Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship

The Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship fosters intellectual engagement across the curriculum through evidence-based programs and services that increase collaboration, communication, and community to promote enhanced student learning.

We strive to be on the cutting-edge of education trends and innovation, allowing for our faculty members to develop professionally and our students to learn from educators who have the support needed to create impactful learning environments. We work with all members of the Springfield College community to provide empirically-validated teaching and learning strategies that enhance the student experience.

How do we do this?

Facilitate innovations in teaching strategies and approaches to foster effective student learning
Showcase faculty work in and out of the classroom and promote opportunities for leadership
Connect with the larger campus community and communities beyond the College
Provide support for faculty scholarship, including research, creative projects, and grant opportunities

Springfield College faculty at a community event — Community

Connecting with the world around us.

Faculty attend a seminar in the Learning Commons — Innovation

Excellence in teaching.

A group of faculty meeting — Scholarship

Research, creative projects, grant opportunities.

Four women sit around a large poster brainstorming ideas

We provide workshops for faculty to lead engaging learning environments.

Chris Hakala speaks to faculty at Operation Kickstart

We facilitate engaging conversation about current trends in the field.

President Mary-Beth Cooper speaks with new faculty

We host the new faculty institute each year.

Stephen Chew speaks at Springfield College

Renowned guest speakers promote faculty development.

Faculty gain opportunities to collaborate and encourage innovation in the classroom.

A keynote speaker gives a presentation to a room full of faculty at Springfield College

Faculty are able to strategically plan their classroom.

Don C. Sawyer stands before his powerpoint.

Experts from other universities are brought in to collaborate.

Faculty work with experts who provide key insights into the opportunities and challenges.

Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship

Chris Hakala, Director

"I am excited to... work with such an exceptional group of faculty and students. My hope is to turn our Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship into the premier center in the area. I believe we have all the pieces in place to do this, and our faculty and students will benefit so much from the increased conversations around excellence in pedagogy."

Read Chris Hakala's Q&A on Springfield Stories Blog

"I cannot stress how important it is for students and faculty to have the Center. If faculty do not have support, the students suffer. If students are not given space to express their needs, their learning experience is compromised. Without the Center addressing these concerns, potential for growth is constrained – for all involved." Samantha Adler, Graduate Class of 2024