Creativity & Innovation Comes to Crown
We’re excited to announce that Creativity and Innovation at CC (C&I) has become a part of the Crown Center for Teaching. This alignment enhances our mission to support innovative and inclusive teaching across campus by heightening awareness of C&I programming and opportunities for engagement. C&I will maintain faculty programs such as its “Possibility Books” and “Creative Courage Cohort” while integrating its Student Facilitator Development program under the auspices of Crown’s efforts to recognize teaching across the college.
Jessica Hunter has joined Crown as Associate Director, while Kris Stanec will serve as Director of C&I. Visit Kris and Program Coordinator Madeline Brooks at the C&I office (NW corner of Cache and Weber), and find Jessica in the Crown offices in Tutt Library. As we explore the opportunities of this collaboration during the 2024-25 academic year, we welcome your participation and ideas to enhance our collective service to the College.
Opportunities Abound
Mark your calendars! Crown programming for the year will take place throughout the academic year. Formal lunch gatherings on a range of relevant topics will take place on the second Tuesday of each block. Informal breakfast conversations will take place on Thursdays following the conclusion of each block. You can find a running list of all Crown and C&I programming on our website.
A few “coachee” spots remain for Crown’s Instructional Coaching Program this upcoming year. The opportunity is open to faculty members at all levels of experience and in all divisions of the college, providing a wonderful opportunity for continued educational development in partnership with another colleague at the college. More information on the program as well as a link to sign up can be found here.
In conjunction with campus-wide efforts to explore the role of Generative Artificial Intelligence, the Crown Center has secured a coveted spot in the AAC&U’s Insititute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum. The team includes Crown Director Ryan Bañagale, Professors Cory Scott, Anne Steckenbiller, Jane Murphy, and Neena Grover, as well as Writing Center Director Chris Schact and Director of Digital Student Experience Jennifer Golightly. Please be in touch if you would like to also participate in the discussion as part of a concurrent ELC on AI.
Crown’s Educator Learning Community (ELC) program allows small groups of faculty, staff, and student educators to gather regularly around all things teaching and learning. This might be applying a new pedagogical approach, discussing a new text, or focusing on an established or emerging educational development topic. ELCs receive funding to support and enhance meetings such as lunches, snacks, books, etc. To formalize an ELC for AY24-25, email Ryan Bañagale with the name, purpose, and goals of your ELC, as well as the names of participants.
Looking Ahead
Along with all the wonderful opportunities listed here, you’ll find additional information about the Crown Center – our team members, our program and funding opportunities, and our teaching resources – on our updated website. Please check back regularly as new updates and resources emerge throughout the year!
