Partner Spotlight
Hattiesburg, MS
Public 4-Year
13,000
When the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) developed their Quality Enhancement Plan in 2016, they sought to improve Gateway and Pathway experiences for students. For Gateway courses that meant a focus on student outcomes through active learning. Their search for an effective solution led them to the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE)—a partnership that would not only transform their institutional culture but also deliver measurable improvements in student success and 8x return on investment.
USM’s journey began with a focused approach, targeting gateway courses in math, chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, and history. What set their implementation apart was their innovative community of practice model.
“We gather after the course-takers have done their asynchronous work on that week’s module, typically on Fridays, to engage in discussion with other course-takers,” Dr. Melanie Leuty explained.
These meetings, facilitated by Center for Faculty Development staff and later by faculty certified in the ACUE framework, became vital spaces for problem-solving and pedagogical innovation.
The results were immediate and compelling. Faculty reported improved exam scores, with one anatomy and physiology professor noting significant improvements after implementing ACUE’s evidence-based practices. Other faculty noted that the implementation of peer-to-peer interactions, transparency in course assessments, and integration of student evaluation throughout the course led to increased student engagement and success. Further, an enhanced sense of camaraderie was established. The program fostered connections across disciplines, from dance to chemistry, creating a vibrant community of practice that transcended departmental boundaries.
Part of USM’s success was their commitment to cultivating an environment where faculty felt safe to experiment and learn.
“It’s really important for faculty to be able to come and say that something didn’t quite work, without feeling like there are ramifications to their evaluation,” said Dr. Ashley Allen.
This philosophy of psychological safety, paired with the workshopping benefits of peer collaboration, helped faculty refine their application of evidence-based practices in their courses.
What began with 17 ACUE faculty teaching 107 gateway course sections quickly gained momentum through word-of-mouth success stories. Dr. Leuty, who joined in the third cohort, became an informal ambassador, naturally sharing evidence-based practices with peers during department meetings. This organic growth was supplemented by strategic decisions, such as requiring faculty who want to use learning assistants to complete ACUE’s Promoting Active Learning course.
The program’s success led to some unexpected developments as well. Course-takers who completed the initial Promoting Active Learning course consistently requested to continue with the courses covering the other parts of ACUE’s framework. As Dr. Kelly Lester observed, “We shouldn’t have been surprised, based on the research of ACUE, but most course-takers who start the path to certification finish.” For many years, USM achieved the highest completion rate among ACUE partners.
USM’s approach to sustaining this momentum has been multifaceted. They’ve embedded ACUE into their institutional strategic plan, with a specific objective to “foster a culture dedicated to teaching excellence and positive learning outcomes.” They’ve also expanded the program’s reach beyond faculty to include staff and graduate teaching assistants in both face-to-face and online teaching. The multipronged approach creates valuable cross-institution connections that support faculty and student success.
Recognition plays a key role in their strategy, which led to the creation of the USM Distinguished ACUE Teaching Scholar designation. Complete with medallions for certified faculty and trophies for advanced certification, this endeavor has helped to inspire and maintain enthusiasm.
A comprehensive study conducted between the fall of 2016 and the spring of 2020 revealed compelling evidence of ACUE’s impact on student achievement. The research, which analyzed 4,502 student-by-course section outcomes representing 1,976 unique students, found the following:
The impact of partnering with ACUE extends beyond metrics. By enhancing teaching practices, educators create ripple effects across students’ academic careers.
“I had a student who said, ‘I really like how you split up the paper because it made it less overwhelming. Now I know I can do that in my next class,’” shared Dr. Leuty.
Dr. Lester summarizes the transformation perfectly: “When we approach it in this way that promotes lifelong learning for our students, we are creating a landscape for student success.”
Through its partnership with ACUE, USM has demonstrated how a strategic commitment to teaching excellence can transform an institution and create lasting positive outcomes for students.
2016
850
375
750
227
33
97%
Associate Provost for Faculty Success and Professor of Dance
Director of the Center for Faculty Development and Professor of Psychology
Associate Director, Center for Faculty Development and Associate Professor of Music
ACUE has helped over 550 institutions achieve student success by supporting great teaching. Our faculty development solutions will help you build a culture of great teaching. Let’s connect to talk about how partnering with us will boost retention, empower faculty in the classroom, and build the foundation of student success upon which you can execute your strategic vision.
