ACIE Meeting Minutes - October 3, 2025

Advisory Council on Instructional Excellence (ACIE)
Friday, October 3, 2025 | 3-4 p.m. (Zoom)
Minutes

Attendees: T. Bayles, J. Coons, B. Falcione, J. Ghilani, K. Heffernan, J. Hart (staff liaison), B. Keown, O. Klimova, J. Martinson, J. McCarthy (Provost & Senior Vice Chancellor), M. Meyer, M. Norman, L. Tsoukas, A. Tuttle (staff liaison), J. Radzilowicz (Interim Chair)

Guests: E. Arroyo and L. Votodian, Teaching Center

Not present: E. Votruba-Drzal

Welcome and Introductions

Lead: John Radzilowicz

The meeting started at 3:02 p.m. John welcomed both returning and new members, then introduced the Teaching Center staff present. Members shared their names, roles, and academic units.

Overview of ACIE

John offered a brief history of the Council and its role in promoting instructional excellence and innovation. He mentioned that the Innovation in Education Awards remains ACIE’s flagship initiative.

Provost’s Charge to the Council

Lead: Provost Joseph J. McCarthy

Provost McCarthy outlined priorities for the 2025–2026 academic year, emphasizing continued progress in three key areas:

1. TEACH@Pitt Initiative (Teaching Excellence and Advancement through Certification in Higher Education): Building on the success of nearly 175  participants, this multi-year professional development program (formerly the Master Teaching Certificate) will continue to expand access and scope. This year’s focus is on creating a roadmap for advancing beyond foundational training, integrating new teaching techniques, and generative AI to enhance instructional excellence.
2. Innovation in Education Awards: The upcoming award cycle will focus on translational proposals that connect research and practice, especially those centered on experiential and discipline-based learning that thoughtfully incorporate generative AI. Partnerships with the Learning Sciences Emerging Technology (LSET) Hub, including LRDC, SCI, DSAS, and the Teaching Center, will support this emphasis.
3. Assessment of Teaching: This initiative, which builds on efforts started by Provost Cudd, encourages schools to use multimodal methods to evaluate teaching effectiveness. Units will be encouraged to improve assessment practices in preparation for the next collective bargaining cycle.

Discussion: Marie Norman proposed dedicating a future meeting to reviewing TEACH@Pitt for new members. John confirmed that a full session will be scheduled.

Teaching Center Overview

Lead: John Radzilowicz

John reviewed the structure and services of the University Center for Teaching and Learning, emphasizing its robust and comprehensive faculty support system, one of the most extensive among peer institutions. He highlighted that all services are accessible to every Pitt faculty member, regardless of their rank or tenure.

Key focus areas include teaching support and consultation, professional development programs such as TEACH@Pitt, and workshops and seminars aimed at promoting instructional excellence. The Teaching Center also includes specialized units like the Center for Mentoring, which encourages national connections, and the Center for Diversity in the Curriculum, which promotes translational approaches to inclusive teaching. Additional initiatives include the Graduate Student Teaching Initiative, Incoming Faculty Orientation, New TA Orientation, Assessment of Teaching, the Open Lab (in partnership with Hillman Library), and the Testing Center (in collaboration with Disability Resources Services).

Proposed Framework: Addressing Incendiary or Harmful Comments in OMET Surveys

Lead: Lisa Votodian and Erik Arroyo

Lisa and Erik discussed plans to create a process for handling offensive or harmful comments in OMET teaching surveys, noting that there is currently no formal procedure or policy. Examples include personal attacks, discriminatory language, profanity, and biased statements. Benchmarking showed that other institutions have policies in place.

The proposed framework aims to support instructors, enhance the usefulness of teaching surveys, and maintain confidentiality for both students and faculty. OMET plans to have a process in place by the spring term of 2026 and has asked ACIE for feedback on introducing this initiative to the university. 

The discussion highlighted concerns about bias in comments, the need for clearer accountability for inappropriate responses, and the importance of student education in giving constructive feedback. Members also suggested exploring differences between in-person and digital surveys and involving student organizations to raise awareness.

Next Steps and Adjournment

The November meeting will review the Innovation in Education Awards RFP and its timeline. Members will receive the 2024 RFP for feedback and suggested revisions.

Action Items Summary

The meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.

ACIE Meeting Minutes - October 3, 2025 (PDF)