🍂 Fall's finally here, with cooler air and those gorgeous golden leaves making campus feel extra cozy. We hope everyone is enjoying the season's changes!
In this issue of CTL's Faculty Forward Newsletter, you'll find engaging ways to boost your teaching. Join us for the Course Design Institute in January or May to build inclusive syllabi and assignments using research-backed strategies, all in a supportive, collegial setting. Learn how to apply for our Teaching Allocation Grants, Teaching Excellence Awards, and Golden Paw Certification (for online instructors) this spring. We're also excited to introduce Beth Schiffer, CTL's new Advocate for Neurodiverse Learning Strategies, who's here to support all learners with tailored help. Don't miss our webinars, consultations, and drop-in hours to refresh your courses and connect with colleagues.
Thanks so much for all you do to make UNM a vibrant and supportive learning community. We're grateful for your dedication!
In this issue:
- Course Design Institute
- Golden Paw Certification: Apply for Spring 2026!
- CTL's New Advocate for Neurodiverse Learning Strategies
- Embedded Tutor Application Form
- Upcoming CTL Opportunities
- Scheduled Consultations and Drop-in Hours (Open Labs)
- Teaching Allocation Grants
- Teacher of the Year Awards '25–'26 Call for Nominations
- New Instructor Support Website
- UNM Faculty Lightning Lounge
Course Design Institute
Join fellow UNM instructors for a 1-day institute based on the principles of "Backward Design" to identify the knowledge and skills you want students to gain. Get a head-start on constructing inclusive syllabi and assignments, learn research-based approaches on how to best facilitate student learning, and experience a supportive, collegial environment focused on professional development.
- Free to all UNM instructors (includes PTIs, staff who instruct, graduate student teachers, and branch campus faculty)
- Enrollment is limited to 25 participants — registration is required
- Refreshments and lunch will be provided
January 2026 Session
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Collaborative Teaching and Learning Building (CTLB) – Room 110
Register for the January session
May 2026 Session
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Collaborative Teaching and Learning Building (CTLB) – Room 110
Register for the May session
Golden Paw Certification: Apply for Spring 2026!
We are pleased to announce that applications are open for the Spring 2026 UNM Golden Paw Certification. If you are interested in applying, please review the Golden Paw page for eligibility, selection criteria, and an overview of the process. Additionally, please feel free to sign up to attend our Golden Paw information session on November 11th at 12:00 PM.
In total, ten to fifteen courses will be selected for review, and if your course is selected, you will have approximately four months to work with your instructional designer to bring your course in line with the UNM Online Learning Excellence Framework. The reviews will take place starting the week of March 30, 2026.
Upon successful completion of the review process, instructors will be eligible for a $2,000 stipend. Applications are due by November 17th, and courses will be selected the week of December 1st. Please use the following form to submit your application.
CTL's New Advocate for Neurodiverse Learning Strategies
The Center for Teaching and Learning welcomes Beth A. Schiffer, M.Ed. to the CTL team! Beth serves as CTL's Advocate for Neurodiverse Learning Strategies, a new role dedicated to providing tailored support for neurodivergent learners. Beth is an experienced educational consultant and is currently pursuing a master's degree in counseling with a focus on Clinical Mental Health at UNM. She earned a master's degree in education from UNM and contributes valuable expertise as a neurodiverse student navigating higher education. Visit the CTL website to learn more about the support and services Beth provides and to book time with her.
Embedded Tutor Application Form
Those of you on the Albuquerque central campus may be interested in the shared application for embedded academic support for Spring 2026 courses. Embedded academic support includes online learning assistants, supplemental instruction leaders, and peer learning facilitators. The shared application was created in a collaboration between CTL and the College Enrichment Program. Spring 2026 proposal priority deadline: October 31, 2025. Please find more information and the application here: shared embedded tutor application.
Upcoming CTL Opportunities
- Bridging the Digital Divide: Best Practices for Reaching UNM Students
November 18, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM - An Introduction to Transparent Assignment Design
December 4, 2025, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM - Improving File Accessibility in Canvas
January 12, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM - Intro to Canvas: Key Tools to Get You Started
January 13, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Increasing Instructor and Social Presence in Online Courses
January 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM - Enhancing Your Inclusive Teaching
January 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Scheduled Consultations and Drop-in Hours (Open Labs)
We're excited to invite you to connect with our instructional designers for personalized support as you design, revise, or enhance your courses! Whether you're building a new course, refreshing materials, or exploring Canvas features, our instructional designers are here to help with best practices and evidence-based strategies.
Schedule a Consultation
You can book a 50-minute consultation to discuss course design, teaching strategies, or educational technology. Our support covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Making online content more accessible
- Getting started with Canvas
- Course copies and importing the CTL course template
Appointments are easy to schedule through our Microsoft Bookings page listed on our website, and all sessions are held via MS Teams and Outlook in MDT.
Drop-in Hours (Open Labs)
Join us during our drop-in hours for one-on-one support on Canvas or any course design topic. No appointment needed — just visit our Open Labs page and click "join" to connect with an instructional designer via Libchat during scheduled times. Please note that designers are only available during the listed hours. Starting in Spring 2026, drop-in hours will be offered during peak demand periods (August and January). We look forward to supporting your teaching and learning goals!
Teaching Allocation Grants 2025–2026
The Teaching Allocation Grants (TAG) are designed to fund projects that improve teaching practices and enhance student learning experiences. Proposals might include redesigning courses, adopting new technologies, or creating interdisciplinary learning opportunities. Proposals should clearly outline:
- The impact on student learning and engagement
- The number of students who will benefit
- A clear assessment plan to measure success
For more information on the TAG award, including previous award recipients, visit the Center for Teaching and Learning TAG page.
Teacher of the Year Awards '25–'26 Call for Nominations
The Faculty Senate Teaching Enhancement Committee (TEC) and the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) invite nominations to recognize outstanding educators at the University of New Mexico. All UNM instructors, students, and staff are encouraged to nominate lecturers, instructors, and professors for special award recognition. We encourage nominations from departments in all UNM colleges and branches. For more information on nominations, the application process, and deadlines, please visit the CTL website.
This year, the TEC and CTL are introducing an updated structure for the UNM Teaching Excellence Awards that aligns with the UNM Framework for Teaching and Learning Success. This new format highlights UNM's seven Teaching and Learning Principles and expands opportunities for educators across all campuses and contract types to be recognized for excellence in teaching.
Unlike past years, when awards were organized primarily by rank or appointment type, the new structure is principle-based, allowing educators to be recognized for specific aspects of their teaching practice. This approach encourages educators to reflect on their growth and helps build community by celebrating teaching excellence in its many forms and settings.
Learn more about our new structure: UNM Framework for Teaching and Learning Success.
To nominate an educator, please visit our awards page. The deadline for nominations is December 19, 2025. All nominees will be contacted with information about the application process by December 22, 2025. If you have questions, please write to us at teachingsupportctl@unm.edu.
The Center for Teaching and Learning offers guidance for the application process. You can also set up a consultation with the Teaching Support team (teachingsupportctl@unm.edu) to receive feedback and guidance on your materials.
New CTL Instructor Support Webpage
We are so happy to introduce our newly updated CTL Instructor Support webpage, designed to make it easier to find resources, workshops, and teaching support all in one place.
UNM Faculty Lightning Lounge
