Kati Stoddard, Ph.D.

Dr. Stoddard has a split appointment between the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, where she is an Associate Instructional Professor, and the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), where she is the Associate Director of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). In the PLPM department, she is an award-winning instructor in the Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) undergraduate program. Dr. Stoddard’s approach to teaching is evidence-based, student-focused, and inclusive. Dr. Stoddard earned the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) certificate for excellence in college instruction in 2021 through their Scaling Instructional Excellence for Students Success program. Dr. Stoddard was awarded the College-level Texas A&M Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching in 2020. In 2022 she earned the Texas A&M Provost Academic Professional Track Teaching Excellence Award, and in 2023 she was awarded the prestigious A&M Professorship for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence. In her role at CTE, Dr. Stoddard leads a SoTL community of scholars that uses the Innovation and Design for Exploration and Analysis in Teaching Excellence (IDEATE) model (Donaldson & Choi, 2020) to lead in innovative and transformative teaching and learning practices that are grounded in teaching and learning theory and empirical evidence.

Research Focus:

• Effective Learning Environments,
• Teamwork Skills,
• Design Thinking for Engaged Learning

Area of Expertise:

• Evidence-Based, Student-Centered Teaching: Designs and facilitates learning environments that support a wide range of learners through active engagement, clarity, and responsiveness to student needs.
• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL): Leads faculty learning communities and research initiatives using the IDEATE model to explore and advance innovative teaching practices.
• Environmental Science Education: Award-winning instructor in the Bioenvironmental Sciences undergraduate program, integrating real-world context and interdisciplinary approaches.
• Instructional Design for Engagement: Applies design thinking, project-based learning, and alternative assessments to foster deep learning and skill development.
• Faculty Development & Leadership: Experienced academic leader supporting instructional excellence through mentoring, workshops, and strategic program development.

Leadership & Service:

• Associate Director for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) at Texas A&M’s Center for Teaching Excellence, leading faculty development initiatives and advancing pedagogical research.
• Founder and Facilitator of STYLE Certificate Program: Developed and led the Scholarship for Teaching Yields Learning Excellence program, supporting faculty in applying SoTL principles to their teaching.
• Leader of the IDEATE Community of Scholars: Coordinates and facilitates a cross-disciplinary learning community focused on innovation in teaching and learning.
• Mentor and Trainer for Faculty and Graduate Students: Provides ongoing mentorship through programs like MoSI, AFF, and departmental TA training, supporting professional growth in teaching.
• Developer of STEP Co-Design Program: Created and led a student-faculty partnership initiative to foster collaborative course design across disciplines.
• Service Contributions: Led academic program assessment for the Bioenvironmental Sciences undergraduate program; managed core curriculum, Writing (W) and Communication (C) re-certifications; faculty advisor for student organizations; chair of departmental Curriculum and Assessment Committee; served on Learning Management System (LMS) selection committee; serve on Transformational Teaching and Learning Steering Committee (TTLC); service on New Faculty Orientation CTE Working Group.