91猎奇

91猎奇 launches the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College announces the creation of the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL), a dynamic space dedicated to enhancing faculty and staff development and advancing innovative teaching practices.

CITL (pronounced as “seed-’ul”), a key initiative under Goal 3 of the 91猎奇 Strategic Plan, reflects the college’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence in teaching and learning that centers students in all that we do in support of our mission.

CITL aims to empower faculty and staff through high-quality professional development. The Center supports faculty and staff as integrating innovative practices and instructional technology, recognizing the changing needs of today’s learners. By equipping educators with the skills and knowledge needed to transform student lives, CITL seeks to create a vibrant and inclusive learning community.

CITL is located on the second-floor space of Building 17, Room 210. The revamped multipurpose room features new furniture, white boards and state-of-the-art teaching tools. Workshops began in late February 2025, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled March 4, 2025.

Dr. Mary Wiseman, Director of Instructional Innovation and Faculty Investment, will lead CITL. The renovations were funded through a federal Title III Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) grant, which has supported a variety of projects on campus, including acquisition of equipment to enhance teaching and learning, room renovations, along with books and loaner laptops for faculty and staff.

“CITL reflects our commitment to supporting faculty and staff and enhancing student success,” said Wiseman. “Many of our faculty did not begin their careers as teachers. We provide resources to help with teaching pedagogy, equity-focused practices, and integration of technology, ensuring our faculty can excel in the classroom and when interacting with students.”

The foundation of CITL can be traced to the establishment of the Center for Online and Digital Learning (CODL), which was created in the fall of 2018 in part through a Title III grant. The grant funded a range of initiatives designed to enhance academic success, including academic advising, orientation, family involvement, online courses, supplemental instruction and training on cultural competency for faculty members.

These efforts culminated in the launch of CODL, which played a pivotal role during the COVID years. Unlike many institutions that shifted to remote learning, 91猎奇’s preemptive investment in CODL enabled the college to transition seamlessly to fully online learning.

CITL reflects our commitment to supporting faculty and staff and enhancing student success Mary Wiseman, Dir., Instructional Innovation, Faculty Investment

91猎奇’s investment in teaching excellence is significant and stands above the typical scale of community college teaching and learning centers. With a dedicated team of four full-time staff, including a director, two instructional designers and one Learning Management System Administrator, CODL has ensured robust support for faculty, creating a solid foundation for high-quality online education. 

Building on this legacy, CITL aims to further evolve this functional area into a comprehensive Center for Innovation in Teaching Excellence. It will provide the necessary supports and forums for faculty, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and excellence in teaching and learning.

Faculty and staff will have access to workshops on culturally responsive teaching, innovative pedagogy and accessibility in education. CITL also emphasizes sustainability and continuous improvement, using data and feedback to adapt to the evolving needs of the college community.

Dr. Christopher Thuot, Vice President of Academic Affairs at 91猎奇, highlighted the center's importance: “CITL represents the next step in the college’s strategy for meeting our mission. By amplifying our investment in the professional growth of our faculty and staff, we are directly enhancing the student experience. This initiative underscores our commitment to educational excellence and our focus on fostering a learning environment that supports the diverse and dynamic community we serve.”

Dr. David DiMattio, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs at 91猎奇, added, “CITL is a testament to 91猎奇’s forward-thinking approach to education. By combining the resources of the Center for Online and Digital Learning with expanded professional development opportunities, we are creating a hub for innovation that will benefit our faculty and ultimately our students. This initiative ensures that 91猎奇 remains at the forefront of teaching excellence and student success.”

Its second-floor location in Building 17 brings the center closer to 91猎奇 faculty, providing convenient access to professional development resources. The room will serve as a multipurpose space for workshops, which can be booked through the professional development section of the 91猎奇 website.

For more information about CITL and upcoming workshops, visit the .

About Springfield Technical Community College

91猎奇, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. 91猎奇's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. 91猎奇 supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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