The Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning Supporting Faculty, Supporting Each Other by Teresa Buckner Director of Publications
Universities routinely hire people with terminal degrees for the role of professor because such an education guarantees that the professor, metaphorically speaking, has taken a deep-dive into the ocean of knowledge on a particular topic. But the job of professor involves more than knowing. If universities like Mars Hill fulfill their missions, professors must also be experts at conveying that knowledge to the students in their courses. The Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning (CETL), began in 2020 on the MHU campus, exists for the purpose of helping to “foster excellence in teaching and learning” and to “support quality and innovative instruction” at Mars Hill University. Through the center, MHU professors support each other in the constant pursuit of better and more impactful teaching. Chris Cain, professor of education and director of the CETL, said that the work of the center is a group effort, led by the CETL board. That board consists of Cain; Marty Gilbert, associate professor of computer science; Kelly Spencer, associate professor of psychology and art therapy; Phyllis Smith, professor of history; Kari Hunt, associate professor of health, human performance, and recreation; Nicole Soper Gorden, assistant professor of biology; and Wendy Dover, instruction librarian.
“The center and our board are here to help faculty as we support each other in any way possible to meet the learning needs of our students.” —Chris Cain, Director, CETL “We’re not here to help with content. Our faculty know their content,” said Cain. “The whole point of the center is to help people who are experts in content get that content to the students. The center and our board are here to help faculty as we support each other in any way possible to meet the learning needs of our students.” How people learn has always been a passion for Cain, he said. So, when, in 2018, President Tony Floyd put together a Leadership Cohort to examine the best programs in universities in the country, Cain jumped at the chance to be part of it. “One of benefits of being a part of this cohort was that we got to explore whatever we wanted in higher ed. I had always had a passion about teaching, especially in higher ed, and so I started 6 Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2022
At left: Chris Cain
