Movement Makers

Celebrating institutions delivering excellent instruction

2024 Movement Makers

The Movement Maker Awards, presented by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), celebrate higher education institutions that show an outstanding commitment to teaching excellence. These awards honor institutions led by individuals who have significantly fostered a culture that prioritizes and enhances teaching practices, recognizing them for their innovative approaches and dedication to improving student success through effective teaching strategies.

The Ohio Association of Community Colleges

The Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) has significantly invested in teaching excellence through a three-year partnership with ACUE, aiming to certify faculty from all 23 state community colleges. Over 500 faculty members have already earned ACUE certification, with the 2023-2024 cohort completing theirs this spring. The OACC provides statewide access to ACUE’s new courses and was an early adopter of the AI Quick Study Courses. This initiative is strongly supported by the leadership of the OACC and the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Palm Beach State College

Founded in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, Palm Beach State College (PBSC) has grown from serving 41 local students to more than 36,000 from more than 150 countries across five campuses as well as online. For the past two years, PBSC has made a significant investment in teaching excellence by offering faculty the opportunity to pursue a Certificate in Effective Teaching Practice from ACUE. To date, 361 faculty have participated in the certification program and 226 have earned certification. This momentum can be attributed to PBSC’s leadership’s strong advocacy for ACUE certification both on its campuses and nationwide at higher education conferences. In fact, the community college system is creating an “ACUE with Distinction” category for faculty to grow its culture of teaching excellence.

The University of Texas System

The University of Texas System (UT System) boasts an enrollment of more than 256,000 students at academic and health institutions across the state. The UT System’s leadership has demonstrated a deep commitment to creating a culture of great teaching across its network. Beginning with a partnership with ACUE in 2018, and with funding from the System, today all nine academic and three of the health institutions in the UT System offer ACUE certification through institutional Centers for Teaching and Learning.

2023 Movement Makers

Dramatically increasing student retention. Providing nearly 100 percent of faculty with the foundation for delivering excellent instruction. Demonstrating an enduring commitment to the success of all students. These are just a few of the accomplishments of the nine colleges and universities honored as “Movement Makers” at the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE)’s 2023 National Higher Education Teaching Conference (NHETC).

Learn about each of our Movement Maker institutions and systems in the videos below. You can also click one of the logos at the right to be taken to a specific institution.

Broward College

From when it first began collaborating with ACUE in 2018, Broward College had a clear vision to certify 500 faculty in five years and that goal was accomplished. Broward College is a five-time Aspen Finalist and attributes some of its success to equipping faculty with evidence-based teaching practices. In addition, Broward College has not missed a “pinning ceremony” to celebrate faculty that become Certified in the ACUE Framework – even during COVID-19 closures, hosting first a drive-through event, then a virtual one and then a back in-person celebration

California State University System

As the largest and most diverse higher ed system in the nation, the California State University System shows an enduring commitment to the success of all its students and the foundational role that teaching plays in that commitment. Since 2016, individual campuses like Cal State – Los Angeles, and Cal, State – Northridge, in addition to the system as a whole, have partnered with ACUE to ensure that their faculty use the innovative, relevant, evidence-based teaching practices that place equitable student success at the forefront.

Miami Dade College

Starting in the fall of 2015, Miami Dade College was one of the first institutions to partner with ACUE, providing faculty with effective teaching practices to enhance the learning experience for future students. In the time since, the college has integrated the Effective Teaching Practices Framework into its tenure and promotion programs. In 2019, Miami Dade College was recognized for its excellence and awarded the prestigious Aspen Prize.

Rutgers University–Newark

Rutgers University-Newark began investing in students using effective teaching practices in 2016. Cohorts of Rutgers University-Newark faculty continue to earn their Certification in the Effective Teaching Practices Framework with transformative results.

Texas A&M University System

Under the leadership of Associate Vice Chancellor Shonda Gibson, Ph.D, the Texas A&M System sets an example for how to provide quality education By implementing the ACUE Framework and engaging 1,310 faculty members across its institutions, the System has made significant progress towards its goal of delivering excellent instruction to every student. With an average of 120 students per year per faculty member, this initiative has tremendous potential. Prairie View A&M University’s Teaching Center in particular, guided by Dr. Laurette Foster and Dr. Shayla Wiggins, is a prime example of how institutions within the System can propel this systemwide initiative forward.

University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College

Under the leadership of former Chancellor Margaret Ellibee, Ph.D., and current Chancellor Summer Deprow, Ph.D., the University of Arkansas, Pulaski Tech (UAPTC), certified 98 percent of its faculty in the Effective Teaching Practices Framework. The result is significantly more students passing courses, fewer receiving DFW grades, and more attaining higher average course grades when taught by faculty Certified in the ACUE Framework – with Black and Latino students experiencing even greater gains. UAPTC serves as a model for community colleges with its comprehensive approach to student success through effective teaching.

The University of Southern Mississippi

In the fall of 2016, faculty at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) began taking ACUE courses. Today, more than 300 have participated across the university – with one out of every three full-time faculty Certified in the ACUE Framework. Additionally, USM is on track to ensure every student benefits from high-quality, evidence-based instruction in every class.