Florence-Darlington Technical College, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Queensborough Community College, and Winston-Salem State University will be recognized at Student Success US 2025, a national gathering of higher education leaders in Atlanta
NEW YORK (November 17, 2025) — The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) has announced the four 2025 Movement Maker Award honorees—three distinguished higher education institutions and one university system recognized for their extraordinary and enduring commitment to advancing student success through quality instruction.
Being named a Movement Maker is a prestigious national distinction honoring institutions that excel in elevating faculty teaching that impact powerful student outcomes, and shape the future of higher education nationwide.
The 2025 honorees—Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC), the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), Queensborough Community College (QCC), and Winston-Salem State University (WSSU)—will be celebrated at the opening reception of the Student Success US 2025 / National Higher Education Teaching Conference (NHETC) held November 17–19 in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Congratulations to our 2025 Movement Maker Award recipients,” said Andrew Hermalyn, ACUE Chairman and CEO. “These institutions are exemplifying transformational leadership by proving that outstanding teaching is the most powerful catalyst for student success and a unifying force in a time of unprecedented change in higher education.”
Now in its third year, the Movement Maker Awards ceremony will be presented for the first time in partnership with Times Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed at this unified national event aimed at empowering practitioners to succeed through uncertainty.
About the 2025 Movement Makers
Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC)
Under the visionary leadership of President Dr. Jermaine Ford, Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) ignited one of the most remarkable first-year transformations in the Great Teaching Movement. Partnering with ACUE in 2024, FDTC made instructional quality its top institutional priority. Within its first year, 95% of full-time faculty and 43% of instructional staff earned ACUE certification, achieving a 97% course completion rate—among the highest first-year rates across all ACUE partners. Notably, Dr. Ford became one of the nation’s first college presidents to complete ACUE’s Certification in Effective Teaching alongside faculty, modeling lifelong learning and setting a powerful example of leadership in action.
“Our mission to transform diverse lives through excellence and innovation starts with the example set by leadership,” said Dr. Jermaine Ford, FDTC President. “When we learn evidence-based teaching practices alongside our faculty, excellence becomes contagious and our students, community, and entire institution benefit.”
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE)
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is redefining what collaboration in public higher education can look like through a bold, systemwide commitment to great teaching focused on student success. The partnership began in 2021 with a pilot program at a single institution and quickly gained momentum. Within a few years, as faculty saw the transformation in their classrooms, the majority of PASSHE universities launched their own ACUE programs, ultimately scaling the initiative systemwide to unite 10 universities in a shared language of effective teaching. Nearly 200 faculty are ACUE-certified, with over 800 engaged in ACUE courses to date. PASSHE exemplifies how regional public universities can strengthen systemwide collaboration—sharing resources, co-developing courses, and uniting around a shared vision of teaching excellence focused on student success.
“When we invest in our educators, we invest in every student they teach,” said Dr. Diana Rogers-Adkinson, Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs, Chief Academic Officer, PASSHE. “Our partnership with ACUE is helping us to support a shared view of excellence in teaching across the system—ensuring that no matter where a student learns within PASSHE, they experience high-quality instruction that supports their learning and success.”
Queensborough Community College (QCC)
Part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, Queensborough Community College (QCC) has long stood as a symbol of access, opportunity, and upward mobility in one of the most diverse communities in the nation. Since partnering with ACUE in 2020, QCC has made teaching a strategic priority to strengthen student achievement and belonging for their students—65% of instructional staff have participated in ACUE courses, including Fostering a Culture of Belonging, with nearly one-third earning the Certification in Effective Teaching. A recent impact study found that students in courses taught by ACUE-certified faculty achieved 8% higher grades, 6% higher pass rates, and 17% fewer Ds, Fs, and course Withdrawals (DFW rates)—with the greatest gains among Black/African American students. Further analysis at the institution found that the college’s broader teaching excellence initiatives have contributed to measurable gains in first-year retention, establishing QCC as a national model for how community colleges can address achievement gaps and drive academic excellence through great teaching.
“After years of intentional investment in comprehensive faculty development and evidence-based teaching practices, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact reflected in student academic achievement, retention and overall success,” said Dr. Christine Mangino, President of QCC. “These results are a testament to the dedication and care of our faculty and instructional staff, whose commitment to continuous learning through ACUE’s courses and dedication to implementing teaching excellence is transforming lives every day.”
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU)
Recognized as one of the nation’s leading public Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) has made an extraordinary, campuswide commitment to student success—anchored in its bold vision to “retain and graduate 100% of its students.” Since partnering with ACUE in 2021, nearly 40% of faculty have earned Certification in Effective Teaching Practices through the university’s “ACUE Excellence in Online Instruction Project.” Led by Senior Faculty Development Specialist Dr. Jeremiah Shipp and the Center for Innovative and Transformative Instruction (CITI), WSSU continues to expand its ACUE programs each year, most recently launching a “Generative AI in Teaching” cohort to help faculty integrate AI tools with creativity and purpose. Department chairs and academic leaders learn alongside faculty, modeling the same growth mindset they seek to inspire, reflecting the university’s unwavering commitment to high-quality educational experiences that enhance student lives.
“At WSSU, we believe in the ‘genius’ of every student, and our faculty’s commitment to effective teaching is proof of this belief in action,” said Frank Ingram, PhD WSSU Associate Provost, Academic Budget and Faculty Affairs. “Through ACUE’s comprehensive framework, our instructors are not just enhancing their skills, they are shaping the future of our students and ensuring they thrive and are ready for the challenges of successfully making their way in the world.”
Expanding the Movement
The Great Teaching Movement, powered by ACUE, is a national effort to ensure every student experiences the extraordinary power of effective teaching. Grounded in decades of research and practice, ACUE equips and certifies college educators in evidence-based teaching practices proven to improve student engagement, retention, and achievement. Today, 60,000 faculty across more than 600 institutions have joined this growing movement—advancing instructional excellence and reimagining student success in higher education.
About Inside Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed provides the latest news, analysis, and solutions for the entire higher education community. Our mission is to provide forward-looking insights and services to the entire higher education community, empowering individuals and organizations to excel and transform learners’ lives. We are proud to have earned the trust and loyalty of more than 2 million monthly readers by speaking as a fiercely independent voice, providing thoughtful, substantive analysis on the pressing issues facing higher education today. For more information, visit insidehighered.com.
About Times Higher Education
Times Higher Education’s mission is to be the definitive source of data, insight, and expertise on higher education worldwide. Our business is built on 10 million data points from over 7,000 institutions in 171 countries; on unrivalled news, insight, and intelligence; and on a relationship of trust with universities spanning 50 years. This unique combination enables us to help institutions, their leadership teams, and millions of students make informed decisions that will define their futures every year. For more information, visit timeshighereducation.com.
About ACUE
The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) is dedicated to student success through high-quality instruction. In partnership with higher education institutions, we offer the only nationally recognized Effective Teaching Certification, endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE), supported by a vibrant online community of practice focused on advancing teaching excellence.
ACUE-certified faculty deliver exceptional teaching in every class, resulting in higher student engagement, improved achievement, and stronger retention—outcomes that enhance institutional impact and support long-term student success. Learn more at acue.org.
Media Contact for Times Higher Education:
Stacy Murray, Head of Events Marketing
stacy.murray@timeshighereducation.com
Media Contact for ACUE:
Gabriela Acosta, Sr. Director of Marketing
gacosta@acue.org
