Drive Student Success Through Quality Instruction
Partnering With Colleges and Universities to Elevate Teaching, Learning, and Student Outcomes
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.
Effective Teaching Framework®
ACUE’s Effective Teaching Framework is the foundation for every course, pathway, and certification we offer. Grounded in research, it defines the essential instructional skills all college educators should master. Through this framework, faculty move from foundational knowledge to higher-order learning—applying evidence-based approaches, refining their teaching, and engaging in meaningful reflection with peers and experts.
Designing an Effective Course
- Ensuring Learner-Centered Course Outcomes
- Designing Aligned Assessments and Assignments
- Aligning Learning Experiences With Course Outcomes
- Preparing an Effective Syllabus
Establishing a Productive Learning Environment
- Starting Strong
- Fostering a Productive Learning Environment
- Motivating Your Students
- Advancing Achievement for All Students
- Helping Students Persist in Their Studies
Using Active Learning Strategies
- Using Groups to Ensure Active Learning
- Using the Active Learning Cycle
- Developing Effective Class Sessions and Lectures
- Planning Effective Discussions
- Facilitating Engaging Discussions
Promoting Higher Order Thinking
- Providing Clear Directions and Explanations
- Using Concept Maps and Other Visualization Tools
- Teaching Powerful Note-Taking Skills
- Using Advanced Questioning Techniques
- Developing Self-Directed Learners
Assessing to Inform Instruction and Promote Learning
- Developing Fair, Consistent, and Transparent Grading Practices
- Creating Clarity with Checklists and Rubrics
- Providing Useful Feedback
- Checking for Student Understanding
- Using Student Achievement and Feedback to Improve Your Teaching
Our Guiding Principles
Teaching excellence transforms lives. We show up every day with purpose and energized by what’s at stake—for students, faculty, staff, and every institution that puts their trust in us. We strive to bring joy, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to everything we do. It’s who we are and how we work.
Pursue Excellence
Set the bar high, meet it, then raise it.
Be Authentic
Share your perspective—your voice and experience make us better.
Collaborate With Purpose
Engage with empathy, welcome diverse perspectives, and build better solutions together.
Recognize Success
Celebrate wins, find joy in the work, and lift up the people around you.
Lead With Integrity
Say what you mean, do what you say, and take responsibility for your actions.
ACUE History
Advancing our mission to empower educators, transform teaching and learning, and drive student success.
January
ACUE Founded
JANUARY
ACUE Founded
ACUE was established in New York City to advance effective teaching and improve student success.
SEPTEMBER
Certification Pilot
SEPTEMBER
Certification Pilot
More than 400 faculty and administrators across six institutions joined ACUE’s first pilot, providing positive feedback and strengthening course modules.
OCTOBER
Effective Teaching Framework
OCTOBER
Effective Teaching Framework
ACUE created its evidence-based Effective Teaching Framework, the foundation of all certification pathways.
“Experts helped us identify what great college teaching actually takes, and ACE endorsed the result. What made it our North Star was evidence that students succeed when faculty learn it.” – Penny MacCormack, EdD, Chief Academic Officer
Read More
MARCH
Effective Practice Framework Endorsement
MARCH
Effective Practice Framework Endorsement
ACE endorsed ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework and Certificate in Effective College Instruction, affirming ACUE’s research-based approach to effective teaching.
Course Framework
APRIL
Effective Teaching Practices Launch
APRIL
Effective Teaching Practices Launch
The launch of Effective Teaching Practices provided faculty with a comprehensive pathway to teaching excellence grounded in evidence-based practices.
MAY
First Institutional Partner – Miami Dade College
MAY
First Institutional Partner – Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College became ACUE’s first partner, helping establish ACUE’s institutional model and beginning a longstanding partnership.
“As an MDC alumna, I’m proud Miami Dade College helped launch ACUE’s journey to improve teaching and student success.” – Petra Kohlmann, Senior Partnership Director
OCTOBER
ACUE and Teaching in Higher Ed’s Collaboration
OCTOBER
ACUE and Teaching in Higher Ed’s Collaboration
ACUE partnered with the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast to expand conversations about evidence-based teaching through expert interviews, blogs, and multimedia resources.
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NOVEMBER
ACE White Paper on Faculty Development
NOVEMBER
ACE White Paper on Faculty Development
An ACE white paper, developed with ACUE, highlighted the measurable impact of evidence-based teaching on student achievement and institutional success.
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NOVEMBER
Change Magazine Feature
NOVEMBER
Change Magazine Feature
Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning featured ACUE’s innovative model for advancing teaching excellence through comprehensive, evidence-based faculty development.
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JANUARY
Graduate Credits for ETP
JANUARY
Graduate Credits for ETP
ACE recommended three graduate credits for educators who completed ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practices course.
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FEBRUARY
Connecting the Dots Paper
FEBRUARY
Connecting the Dots Paper
Connecting the Dots established ACUE’s framework for evaluating faculty development and student outcomes.
“Connecting the Dots established a rigorous framework for evaluating how faculty certified through ACUE’s evidence-based courses strengthen their teaching and improve student outcomes.” – Meghan Snow, EdD, Chief Learning Officer
View Study
FEBRUARY
First Impact Study
FEBRUARY
First Impact Study
A Johns Hopkins study found that Miami Dade College students taught by ACUE-credentialed faculty reported higher levels of course engagement and satisfaction.
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APRIL
National Career Readiness Initiative
APRIL
National Career Readiness Initiative
ACUE joined a national initiative, supported by a $1.2 million Strada grant, to help faculty integrate evidence-based teaching practices and career readiness into their courses.
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MARCH
Career Guidance and Readiness Course
MARCH
Career Guidance and Readiness Course
In partnership with CIC, Strada, and the Career Leadership Collective, ACUE launched its Career Guidance and Readiness course, preparing faculty to help students build career-ready skills.
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APRIL
Independent Panel Validation
APRIL
Independent Panel Validation
An independent research panel validated ACUE’s research methodology and findings, confirming the link between faculty development, teaching improvement, and student learning.
“The range, depth, and rigor of the ACUE studies… reinforce the link between faculty development, teaching improvement, and student learning.” – ACUE Research Review Findings, Independent Review Committee, 2019
“The range, depth, and rigor of the ACUE studies… reinforce the link between faculty development, teaching improvement, and student learning.” – ACUE Research Review Findings, Independent Review Committee, 2019
View Report
SEPTEMBER
Carnegie Grant Support for Career Readiness Initiative
SEPTEMBER
Carnegie Grant Support for Career Readiness Initiative
Carnegie Corporation awarded ACUE a $150,000 grant to credential 60 faculty at CUNY’s Colin Powell School, creating a scalable model that combined effective instruction and career readiness for more than 7,000 students.
OCTOBER
ACUE and NISOD Credit-Bearing Seminars
OCTOBER
ACUE and NISOD Credit-Bearing Seminars
ACUE and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) launched credit-bearing regional seminars that gave faculty hands-on training in evidence-based teaching practices while earning credit toward an ACUE Certification in Effective Teaching.
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APRIL
The Learning Imperative
APRIL
The Learning Imperative
ACUE and the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) launched Scaling Instructional Excellence for Student Success, a national initiative that expanded access to high-quality faculty development and evidence-based teaching practices.
APRIL
Texas A&M University System Partnership
APRIL
Texas A&M University System Partnership
The Texas A&M University System brought ACUE certification to more than 1,000 faculty, helping ensure high-quality instruction for nearly 300,000 students.
“The impact of our partnership with ACUE is clear: Students taught by ACUE-certified faculty are more engaged and achieve better outcomes. Scaling this strategy across an entire university system affirms that our students will experience excellence in every class.”
– Shonda Gibson, PhD, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Transformation Officer, The Texas A&M University System
– Shonda Gibson, PhD, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Transformation Officer, The Texas A&M University System
MAY
Study Linking ACUE Certification to Closing Institutional Gaps
MAY
Study Linking ACUE-Certification to Closing Institutional Gaps
ACUE and Broward College published a research study that demonstrated improved student outcomes and closed institutional achievement gaps.
View Study
JUNE
Effective Online Teaching Practices
JUNE
Effective Online Teaching Practices
ACUE successfully launched Effective Online Teaching Practices, expanding its portfolio with a course designed to help faculty excel in online learning environments.
MAY
USM Research Studies Demonstrating Student Impact
MAY
USM Research Studies Demonstrating Student Impact
ACUE published three studies with the University of Southern Mississippi that linked ACUE certification to higher grades, lower DFW rates, and stronger outcomes for first-year students.
View Study
JUNE
HBCU Initiative
JUNE
HBCU Initiative
ACUE and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) launched a national initiative to strengthen online and hybrid instruction at HBCUs.
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FEBRUARY
University of Southern Mississippi Study on Retention Gains
FEBRUARY
University of Southern Mississippi Study on Retention Gains
JUNE
ACUE Leadership Summit
JUNE
ACUE Leadership Summit
The inaugural ACUE Leadership Summit convened higher education leaders to begin the work of making teaching and learning central to the student success agenda.
DECEMBER
Fostering a Culture of Belonging Microcredential
DECEMBER
Fostering a Culture of Belonging Microcredential
ACUE introduced a course focused on fostering belonging and inclusion campus wide.
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MARCH
Meta-Analysis Findings of Positive Effects on Student Outcomes
MARCH
Meta-Analysis Findings of Positive Effects on Student Outcomes
A meta-analysis of ACUE evaluations found significant improvements in course completion, DFW rates, and average grades among students taught by ACUE-credentialed faculty.
View Study
JUNE
1st Movement Maker Awards
JUNE
1st Movement Maker Awards
The first Movement Maker Awards honored distinguished institutions as trailblazers in advancing student success through transformative teaching initiatives.
JUNE
ACUE Commons
JUNE
ACUE Commons
ACUE Commons and Quick Studies expanded professional learning, networking, and collaboration opportunities.
“ACUE Commons connects educators in a vibrant community of practice, supporting their continued professional growth through ongoing access to ACUE courses, events, and Quick Studies.” – Meghan Snow, EdD, Chief Learning Officer
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SEPTEMBER
Lumina-Funded Research on Student Perception of Instructors
SEPTEMBER
Lumina-Funded Research on Student Perception of Instructors
Lumina-funded research examined why students recommend some professors over others, uncovering common themes associated with effective instruction and positive learning experiences.
View Study
SEPTEMBER
Gates-Funded Mindset Study
SEPTEMBER
Gates-Funded Mindset Study
The Gates-funded Mindset Study examined the transformative effects of comprehensive faculty development on faculty mindsets, self-efficacy, and student learning mindsets.
“The Gates Mindset Study showed that comprehensive faculty development has the power to strengthen faculty self-efficacy and mindsets; rather than requiring a certain mindset to benefit, faculty can develop their mindsets alongside the impact they have on student outcomes.” – Meghan Snow, EdD, Chief Learning Officer
View Study
NOVEMBER
ACUE Turns 10!
NOVEMBER
ACUE Turns 10!
ACUE celebrated a decade of advancing quality instruction, marked by a growing body of research demonstrating the impact of ACUE Certification on student outcomes.
NOVEMBER
2nd Annual Movement Maker Awards
NOVEMBER
2nd Annual Movement Maker Awards
The second annual awards honored institutions advancing teaching excellence and improving student outcomes at scale.
JANUARY
ACUE Complete and ET101
JANUARY
ACUE Complete and ET101
ACUE launched Effective Teaching 101, a self-paced course equipping new faculty with proven teaching practices that engage students from day one, designed to complement ACUE Complete, the full ecosystem of research-backed courses, certifications, and community.
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JULY
Nursing Pathway
JULY
Nursing Pathway
A specialized pathway was introduced to support excellence in nursing education, offering participants 48 hours of continuing education credits.
SEPTEMBER
Deliberative Dialogue Quick Studies Series
SEPTEMBER
Deliberative Dialogue Quick Studies Series
Supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Deliberative Dialogue series equips educators to facilitate meaningful conversations that build students’ critical thinking, communication, and civic engagement skills.
OCTOBER
Growing ACE Alliance
OCTOBER
Growing ACE Alliance
ACUE and ACE expanded their longstanding partnership to further support instructional excellence.
“ACUE-certified faculty drive transformative change by elevating teaching and learning, leading to stronger student outcomes across higher education” – Ted Mitchell, President, American Council on Education (ACE)
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OCTOBER
Studies Showcasing Measurable Impact
OCTOBER
Studies Showcasing Measurable Impact
New studies highlighted measurable impact at Texas A&M University System, Florida Atlantic University, and Queensborough Community College.
View Studies
NOVEMBER
3rd Annual Movement Maker Awards
NOVEMBER
3rd Annual Movement Maker Awards
The third annual awards recognized institutions driving innovation in teaching and student success.
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DECEMBER
ACUE Commons Endorsements
DECEMBER
ACUE Commons Endorsements
ACUE introduced Endorsements, earned through ACUE Commons, which recognize educators who continue building expertise in timely and evolving areas of practice.
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APRIL
CHANGE Initiative
APRIL
CHANGE Initiative
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and ACUE expanded their partnership through the CHANGE Initiative, broadening professional development for faculty, staff, and leaders across HBCUs to strengthen student success and institutional excellence.
Read More
MAY
Sam Houston State University Independent Study
MAY
Sam Houston State University Independent Study
Independent research confirmed that ACUE professional development and certification delivers significantly stronger results for students.
View Study
