Role: Co-creator & Co-facilitator
Institution: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Focus: Strategic learning and development initiative for faculty
Challenge
IDEAS at UMass Amherst sought to cultivate a culture of instructional innovation across disciplines, empowering faculty to explore and share creative, evidence-based teaching strategies in a collaborative format.
Our Solution
I co-designed and launched the Instructional Innovation Fellowship (IIF)—a year-long professional learning program supporting instructors committed to enhancing teaching through peer-led exchange and experimentation.
My Role
- Program Design: Co-built the fellowship structure, monthly themes, and goals grounded in adult learning theory and experiential learning practices.
- Co-Facilitation: Led the first two cohorts through monthly “Teach Meet”-style sessions promoting informal, high-impact knowledge sharing.
- Community Building: Fostered cross-disciplinary collaboration and a culture of trust, experimentation, and reflection.
- Content Creation: Developed resources, guides, and session materials to support participants and scale the model.
Impact
- Institutional Culture Shift: Sparked sustained interest in cross-campus pedagogical innovation.
- Sustainable Model: IIF became a recurring offering under the Instructional Innovation Office, growing its influence and visibility.
- Engaged Educators: Faculty reported increased confidence, collaboration, and application of new strategies in their teaching.
Key Skills Demonstrated
- Strategic L&D Design
- Program Facilitation & Evaluation
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Inclusive Community Development
- Resource Creation & Knowledge Management
