University of Arkansas at Fort Smith to offer new learning program for faculty

UAFS Launches Innovative Faculty Program

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) is introducing a groundbreaking learning program specifically tailored for its faculty members. This strategic move aims to enhance faculty expertise and reinforce student engagement through advanced educational methods.

At the heart of this initiative is the newly established Center for Teaching and Learning, which significantly bolsters the university’s commitment to academic excellence and student success. This center leverages both internal and external expertise, offering collaborative programming that directly impacts every faculty member and, in turn, every student.

As part of this comprehensive program, UAFS now provides access to LinkedIn Learning, offering over 16,000 online courses taught by industry experts to its full-time faculty, staff, and students. This empowerment of faculty translates directly to enhanced student learning outcomes.

A key focus of the center is to keep pace with the rapidly changing needs of its students. This includes addressing the emotional and psychological impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on students graduating from 2020 to 2030. By continuously training faculty in innovative pedagogy, the university ensures that students are prepared for the demands of an increasingly digitized and technologically advanced workforce.

Besides providing advanced teaching methodologies, the program fosters cross-campus collaborations, integrating the student health clinic, counseling center, academic success center, and the Babb Center for Career Services to create holistic learning experiences. This multi-faceted approach ensures that students receive comprehensive support throughout their academic journey.

The university plans to gauge the effectiveness of the program using existing assessment tools, enabling data-driven decisions to further optimize the center’s influence on student engagement and learning outcomes.