Department(s):
Morgan Teaching & Learning CenterThe Morgan Teaching & Learning Center, in collaboration with the Instructional Design team, is pleased to announce the continuation of the Morgan Pedagogy Champions program for the academic year 2025-2026. All faculty may express interest, including those who served as in prior years. We desire to have one Champion in each department/program.
2025-2026 Theme: Inclusive Teaching and Learning through Metacognition
Metacognition is thinking about one's own thinking, where students with strong metacognitive skills can accurately predict their performance while those with poor metacognition cannot. This skill develops over time, yet some groups receive less instruction or practice in these essential strategies, creating what researchers call a "metacognitive equity gap." Teaching metacognitive strategies—like modeling thinking processes, incorporating reflective writing, and asking students to evaluate their study approaches—is therefore a powerful way to foster inclusive learning environments. By explicitly instructing all students in metacognition, we not only enhance their academic performance but also help bridge equity gaps by providing everyone with tools they need to succeed in our diverse academic community.
Program Goal
Build upon faculty knowledge and action regarding inclusive pedagogy by offering department/program-specific professional development to incorporate metacognition principles and strategies into course design and teaching practices.
Champion Role
Serve as a visible proponent, facilitator/mentor, and point of contact for the advancement of inclusive pedagogy within the department or program while connecting with the campus-wide champions cohort and the Morgan Center for mutual support and learning. Champions are not expected to be experts in metacognition or inclusive pedagogy.
Expectations and Estimated Time Commitment
June 2025 (~8 hours)
- Complete the micro-course (asynchronous online) to familiarize yourself with content related to metacognition as inclusive teaching and create an action plan for sharing with your department.
- Participate in the cohort Community of Practice (CoP) introductory meeting.
- Provide feedback to Jessi Hill on additional content needs and/or department-specific needs.
July/August 2025 (1-2 hours)
- Review the action plan provided by the facilitator for your departmental workshop/intervention. Provide feedback/changes if needed.
- Work with your department head to schedule your department workshop(s)/intervention(s) for the upcoming academic year.
AY 2025/2026 (~2 hours for workshop/prep, 1.5 hours x 4 CoP meetings, ~2 hours/term for departmental support)
- Promote the scheduled workshop within your department in collaboration with department/program leadership.
- Co-facilitate or support the departmental workshop and serve as a resource to the department on the workshop content as needed.
- Attend quarterly Community of Practice (CoP) meetings with the Morgan Pedagogy Champion cohort to reflect on your experiences as a Champion and continue to learn and grow as an educator and leader.
- Connect colleagues with Morgan Center/Instructional Design partners to design and implement inclusive pedagogy into their courses as needed.
- Submit feedback on the experience to help inform future faculty development.
Compensation
Each champion will receive a summer PD stipend of $500 for the expectations outlined above, with $250 disbursed after summer 2025 work and $250 disbursed after the departmental workshop. In addition, champions have the option to work with support staff to consider opportunities for using this work as a foundation for educational research/SoTL efforts and/or improving their own teaching practices. Champions will also be provided with a letter of support or other materials detailing their work, learning, and accomplishments in this program to include in tenure and promotion portfolios.
How to Express Interest
Submit this brief declaration of interest by April 14. Notifications will be made before the end of D-term.