10 UToledo Faculty Complete 2026 Course Design Institute

10 UToledo Faculty Complete 2026 Course Design Institute

The Office of the Provost is pleased to recognize 10 faculty members who successfully completed the 2026 Course Design Institute (CDI).

Participants represented a diverse range of disciplines from across The University of Toledo and spent the week engaging in an intensive professional development experience focused on evidence-based course design and student success.

They are:

• Kate Bryant, mathematics and statistics

• Katharine Fisher, mathematics and statistics

• Dr. Nurul Raihen, mathematics and statistics

• Dr. Lindsey Fresenko, physical therapy

• Cody Hill, economics

• Dr. Leslie Neyland-Brown, human services

• Erica Parish, business

• Dr. Rajab Suliman, information systems and supply chain management

• Dr. Song Qian, environmental sciences

• Dr. Paul Wise, English

The CDI is facilitated by Dr. Jeanne Kusina, director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and Dr. Alana Malik, associate vice president for assessment and accreditation. It is designed to help faculty develop new courses and strengthen existing ones through the application of evidence-based teaching practices.

Throughout the institute, participants worked collaboratively to create meaningful learning experiences that support student engagement, achievement and retention.

"Effective teaching begins with intentional course design," said Dr. Kusina. "The faculty who participate in CDI demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to their students by investing time in the thoughtful development of their courses. Their work helps create engaging learning experiences that support student success and strengthen the educational mission of our University."

The institute provides faculty with dedicated time, expert guidance and opportunities for collaboration as they examine the relationship between course design, teaching effectiveness and student learning.

The Course Design Institute is one of UToledo's signature faculty development programs and reflects the University's commitment to teaching excellence and continuous improvement in student learning.