Innovative Teaching Fellows
Program Overview
The Office of the Provost selected 18 faculty members to participate in the inaugural Innovative Teaching Fellows program to assist with developing expertise beyond an already established foundational knowledge in one of three technical tracks. The expectation is for the faculty members to exemplify their understanding of how an area is implemented in teaching and learning. This program will consist of the following three tracks:
- Teaching with artificial intelligence (AI)
- Canvas (and associated tools) usage
- Classroom technology and its uses
The members will serve two-year terms as a community cohort. Members will complete projects in one of the three tracks above and disseminate their findings and innovations to their communities and the broader university. The group may also serve as evaluators for educational tools offered by external organizations if Texas A&M is considering adoption.
The program will begin in the Fall semester and continue through the following Spring semester, last for two full academic years.
Program Outcomes, Benefits, Logistics and Timeline
Outcomes
- Foster awareness of the latest developments and best practices in AI, Canvas, and classroom technology applications in various disciplines and domains.
- Experiment and innovate with tools and techniques to enhance teaching, learning, and research outcomes.
- Participate in dialogue and feedback among members and external experts to share experiences, successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
- Develop project proposals that advance innovative teaching and learning.
The Innovative Teaching Fellows program welcomes faculty with an established foundational understanding of the working group they wish to participate in. Participants will engage in discussions and the creation of project proposals to develop innovative teaching techniques surrounding the three working group topics.
Benefits and Milestones
- An enhanced understanding of a topic that is prevalent in academic affairs promoting professional development
- Strategies for more effective implementation of AI, Canvas or classroom technology
- Networking opportunities with faculty across the university
- A faculty cluster of teaching innovation, excellence, and expertise in strategic areas identified as important to teaching and learning at Texas A&M University
Logistics and Timeline
Cohort 1 launched in Fall 2024 and concludes in Spring 2026.
Cohort 2 applications open in March of 2025. The program runs from Fall 2025 to Spring 2027.
- Kick-off Informational Meeting: Face-to-face, 2-hour lunch meeting in the early fall semester (date, time, location to be determined based on participant availability)
- Monthly 2-hour lunch meetings over the course of the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters within each technical expertise community
- Presentation of project conceptualization plan for peer dissemination, and presentation of implemented project at TTLC or similar teaching and learning conference
- The Innovative Teaching Fellows program will engage in activities such as workshops, webinars, demos, discussions, projects, and showcases over its four-semester duration
Program Timeline
Facilitators and Innovative Teaching Fellows
Additional facilitators include: the Innovative Teaching Fellows Advisory Committee, Educational Consultants Kelli Adam (AI), Carlos Perez (Canvas), and Reem Hussein (Classroom Technology), and Innovative Teaching Fellows graduate students Beryl Lamptey-Jahara (AI), Miriam Watts (Canvas), and Lida Ehteshami (Classroom Technology).
Michael Johnson, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President
Clint Patterson, Ed.D.
Associate Director of Mentoring and Collaborative Innovation Center for Teaching ExcellenceBranch Campus Pilot Cohort 2, 2025-2027
Branch Campus Pilot Cohort 2, 2025-2027
Canvas
| Xuan Wang | College of Arts and Sciences |
| Lin Qiu | College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies |
| Catherine Silkwood | College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences |
Artificial Intelligence
|
Fellow |
College/School |
|
Bjorn Bangstein |
College of Engineering |
|
Cassandra Moffitt |
College of Nursing |
|
Isabella Patino |
School of Public Health |
Cohort 2, 2025-2027
Innovative Teaching Fellows
Canvas
| Fellow | College/School |
|---|---|
| Claudia Benavides Espinoza | College of Education and Human Development |
| Natalie Pakhotina | College of Arts and Sciences |
| Michael Scialdone | Mays Business School |
| Shannona Parish | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences |
| Nathan Hawk | College of Education and Human Development |
| Patrick Wilson | College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences |
Artificial Intelligence
| Fellow | College/School |
|---|---|
| Yang Liu | College of Engineering |
| Suzann Ramos | College of Education and Human Development |
| Yu Zhang | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences |
| Vanessa Reiser | College of Performance, Visualization, and Fine Arts |
| Altay Dikec | Mays Business School |
| Ivis Garcia | College of Architecture |
Classroom Technology
| Fellow | College/School |
|---|---|
| Chelsey Rosen | College of Nursing |
| Elizabeth Scallan | College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Ufodike Chukwuzubelu | College of Engineering |
| Justin Scheiner | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences |
| Daniel Collins | College of Arts and Sciences |
| Allison Ross | College of Nursing |
Cohort 1, 2024-2026
Innovative Teaching Fellows
Canvas
| Fellow | College/School |
|---|---|
| Amanda Trimble | School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences |
| Angela Clendenin | School of Public Health |
| Darren Henrichs | College of Arts and Sciences |
| Sherry Lin | School of Public Health |
| Zhihong Xu | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences |
| Tamy Frank-Cannon | School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences |
Artificial Intelligence
| Fellow | College/School |
|---|---|
| Bangning Zhang | School of Public Health |
| Cindy Raisor | Bush School of Government & Public Service |
| Lisa Troy | Mays Business School |
| John Williams | College of Education and Human Development |
| Rafael Landaverde | College of Agricultural and Life Sciences |
| Robert Hardin | College of Agricultural and Life Sciences |
Classroom Technology
| Fellow | College/School |
|---|---|
| Claire Carly-Miles | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Charles Patrick | College of Engineering |
| Robert "Jay" Woodward | College of Education and Human Development |
| Robin Rackley | College of Education and Human Development |
| Shreya Raghavan | College of Engineering |
| Shannon Washburn | School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences |
Innovative Teaching Fellows Program Timeline (August 2024 - January 2025)
August 2024 – Orientation / Kick-off Meeting
- Fellows were introduced to the program structure, objectives, and expectations.
- Initial discussions on leveraging AI, Canvas, and classroom technology began.
September - November 2024 – Discussions Around Project Ideas
- Faculty explored challenges in their teaching methods and potential solutions.
-
Monthly meetings facilitated brainstorming and collaboration on project concepts.
December 2024 – Project Proposal Documentation
- Fellows submitted initial project proposals.
-
Provided an opportunity to refine ideas and receive feedback.
January 2025 – 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) Presentations
- Proposals outlined specific goals, methodologies, and implementation plans for Spring 2025.
- Fellows presented their project concepts in a Three Minute Thesis (3MT) format.