Nearly 100 faculty at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, have honed their skills and approaches to teaching online, equipping them with the perspectives and strategies that help students thrive in online and hybrid courses.

Beginning in summer 2020, professors became students as part of an immersive and collaborative community of practice, hosted by the Office of Online Learning (OOL) and the Teaching & Learning Center (TLC), culminating in the Certificate in Online Teaching Excellence. To date, 97 faculty have earned certification.

Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings, Interim Provost Zoe Locklear and Associate Provost Scott Billingsley congratulated the certified faculty during a virtual celebration on Dec. 2. During the celebration, certified faculty shared how they were impacted by the program. They gained new perspectives, learned how to use creative and innovative tools, and focused on meeting students’ needs and expectations.

“I am so proud of the online training and learning we were able to provide to faculty members during a time when it was so needed and grateful for those who took the time to complete this certificate program,” Cummings said.

“All things are possible if people work together, and Dr. Nino and his entire team of the Office of Online Learning have put forth an incredible effort the make these resources available to ensure we provide the very best high-quality learning experience for our students.”

During the celebration, seven attendees–Dorea Bonneau, Elliott Hollifield, Si Ahn Mehng, Daniel Parisian, Nicolas Negrin Pereira, Michael Spivey and Joseph Van Hassel–won raffle prizes.

“Our goal is to shift the online learning culture on campus, and faculty are an essential part of this process,” said Miko Nino, director of Online Learning. “In this program, faculty members not only explore instructional technologies, but they also master how learning works and the strategies that enhance online learning. It’s fascinating to see the journey and growth of these faculty members throughout the certificate.”

Their commitment to professional development in online teaching and learning is crucial for supporting students and colleagues alike and assuring academic resilience. “Now that they’re trained, we have leaders and mentors in online teaching and learning in just about every department on campus,” said Scott Hicks, TLC director. “They can help their colleagues build courses that help students do well in online classes.”

During the difficulties of COVID-19, their skills in online teaching and learning will help make sure that UNCP faculty can keep teaching, no matter what happens. “With their skills in online teaching, they can design their classes to keep going, even if face to face classes can’t meet or if students are quarantined or sick,” Hicks said.

As the pandemic continues, the Office of Online Learning continues to open its virtual doors to faculty. Nino and his team–Instructional Designer Terry Locklear, Technology Support Analyst Gene Deese, Administrative Support Associate Valarie Deese, and student assistant Brandon Wallace–continue to make themselves available as a resource and guide for faculty.

In addition to consultation and virtual office hours, OOL hosts a weekly professional development series on their YouTube channel, an expanding repository of much-needed resources to faculty who are not accustomed to teaching totally or partly online.

Nino believes it was his team’s quick response that led to a smooth transition for many professors and such a high interest in the Certificate in Online Teaching Excellence. “The team’s ability to adapt and be flexible, combined with their love of UNCP and determination to support our community during this unprecedented time, has shown our campus with the right support, they can succeed in a virtual environment,” Nino said.

A video featuring remarks by Cummings and celebrating faculty certified in 2020 is available here: https://vimeo.com/469102373