A Message from the Executive Director of CTL
Dear UNM Community,
I first want to thank you for the warm welcome that I have received since arriving at UNM in September!
I am pleased to share the first edition of our newly redesigned Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) newsletter. Here we aim to provide you with timely, practical resources that support teaching excellence and student success across the UNM community.
The CTL is a comprehensive service unit comprised of approximately 30 professional staff members and over 100 student employees. Together, we collaborate with faculty, instructors, staff, and campus partners to enhance learning experiences, strengthen instructional practices, and support students in developing the skills they need to thrive.
We serve educators and learners across UNM's colleges, schools, and branch campuses. Whether you are refining your teaching materials, exploring new approaches to student engagement, or seeking support for your students' academic success, we are here to partner with you. Just as important, we value learning from you — your experiences, innovations, and insights help shape our work, and we would love to continue to hear from you.
Below, you will find highlights of programs, services, and opportunities designed to support both you and your students.
We look forward to connecting with you!
Best,
Erin
Erin Shortlidge, PhD
Executive Director, Center for Teaching and Learning
Professor of Biology
In this newsletter:
- Spring Teaching Conference April 8 (in-person in the SUB Level 3) and April 9 (Virtual Via Zoom) — Register by March 24!
- Conversations on Disability and Academia (March 13, April 10, and May 8)
- Call for Fall 2026 Golden Paw Certification (March 2 – April 20)
- Come see our updated space!
- CTL in Focus: Spring Student Conference (March 6)
- Featured CTL Resources
Mark Your Calendars for These Upcoming Events at CTL
SAVE THE DATE AND REGISTER TODAY!
UNM Spring Teaching Conference and Teaching Excellence Awards 2026
April 8 (in-person at the Student Union Building, Level 3) from 8:40 AM to 3:30 PM
April 9 (Virtual Via Zoom) from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Join the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Faculty Senate Teaching Enhancement Committee for a two-day celebration of teaching and learning at UNM. This year's sessions are organized under the theme, Constellating Our Praxis: Connection and Inspiration in Teaching and Learning at UNM, centering the seven domains of the UNM Framework for Teaching and Learning Success.
Conference Keynote – April 8 at 12:00 PM (In-Person and Virtual Via Zoom)
The conference keynote luncheon features a talk by Marissa Greenberg, PhD, UNM Presidential Teaching Fellow (2025–2027), DiCE Special Advisor on Disability Affairs, and Associate Professor of English. Under the title, Making My Way as a Sick Academic, Dr. Greenberg shares how chronic illness impacted her approaches to teaching, scholarship, and advocacy, with the common denominator being connection — finding it, creating it, sharing it.
Teaching Excellence Awards – April 8 (In-Person) from 4:00–6:00 PM in SUB Ballroom C
Day 1 of the conference culminates in the annual Teaching Excellence Awards Ceremony, which celebrates work aligned with the seven practice domains of the UNM Framework for Teaching and Learning Success.
Register today! For questions, email: teachingsupportctl@unm.edu
Conversations on Disability and Academia
What: Join fellow faculty with disabilities in conversation about topics related to academic identity, experience, and goals for a more inclusive university.
When: Fridays March 13, April 10, and May 8 from 12:00–1:30 PM MT on Zoom (link provided upon registration). Not able to stay for the entire time? No problem. Feel free to join for discussions on short readings (TBA, 12:00–12:50 PM) or for listening circles (1:00–1:30 PM) focused on issues such as disclosure and accommodation, educating colleagues and supervisors, and building coalition across disability communities.
Who: All Lobos educators with disabilities, led by Dr. Marissa Greenberg (UNM Presidential Teaching Fellow, DiCE Special Advisor on Disability Affairs, and Associate Professor of English).
Why: Find connection and community with academic colleagues with a range of disabilities! And help design the future of disability inclusion at UNM.
Register today! If you have questions, please contact Marissa at marissag@unm.edu. You may also let Marissa know if you prefer not to receive Outlook invitations for this series.
Apply for Fall 2026 Golden Paw Certification
Attention online instructors! Applications for the Fall 2026 UNM Golden Paw Certification are open March 2 – April 20, 2026!
This semester, 10–15 courses will be selected for review. If your course is selected, you will collaborate with your instructional designer to align your course with the UNM Online Learning Excellence Framework. Course reviews for Fall 2026 courses will take place starting the week of March 30, 2026.
Faculty whose courses successfully complete the review will receive a $2,000 stipend in recognition of their achievement.
Interested in applying? Visit CTL's Golden Paw Info page to review eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and a full overview of the process. The application link will be posted on our website March 2nd.
Come See Our Updated Space!
We're excited to unveil our newly remodeled tutoring and workshop space on the third floor of Zimmerman Library! With new cozy seating and a variety of collaborative work areas, our refreshed center is designed to help students feel inspired, supported, and ready to learn. Come see the new space designed with our learners in mind.
The large, movable tables are perfect for collaborating on group projects.
Study booths provide a cozy space for students to chat and work on homework.
The new, flexible seating invites student collaboration and creativity.
CTL in Focus: Spring Student Conference
Each spring semester, the CTL hosts a student conference for student staff at learning centers across New Mexico. This year's conference will take place on March 6, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the UNM Student Union Building (SUB). It is a great professional development opportunity for our student staff! Student employees and guest participants share their experiences and best practices in peer education, fostering connections, and supporting student success.
Featured CTL Resources For All of Our Campus Community
How We Can Support Your Students
Your students might benefit from our services
CTL services for undergraduate students can be accessed Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Fridays from 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM. Online tutoring hours and other support services are available outside of regular hours. Please see the CTL website for more information on subject-specific support, online tutoring hours, locations, and other support services we offer for students.
You can apply for Fall 2026 Embedded Services in your courses
The Embedded Services application for Fall 2026 will be sent to faculty at the beginning of March. Faculty are encouraged to apply for student support in their courses through one of the embedded support services: Online Learning Assistants, Peer Learning Facilitators, or Supplemental Instructors. Please contact Stephanie Sanchez at stephs@unm.edu with any questions.
CTL Offers Comprehensive Graduate Support
Workshops and Presentations
We host workshops every week on a variety of topics. Graduate students can sign up on our website. We are happy to collaborate with you to provide topical workshops or presentations tailored to your courses or student groups — for example: workshops on academic writing, time management, citations and plagiarism, etc.
Writing Support
We host writing camps and retreats designed to support students in making significant progress towards writing and/or research projects. Each semester we do an overnight writing retreat at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge and a weekend retreat at a county Open Space park, free of charge for graduate students. Encourage your students to sign up on our website.
How We Support Instructors and Staff
1:1 Consultations
We're excited to invite you to connect with our team 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 teaching support consultants and instructional designers are here to help with best practices and evidence-based strategies.
- For help with face-to-face courses: Schedule a 1:1 consultation with a teaching support consultant
- For help with online or web-enhanced courses and course design topics: Schedule a 1:1 consultation with an instructional designer
Professional Development
Online Course: Charting a Path to Accessible Digital Content
Join colleagues across campus in exploring how to design digital learning materials that meet new accessibility standards — and support every learner's success. This is a three-week, self-paced course with an optional synchronous Zoom session, conceived as a support for people creating digital instructional materials in light of the new ADA Title II guidelines on digital accessibility. You will retain access to the materials and resources in the course indefinitely and can revisit the course as needed. Register for upcoming sessions!
Online Course: Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching Online
A minimum of five times per year, we offer an Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching Online course. This is a 6-week intensive course for instructors who are teaching online — open to all experience levels. UNM instructors get a chance to experience an online course as a student (an invaluable experience) while learning more about our LMS and designing an effective online course. Register for our upcoming session that begins March 23.
Stay in the Loop
If you would like to join our listserv and receive semi-regular updates on CTL and our offerings, please sign up here.
Congratulations! You reached the end of this newsletter! You deserve a reward. Please enjoy this live camera of New Mexican Grey Wolves.
Please take care and do not hesitate to contact us: ctl@unm.edu