Oregon educator selected to lead UNM’s Center for Teaching and Learning

Erin Shortlidge, an educator, researcher and senior administrator at Portland State University, has been selected as the next executive director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at The University of New Mexico.

Shortlidge is currently an associate professor of biology and biology education and interim vice provost for student success at Portland State University.

The selection was announced by UNM Vice Provost for Student Success Pamela Cheek and made after a national search coordinated by Isaacson, Miller.

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) executive director will lead a center that manages and directs a wide variety of initiatives, such as specialized support for undergraduate and graduate students, tutoring, peer-learning facilitators, and a variety of workshops and training for instructors. CTL is one of only a handful of such centers in the country to be designated as a Learning Center of Excellence by the National College Learning Center Association.

"Dr. Shortlidge's expertise and approach are just what we need to amplify opportunities for faculty teaching innovation and student learning support," Cheek said. "She will lead a great team at the Center for Teaching and Learning and will work with dedicated faculty, staff, and students across UNM - those who already collaborate with the Center and those who are about to discover everything it can offer."

Shortlidge earned a Ph.D. in plant biology from Portland State University in 2014, and continued on to focus on biology education research in her postdoctoral work at Arizona State University. She then returned to Portland State University to establish the Biology Education Research Group. She has since dedicated her academic career to engaging in leadership, teaching and research in ways that are both responsive and evidence-based.

She developed and taught a range of courses, from large introductory biology courses and labs to small courses on developing graduate research, to an undergraduate/graduate-level scientific teaching course. She also leads an active research group that utilizes both quantitative and qualitative research to understand best practices in teaching and learning science, as well as to democratize quality education for all STEM students.

In addition, Shortlidge develops, hosts and assesses professional development programs for graduate students and faculty to support them as they move toward integrating inclusive pedagogies and perspectives into their teaching and programming. Her experience includes working across disciplines, departments, colleges and universities on multiple grant-funded projects that aim to build training and capacity for inclusive STEM education.

In her student success role, Shortlidge leads six large units and works across campus constituents to center the student experience in curricular stewardship efforts. Additionally, she holds leadership roles in various projects that plan and actualize strategic initiatives aiming to improve the student, staff and faculty experience.

In addition to her background in the sciences and student success, she also has a background in professional dance, which influences the way in which she views teaching and learning, she said.

"I am looking forward to working with and learning from new colleagues at UNM and to contributing to the future of a thriving CTL," Shortlidge said.

Shortlidge will be transitioning into her new role at UNM beginning Aug. 11, working with CTL staff, before assuming full-time executive director duties on Sept. 1.