For Immediate Release
UERU Launches New Community Focused on Elevating Teaching and Learning Leadership at Research Universities
The Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities (UERU) is excited to announce the launch of its newest community, the Centers for Teaching & Learning Leaders Community (CTLLC). Officially formed in May 2025 with the selection of its steering committee, the CTLLC addresses a critical need for a collaborative network, robust knowledge-sharing, and impactful scholarship centered around the administration and influence of Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTLs) within research university settings.
Spearheading this significant initiative is Dr. Matthew Trevett-Smith, Director of the Center for Teaching & Assessment of Learning at the University of Delaware, who serves as the Chair of the CTLLC Steering Committee. Other steering committee members serve from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Stanford University, University of Texas-Austin, and the University of Virginia.
“UERU is grateful to Dr. Trevett-Smith for proposing and then leading the creation of this leadership community,” offered Steven P. Dandaneau, UERU Executive Director and Associate Provost at Colorado State University, “and to Matt and his many CTLLC colleagues for their willingness to share of their experience and expertise and to collaborate with other research university leaders in our common work on behalf of ever-strengthened undergraduate education.”
The CTLLC recognizes the diverse organizational structures within higher education and extends a welcoming invitation to leaders who serve similar functions to CTLs, even within differently organized units, as well as those from institutions with multiple CTL-like entities. By fostering a systemic approach to transforming the teaching and learning landscape among research universities, the community aims to enhance the educational experiences of undergraduate students.
CTL leaders from UERU member institutions across the globe actively participate in monthly meetings and dedicated working groups concentrating on key areas such as instructional development, professional development, and organizational development. These leaders are at the forefront of driving strategic institutional change through their influence on pan-university partnerships, the implementation of effective change interventions, and the utilization of comprehensive data collection.
Furthermore, the CTLLC provides a valuable platform for teaching and learning leaders to engage in formative feedback on each other’s initiatives, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and strong collaboration. Recognizing the crucial role of CTLs in building an evidence base for effective teaching and learning strategies, the community will also serve as a hub for contributing to educational development research and scholarship.
Adding to its initial activities, the CTLLC will host a timely and insightful panel discussion on "Current Issues in Teaching and Learning" this June during UERU's semi-annual Undergraduate Education meeting, which is being hosted this spring by MIT and Harvard. This highly anticipated panel will feature prominent CTL leaders from Stanford University, the University of Florida, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, the University of Michigan, and Yale University. The session will be moderated by Dr. Trevett-Smith from the University of Delaware.
Dr. Trevett-Smith emphasizes the inclusive nature of the community, stating, "The Centers for Teaching & Learning Leaders Community offers a vital space for those leading educational development efforts at research universities to connect, learn from one another, and collectively advance the impact of our work. We are committed to fostering a network where expertise in instructional development, professional development, and organizational development can be shared and leveraged to create meaningful change across our institutions."
The CTLLC steering committee also encourages inquiries from the broader UERU community members. Experts within the CTLLC are readily available to collaborate with UERU members and their local teaching and learning leaders, offering valuable insights, shared resources, and helpful points of contact.