The university is now partnering with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to support faculty training and development in effective teaching practices. ACUE’s resources are constructed around a research-based framework. They’re a great fit for faculty who want to integrate new pedagogy or technology — or simply want fresh ideas for engaging students.

We recently touched base with Nancy Gordon, director of the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL), to talk about what this partnership offers our faculty.

ACUE Commons

Thanks to this partnership, all Missouri State faculty can access the ACUE Commons, an online library of resources about hot topics in higher ed. Within the ACUE Commons, “quick studies” courses — one-hour sessions targeting specific teaching challenges — are particularly popular.

“Faculty can move through ‘quick studies’ as needed, at their own pace,” Gordon says. “When we looked through the options, we immediately saw several titles that align with our strategic plan, including ones on experiential learning and Open Educational Resources.”

How to Access the Commons

If you’re a faculty member, you should have received an email from ACUE — an invitation to activate your ACUE Commons account. If you haven’t received this invitation (and it’s not in your spam or junk folder), contact ACUE’s support team.

On October 16, ACUE staff will lead a campuswide introductory session about the Commons library. For more information about this session or about the Commons, visit the FCTL website.

ACUE Certificate in Effective Teaching Practices

If you’re seeking more in-depth professional development, consider the ACUE Certificate in Effective Teaching Practices, a nationally recognized teaching credential. In January, a cohort of Missouri State faculty will begin a year-long program to earn the certificate.

“The program asks faculty to learn practices, implement them in the classroom and reflect on the impact,” Gordon says.

Once it’s complete, ACUE leaders will come to campus for a pinning ceremony that recognizes faculty who’ve earned the certificate.

FAQ

How can I join the ACUE Certificate in Effective Teaching Practices cohort?
Applications are open until November 30 or until all seats are filled. Enrollment is limited to 45 participants. Spots will be filled on a first-come/first-served basis. Visit the FCTL website to download the application.

Who’s eligible to apply?
To be eligible, faculty must be teaching in any modality (face-to-face, online, blended or HyFlex) during spring 2026 and fall 2026 semesters.

What’s the time commitment for cohort members? 
The program includes four, asynchronous, online courses. Each course takes between six and eight weeks to complete. You should expect to spend three hours a week on course content. The program will run during spring 2026 and fall 2026 semesters. During the summer, course content will be available, but no course work will be due.

If this isn’t a great time for me to participate, will I have other opportunities in the future? 
We hope so. The FCTL team will gauge interest based on the number of applications they receive. While we probably won’t offer the program each year, Gordon says some other interval — like every three years — might make sense. “Seeing the level of interest will help us make that decision,” she says.