Latest cohort honored as State System earns national award for teaching quality

HARRISBURG, Pa. – More than 750 faculty members across Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) have participated in a nationally recognized teaching certification program since 2021 as part of a large-scale effort to support faculty in strengthening instruction and improving student learning.

PASSHE’s effort has earned national recognition. The State System recently received ACUE's "Movement Maker" award for exceptional leadership in elevating teaching quality and was the only higher education system in the nation to receive the honor this year. ACUE highlighted PASSHE’s success in this video.

PASSHE marked the milestone at a ceremony today for the latest cohort of 55 faculty members who completed ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practices certification, a rigorous research-based program focused on improving student engagement, retention and success.

“Our universities have outstanding faculty who work directly with students and are fully committed to helping them succeed,” said Chancellor Fiorentino. “They are dedicated educators who continually refine their teaching so they can provide instruction that is relevant and connected to the real world.”

“When we invest in our educators, we invest in every student they teach,” said Dr. Diana Rogers-Adkinson, senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs and chief academic officer. “Our faculty continue to adapt to the changing needs of students, and their commitment to professional development strengthens both classroom learning and the success of students across our universities.”

PASSHE launched its partnership with ACUE in 2021 and has steadily expanded participation in the 10-month certification program, which faculty complete while continuing to teach their regular courses. The research-based training provides practical strategies to help faculty design clearer, more engaging courses, support deeper learning, and improve retention and graduation.

“I love to learn, and every week, I apply what we’re learning in the ACUE training to the classes I’m teaching,” said Shannon Mrkich, director of First Year Experience at West Chester University. “I’ve been teaching online courses at West Chester University for 12 years, so continuing to grow and improve as an educator is exciting. I’ve also enjoyed connecting with the faculty at other PASSHE universities in the training. Sharing our perspectives and experiences benefits all of us and our students.”

Excellent teaching is central to PASSHE’s mission to provide a high-quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. Strong classroom instruction helps students succeed, stay on track to graduate, and develop the knowledge and problem-solving skills needed for Pennsylvania’s high-demand careers.

“This ACUE training gives faculty the practical tools to help us teach more effectively so students are prepared for real-world demands and success in their communities,” said Debra Minzola, director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program in the Breiner School of Nursing at Commonwealth University. “For example, the faculty in our graduate nurse anesthesia program now use team contracts that outline each person’s responsibilities, and everyone is held accountable. It is a tool that students will take with them and use throughout their careers.”

The award was presented at the National Higher Education Teaching Conference.

About PASSHE
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is the public university system of the commonwealth with a mission to provide a high-quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. The State System annually confers more than 20,000 degrees and has more than 800,000 living alumni, most of whom live in Pennsylvania. The State System universities are Cheyney, Commonwealth (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield), East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, PennWest (California, Clarion and Edinboro), Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities of Pennsylvania.