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Center for Teaching Excellence

2025 News Archive

Bringing Empathy to Life through Virtual Reality in Teaching and Learning

Faculty across USC are using immersive technology to deepen empathy and reflection in teaching.

Circle-ing in on Student Success

USC has implemented CircleIn, a peer-led collaboration platform that enhances student engagement and learning outcomes.

New Faculty in Focus Program Enhances Communication Across Departments

The Faculty in Focus Ambassador Program, led by CTE Instructional Designer Courtney Bailey, has launched with 28 faculty members representing departments across USC.

2025 Garnet Apple Award Winners Honored at Oktoberbest

Six faculty members were honored as the 2025 Garnet Apple Award winners during Oktoberbest: A Symposium on Teaching on Friday, October 17.

Oktoberbest 2025 Brings Educators Together to Share, Learn, and Inspire

The 16th Annual Oktoberbest: A Symposium on Teaching on October 17 brought together 156 participants from USC campuses and other colleges and universities across South Carolina for a day of collaboration and innovation in teaching.

Provost Initiative Launches Online Course Quality Review Process

The Office of the Provost has launched a new initiative to strengthen online learning through a structured Online Course Quality Review Process supported by the CTE.

New Guidelines for AI in Teaching

The CTE has released new Guiding Principles for AI Use in Teaching to help educators integrate AI responsibly and effectively.

Effective Teaching Course Now Open to All USC Educators

The Foster Student Learning Through Effective Teaching course is now open to all educators at USC Columbia, the Schools of Medicine, and Palmetto College, including faculty, staff, and graduate teaching assistants. This online experience helps participants strengthen their teaching through evidence-based strategies that enhance course organization, communication, feedback, and student engagement.

Building a Culture of Digital Accessibility

The Digital Accessibility in Teaching and Learning resources provide practical strategies and guidance. Upcoming opportunities, including the Digital Accessibility Microlearning Series and the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Short Course, help educators design engaging, accessible learning experiences.

New Faculty Orientation Welcomes Over 100 Educators to USC

The 2025 New Faculty Orientation welcomed more than 100 new faculty members to USC for a day of connection, learning, and support. Held on September 5 at the University Conference Center, the event featured remarks from university leadership, interactive breakout sessions on teaching, research, and student success, and a resource fair highlighting campus programs and services. The orientation set the tone for a strong start to the academic year and marked the beginning of an ongoing development experience through the New Faculty Academy.

Explore Updated Resources for Teaching Online

CTE has added a new Online Learning section to our website to support educators currently teaching online or preparing to develop online courses.

University-wide Graduate Student Teaching Award Winners for 2024-2025

The CTE is thrilled to recognize the outstanding teaching achievements of our graduate student instructors and graduate teaching/instructional assistants (GTAs/GIAs) from this past academic year.

Summer 2025 Cohort Completes Reflective Teaching Practices for Medical Educators Program

16 faculty members from the School of Medicine Columbia, School of Medicine Greenville, and the College of Pharmacy have completed the Reflective Teaching Practices for Medical Educators (RTPforME) program, which supports educators in strengthening their teaching through reflection, instructional design, and the application of adult learning principles.

Fall Short Courses Prepare Graduate Students and Faculty for Online Teaching

Registration is open for two fall short courses, Teaching Online for Graduate Students (TOGS) and Technology for Online Teaching and Learning (TOTL), that run from October 1-28, 2025, to support online teaching at USC.

Faculty Strengthen Skills through Online Teaching Course

This summer, 14 faculty members successfully completed the Foundations of Online Teaching course, a four-week professional development experience.

Enhance Your Teaching with the New Classroom Feedback Program

CTE's Classroom Feedback initiative includes classroom observations, midterm student feedback, and peer observation training.

Core Principles Define Quality Teaching at USC

USC's Core Principles of Quality Teaching provide a shared foundation for effective instruction across all teaching formats.

GTA/IAs Awarded Grants To Develop Exemplary Student Learning Experiences

Nine Teaching Resource Development Grants were awarded to GTA/IAs IAs to develop exemplary and highly-engaging student learning experiences that will enhance the quality and depth of undergraduate student learning at the USC.

CircleIn Supports Student Engagement and Reduces DFW Rates

CircleIn is a peer-driven app that supports student success in high DFW courses by encouraging collaboration, organization, and consistent study habits. The platform includes note sharing, flashcards, chat, and anonymous Q&A in a familiar, easy-to-use format. Since USC's pilot launched in 2023, students have logged over 1.1 million study actions, with higher engagement linked to better grades and lower DFW rates. Faculty can introduce CircleIn on day one and use it as part of participation.

CTE Launches Comprehensive Resources to Support Online Course Design, Development, and Delivery

New resources are available in the Online Teaching Faculty Toolbox to support faculty in designing, developing, and delivering high-quality online courses. The guides focus on three key areas: course design, course development, and delivery strategies that support student engagement and teaching presence. Each resource offers practical steps, examples, and tools to help faculty create organized, interactive, and student-centered online learning experiences. Instructional consultations are also available to support course planning for upcoming semesters.

Faculty Awarded Grants to Develop Winter Session Online Courses for 2025-2026

Seven faculty members have received the 2025-2026 Winter Session Online Course Development Grant to design or revise fully online, asynchronous undergraduate courses. Supported by the Graduation and Retention Network (GARNET) and the CTE, the grant includes funding, instructional design support, and a quality review. Courses will be offered during Winter Session, December 29, 2025 - January 18, 2026.

Faculty Recognition Continues Through Thank-A-Teacher Program

Each semester, the Thank-A-Teacher program highlights the meaningful impact faculty have on their students. In Fall 2024, 268 instructors were recognized through personalized notes of appreciation - many of which speak to the power of encouragement, mentorship, and transformative teaching.

Faculty Complete Universal Design for Learning in Practice Short Course to Strengthen Inclusive Curriculum Design

Twenty-three faculty members recently completed the UDL in Practice short course. Through peer collaboration, reflective practice, and practical application, participants developed course frameworks grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to support course accessibility and student engagement.

Educators Gather to Strengthen Support for First-Generation College Students

The First-Generation Symposium, held on March 28, welcomed over 200 educators from USC and several other institutions for a day of dialogue focused on supporting first-generation college students. The event featured a keynote by Kem Saichaie, USC-specific data shared by LaNaé Budden, and a student panel that emphasized the importance of relationships, belonging, and asset-based approaches. With practical insights and strategies, the symposium continues to serve as a valuable learning experience for educators committed to student success.

Faculty Advance AI Integration Through Provost's Teaching Fellowship

Twelve faculty members have been selected for the 2025-2026 Provost's AI Teaching Fellowship, a yearlong program focused on integrating generative AI into teaching to support student engagement and learning.

Faculty Showcase Explores the Transformative Potential of Generative AI in Teaching

On February 21, faculty from across the university gathered for the Generative AI Showcase: Practical Applications Across Disciplines. The event highlighted practical ways instructors are using tools like ChatGPT, Udio, and NotebookLM to support student learning, streamline grading, and promote ethical reflection. Ten Provost's AI Teaching Fellows shared examples from courses in public health, social work, business, the arts, and more, showing how GenAI is shaping student engagement across disciplines.

Six Faculty Members Receive 2025 Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation

Six faculty members have been selected for the 2025 Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation, which recognizes exemplary teaching that advances student learning through creative, impactful approaches.

What You Need to Know About the ADA Final Rule for Digital Accessibility

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has introduced the ADA Final Rule for Digital Accessibility. These new guidelines set important standards for creating inclusive digital content under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Introducing the EXCITE Initiative

The CTE's new EXCITE Initiative offers a unique blend of resources and events focused on integrating emerging technologies into student-centered pedagogy.

Explore Our Comprehensive Spring 2025 Professional Development Opportunities

The CTE provides a variety of programs designed to enhance pedagogy, promote inclusion, and support student success.

Enhancing Online Learning Through Winter Session Collaboration

Winter Session, led by the Graduation and Retention Network (GARNET), offers students an opportunity to accelerate their academic progress during the winter break.

CTE Puts Quality Standards at the Forefront of Online Education

The CTE is dedicated to enhancing online education by utilizing the Quality Standards for Online Courses (QSOC) as a comprehensive evaluation tool. This essential evaluation tool enables faculty to assess and elevate the quality of online courses.

CTE and the ODL Merge to Enhance Teaching and Learning at USC

The CTE and the Office of Distributed Learning (ODL) have taken an exciting step forward by consolidating to better support teaching and learning at USC.

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