Faculty Institute Explores Innovative Teaching Methods, Emerging Technologies

Bowie State University faculty and staff began the 2026-27 academic year by exploring innovative approaches to teaching, emerging technologies and strategies to support student success during the annual Faculty Institute Aug. 17-20 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center.

Hosted and facilitated by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), the four-day professional development institute brought teaching faculty from across the university together to collaborate, share ideas and prepare for the new academic year.

The institute opened with President Aminta H. Breaux's State of the University address, during which she highlighted achievements from the 2025-26 academic year and outlined her vision for the year ahead through the university's Boldly Forward Strategic Plan.

Dr. Breaux identified several priorities for 2026-27 and beyond, including preserving Bowie State's legacy as Maryland's first Historically Black institution, advancing academic excellence, expanding curricular and co-curricular opportunities, developing new programs and partnerships, strengthening financial sustainability and ensuring the university's long-term viability.

Her priorities include:

• Preserve Bowie State University's lasting legacy as the first Historically Black institution in Maryland.
• Continue to build academic excellence.
• Create curricular and co-curricular opportunities that support and engage 21st-century learners.
• Encourage and support the diversity of learners enrolled at Bowie State.
• Create new partnerships in local and global communities.

Following Dr. Breaux's address, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Guy-Alain Amoussou introduced the inaugural Retention Summit, which was incorporated into the Faculty Institute to encourage faculty and staff to identify innovative ways to support students from enrollment through graduation.

Dr. Gaye Acikdilli, associate professor in the Department of Management, Marketing & Public Administration, shared her perspective on how the summit's discussions could inform classroom instruction.

"The most beneficial activity was discussing and developing retention ideas in small groups. Among the concerns raised about students were academic unpreparedness, financial strain, social engagement, and support for dealing with issues that create stress. The challenge remains proactively identifying students who may need support when they need it, and what may increase their likelihood of persisting and succeeding."

Provost Amoussou emphasized that student retention is a university wide responsibility.

"It is not just an issue of Academic Affairs or the Division of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs; all staff need to work collaboratively for the sake of student success and meet students where they are."

The remainder of the first day included college and department meetings, giving faculty opportunities to discuss priorities within their respective academic areas.

The following days focused on professional development sessions designed to introduce innovative teaching techniques and address emerging topics in higher education.

Faculty participated in sessions covering artificial intelligence, podcasting, research, intellectual property and academic advising best practices. The sessions gave space for faculty to explore new technologies and approaches that could enhance instruction and better meet the needs of today's students.

CETL Director Dr. Eva B. Garin led the CETL Fellows team in developing the institute's sessions. The team included Dr. Antonia Charles-Strowbridge from the College of Education; Dr. Jayne Cubbage from the College of Arts & Sciences; Dr. Michael Guess from the College of Professional Studies; Dr. Rand Obeidat from the College of Business; and Ogechi Chieke, Adobe CETL.

The CETL Fellows were supported by administrative assistants Aleighsha Mitchell and Tatia Pack as they designed sessions addressing the current needs of students and faculty.

Garin emphasized the broader purpose behind the annual institute.

"Organizing the annual Faculty Institute is a labor of love. My team and I strive to stay on top of the latest research on higher education teaching best practices. Ensuring that Bowie State faculty are at the peak of their capabilities is significant for them to provide top-tier instruction to our students."

The institute also addressed the broader higher education landscape through a presentation from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) leadership team on federal policies affecting colleges and universities.

Harry L. Williams, Ed.D., president and CEO; Sean Burns, general counsel and vice president of government relations; and Victor Santos, associate vice president of government relations discussed federal funding, HBCU concerns, infrastructure and research funding.

The 2026 Faculty Institute also marked a significant milestone for Garin, who is concluding her 15-year tenure as director of CETL.

During her time with the center, Garin created opportunities for teaching faculty to connect across disciplines, exchange ideas, explore emerging practices and strengthen avenues for student success. Her dedication to research was the impetus for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning  (SoTL) in partnership with Adobe to support faculty research and presentation opportunities to acquire mini-grants. She also implemented workshops and training sessions designed to help faculty grow as educators, researchers and collaborators.

Garin said she's proud of what has been accomplished during her tenure.

"We've transformed CETL, because it now means so much to students. I want them to have high-caliber learning experiences as they move through their educational careers. I say 'we,' as I do not do it alone. Serving as the director has reinforced my commitment to the craft of higher education pedagogy and being a bridge to innovation. I leave CETL in good hands and know it will continue to flourish for Bowie State faculty and students as an institution of growth."

The Faculty Institute provided faculty and staff with an opportunity to reflect on the university's priorities, collaborate across disciplines and explore new approaches to teaching and student engagement.

As Bowie State begins the 2026-27 academic year, the Faculty Institute underscores the university's commitment to equipping faculty with the tools, knowledge and collaborative support needed to help students thrive.