dedicated to providing Mountwest Community and Technical College’s faculty and staff with guidance and
resources throughout their professional development journey.
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning supports all faculty as they cultivate inclusive, evidence-based, student-centered teaching and learning practices.
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at Mountwest Community and Technical College will create a dynamic and inclusive academic environment where faculty are empowered to excel in teaching, innovate in pedagogy, and foster student success.
Mission Statement
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning supports all faculty as they cultivate inclusive, evidence-based, student-centered teaching and learning practices.
Vision Statement
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at Mountwest Community and Technical College will create a dynamic and inclusive academic environment where faculty are empowered to excel in teaching, innovate in pedagogy, and foster student success. Our vision is to be a hub of professional growth and scholarly excellence, promoting an atmosphere of academic success. Through evidence-based practices we strive to support learning outcomes-centered approaches, cultivate professionalism and scholarship, enhance student learning assessment, and champion student-centered teaching and learning strategies. By nurturing a community of committed educators, the CETL aims to elevate the educational experience for all students, ensuring their success in an ever-evolving academic landscape.
In the summer of 2024, a CETL Steering Committee was formed to discuss and compose a strategic, four-year plan for the development of a Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. This team conducted thorough research on CETL best practices and reviewed existing sites or resources from both two and four-year institutions. In August of 2024, the team hosted two listening sessions to allow faculty and students alike the opportunity to provide feedback on elements of the strategic plan and general ethos. At the Fall 2024 in-service, the team presented the final draft of the Strategic Plan to faculty and staff.
Mountwest Community and Technical College is committed to providing high-quality, research-driven instruction and professional development. With the creation and continued improvement of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Mountwest is able offer exciting, advanced, and inclusive teaching strategies and resources for faculty and staff.
The CETL Advisory Board attends bi-weekly meetings with the Director to discuss all things CETL. This includes but is not limited to the development of the Operations Manual, preparations for in-service, monthly CETL offerings, website updates, and more.
The CETL team members are as follows:
Morgan Byrne (Director)
Kristen Brumfield (Advisory Board Member)
Josh Keck (Advisory Board Member)
Hannah Matthews (Advisory Board Member)
Kelly Terry (Advisory Board Member).
Hours of operation are XXXX
Your Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning team is dedicated to providing faculty and staff with resources and opportunities to create and support leaders in the community and workforce.
Please use the calendar below to find and register for events, workshops, and more!
Missed an event? No problem! You can access the recording (if available) by clicking the event!
Teaching for Active and Engaged Learning – San Diego, CA
“The Lilly Conference is described as a “collaborative community of scholars sharing, discussing, critiquing and reflecting upon improving teaching and learning.”
Dates: January 8-10, 2026
Site Link: https://www.lillyconferences-ca.com/
Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy – Blacksburg, VA
“The conference showcases the best pedagogical practice and research in higher education today.”
Dates: February 4-6, 2026
Site Link: https://chep.teaching.vt.edu/
InsightsEDU Conference – Fort Lauderdale, FL
“This year’s conference will feature a blend of panel discussions and presentations featuring higher education leaders and marketing experts from the top higher education platforms in marketing and enrollment management.”
Dates: February 17 – 19, 2026
Site Link: https://insightsedu.educationdynamics.com/event/76d0a0d5-6bb6-4b4e-92e7-6b0603bb7b80/agenda
ACE Experience 2026 – Washington, D.C.
“The ACE Experience 2026 is a high-impact convening that will gather college and university leaders to confront the most urgent challenges of our time—including the value of higher education; public trust; and demographic, technological, and political shifts.”
Dates: February 25-28, 2026
Site Link: https://www.acenet.edu/Events/Pages/ACEx2026.aspx
NASPA Annual Conference – Kansas City, MO
“The NASPA Annual Conference brings the NASPA membership together each year to learn, network, and connect.”
Dates: March 7-11, 2026
Site Link: https://conference.naspa.org/
Higher Learning Commission Conference – Chicago, IL
“Higher Learning 2026 will bring together professionals who are shaping the future of higher ed.”
Dates: March 21-24, 2026
Site Link: https://www.hlcommission.org/learning-center/annual-conference/
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Conference – Seattle, WA
“The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) hosts one of the most significant professional development events for leaders in community colleges and provides engaged with the two-year college sector, showcasing high-energy keynote speakers, discussions of pressing issues and opportunities, deep-dive problem solving sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities.”
Dates: April 10-14, 2026
Site Link: https://www.aaccannual.com/
UPCEA Annual Conference – New Orleans, LA
“The 2026 UPCEA Annual Conference will be a dynamic gathering of educators, researchers, administrators, policy makers, learning designers, and other higher education industry professionals. We will harness the collective experiences, thoughts and ideas of this energetic group to collaborate on groundbreaking strategies that will drive lasting impact for our institutions and our learners.”
Dates: April 15-17, 2026
Site Link: https://conferences.upcea.edu/annual2026/index.html
AAC&U Conference on Learning and Student Success (CLASS) – Tucson, AZ
“CLASS fosters collaboration across disciplines to address the most pressing issues in higher education, including general education reform, equity in student success, and the connections between curricula and career outcomes.”
Dates: April 16 – 18, 2026
Site Link: https://www.aacu.org/conferences
National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) – TBD
Dates: May 23-26, 2026
Site Link: https://www.nisod.org/
AiM Higher: East Coast AI Conference at UD – Newark, DE
“This is where ideas meet execution and where the future of AI in higher education begins to take shape.”
Dates: June 9-11, 2026
Site Link: https://sites.udel.edu/aim-higher/
Ohio’s Department of Education and Workforce Annual Trauma Informed Summit
Dates: TBD
Site Link: https://education.ohio.gov/Media/Ed-Connection/April-22-2025/Annual-Trauma-Informed-Care-Summit
Marshall University’s Instructional Design Team has partnered with Mountwest to provide Blackboard Ultra. Training information is provided here, as well as in the event calendar above.
Every Thursday from 12:00 – 4:30 pm in Room 201 from April 17th – May 29th. These are office-hours style drop-in sessions.
Faculty can also book appointments with a Designer @ Bookings. Just click the hyperlink!
The CETL provides both digital and in-person resources. Anyone interested in perusing the collections can use the links below or contact the CETL director.
Online Library Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1541BfdNR9y_Ux9zgdMfEfuGsS-wzVMx59t3vrs9SL3Y/edit?usp=sharing
Physical Library Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gpoFUc3qCLoWheACAsHXqeJR-yNT90V3LCufHYvyq48/edit?usp=sharing
CETL YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MCTCCETL
Mountwest instructors should select one of four policies on artificial intelligence and its use in the classroom.
“A Jargon-Free Explanation of How AI Large Language Models Work” by Timothy B. Lee and Sean Trott
One of the most commonly requested content areas pertains to trauma-informed education, and with the help of our all star Director of Accessibility and Wellness Services, Allison Flanagan, we’ve got several tools linked below!
We also have resources pertaining to Open Educational Resources (OERs), such as recordings of sessions made available by Scholarship Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC).
We’re excited to share that the recordings of session 1 and 2 of the Open Education 101 Series are now available on the SPARC YouTube channel. You can find the recordings and slides below:
· Session 1: Open Education Foundations – Recording | Slides
· Session 2: Open Education in Practice – Recording | Slides
More information about the Open Education 101 Series can be found on the SPARC website here.
One of the many ways in which Mountwest Community and Technical College ensures the quality in classroom delivery and materials is the annual Peer to Peer Observation practice, during which faculty members visit one another’s classrooms and review their findings using the rubric below. This rubric was developed by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Findings are formally submitted using the Microsoft Form linked here: Peer Review Form (Fall 2025) – Fill out form. However, you can view the rubric are a separate document below.
In this section, you’ll find resources and guides designed to ease your transition into the MCTC classroom. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your chair, dean, or the director of the CETL.
Navigating the Website: The Basics
This guided video can walk you through the basics of using our institution’s website.
Attendance Tracker
MCTC uses the Attendance Tracker program for all courses. Below, you will find written and video directions for navigating this program.
Attendance Tracker Directions: In-Person, Hybrid, and Flex
Attendance Tracker Directions: Online (Asynchronous)
Attendance Tracker Directions: Guided Video Tour
Attendance is required after the first and fourth weeks of class, as well as midterms and finals, though it’s recommended that you take attendance as frequently as you can. Faculty receive email reminders when attendance is due. Attendance for online classes must be taken based upon assignments or activities completed, not students logging into Blackboard.
Student Hours
Sometimes referred to as “office hours,” student hours are specific times throughout the week during which students can visit your office and discuss course content, ask questions, and more. Full-time faculty are required to have at least eight student hours a week, during which it is recommended that your office door remain open.
Sending Syllabi
By the conclusion of each first week of class, you must email your syllabi to your respective administrative assistant. Faculty receive email reminders about this requirement.
Best Practices
Though the success of different techniques can vary from person to person, there are some general recommendations that can always help to heighten your students’ experiences.
Our New Faculty Academy program provides resources and tutorials to help orient and support new faculty as they acclimate to Mountwest.
New Faculty Directory: This document contains a quick rundown of contact information for chairs, deans, administrative assistants, and the leaders of student services.
Faculty Council Committees: This document provides a brief description of each faculty council committee.
New Faculty Resource Library
“Navigating the MCTC Website” – This guided video tour discusses how to submit grades, send early alerts, locate your schedule, submit an IT ticket, and more.
“Taking Attendance” – This video is all about working with our attendance platform, Attendance Tracker.
Get in touch with our team to see how you can help today!