April 25, 2025
In a dedicated effort to foster collaboration among North Dakota University System (NDUS) institutions, the Mayville State Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is proud to announce its partnerships with the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation (CTLI) at the North Dakota State College of Sciences (NDSCS) and the Teaching Transformation and Development Academy (TTaDA) at the University of North Dakota (UND). These strategic collaborations aim to deliver innovative professional development opportunities that enhance teaching practices and improve learning outcomes.
Partnership Highlights
- Collaboration with NDSCS CTLI: Led collaboratively by Christine Gonnella, Instructional Design Specialist at Mayville State, and Tara Bladow, Director of CTLI at NDSCS, this partnership has already achieved notable success. Recent initiatives include a book study on Teaching with AI by José Bowen and C. Edward Watson, as well as multiple workshops focused on Blackboard Ultra — the Learning Management System utilized by both institutions. These sessions have fostered knowledge sharing and inspired innovative teaching strategies among faculty members.
- Partnership with UND TTaDA: The CTL is also excited to announce its collaboration with UND’s TTaDA, led by Lynette Krenelka, Executive Director, and supported by Anne Kelsch, Director of Faculty Development. TTaDA has generously agreed to welcome Mayville State faculty and staff to their virtual professional development sessions this semester. This partnership further expands access to high-quality training opportunities and supports lifelong learning through evidence-based practices and innovative programming.
These initiatives align with Goal 4 of the NDUS Strategic Plan: Maximizing the strengths of the unified system through collaboration and resource sharing across institutions. They also reflect the vision of Dr. Brian Huschle, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mayville State, and Dr. Lisa Karch, Vice President for Academic Affairs at NDSCS, who have championed efforts to strengthen inter-institutional partnerships.
Recognizing Faculty Contributions
Special recognition is extended to faculty members who have contributed to these efforts: Kevin Arjel (Assistant Professor, Business Division), Sarah Kallock (Assistant Professor of Education, MSU), and Jessica Woods (Program Coordinator and Welding Instructor, NDSCS). Their dedication has been instrumental in facilitating these sessions. Additional faculty members will be invited to participate as these partnerships grow.
Advancing Education at MSU Initiative
The book study is supported by a mini grant awarded to Ms. Gonnella, Mr. Arjel, and Dr. Kallock through the Advancing Education at MSU Initiative under the leadership of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Since its inception in 2017, this program has awarded over $57,000 in mini grants to promote academic innovation by supporting new relationships, research opportunities, and enhanced learning experiences.
The CTL remains committed to delivering high-quality professional development experiences that empower educators to excel in their roles. Further opportunities will be announced as these collaborations continue to evolve.
