Mission
The Center for Teaching Excellence supports Boston College instructors throughout their careers to create engaging and inclusive learning environments for their students. We invite instructors to explore new pedagogical and technological approaches in their pursuit of teaching excellence. We partner with faculty and graduate student instructors to foster a culture of reflective teaching and to cultivate a supportive community of scholars through collaboration and informed conversation about teaching.
In support of this mission, we embrace the following values:
We serve. We seek to be a reliable source of support for faculty and all others committed to BC’s mission of student learning and formation. We strive to help faculty find joy and meaning in their teaching throughout their careers and to celebrate instructors’ efforts “ever to excel” in the classroom.
We learn. We approach our work from a place of critical curiosity — intentionally and continually working to expand our understanding of teaching and learning in higher education and in the Jesuit tradition — both through our engagement with the larger research literature as well as through our own systematic investigation into the impacts of our work.
We lead. We advocate to improve the teaching and learning environment at Boston College, and we inspire faculty to think in new and creative ways about their teaching.
We connect. We recognize the power of human connection in our work and seek to bridge the gaps that limit the potential of BC’s teaching community. We help individuals find community, we translate across silos, and we actively seek out partnerships with others supporting teaching at BC.
We adapt. We shape our approach in response to the needs of the institution and to the particular contexts presented by the students, instructors, departments, and schools that we work with and work for.
We practice inclusion. We intentionally and actively work to attend to questions of diversity, justice, and accessibility in all that we do, and we engage in regular self-reflection about the role we play in cultivating a welcoming and inclusive environment at BC.
Annual Report
Read about the CTE's latest developments in its 2018-2019 Annual Report.
Partners
The Center for Teaching Excellence partners with a number of other offices and groups from around the University. Several of these partners are listed below, along with their major functions.
Center for Digital Innovation in Learning (CDIL)
The Center for Digital Innovation in Learning (CDIL) partners with faculty members from across the university in the design of thoughtful technology-enhanced learning experiences.
Faculty Microcomputer Resource Center (FMRC)
The FMRC is a computing think-shop run by regular faculty for regular faculty.
University Council On Teaching
The Council focuses on improving the quality of teaching and faculty/student relationships.
Academic Technology Advisory Board
The Academic Technology Advisory Board [ATAB], a committee of the Office of the Provost, is the voice of the faculty in all matters related to academic technology.
University Libraries
The University Libraries support the Boston College community in achieving distinction in research, learning, and teaching.
Information Technology Services
Information Technology Services provides secure, reliable, and integrated technology solutions in alignment with academic and administrative goals, while delivering excellence in customer service.
Media Technology Services
Media Technology Services provides a wide range of technology support and media production services for the entire University.
University Mission And Ministry
Through academics, service programs and personal reflection, the Division of University Mission and Ministry helps men and women find their deepest desire, which is at the heart of Ignatian spirituality.