We are growing constantly with
new ways to serve you. The CTE
nurtures personal and professional
growth. We strive to inspire
innovative teaching practices that
benefit our diverse student body,
as well as to foster an institutional
climate that values faculty
achievement.
In addition, we provide
opportunities for collaboration
between faculty, staff and
administration.
Know that the Center for Teaching
Excellence serves as a catalyst for
a collegewide, student-centered
approach to teaching. We promote
academic excellence by providing
leadership, resources and
opportunities for collaboration.
So whether it’s the “Five Fun
Facts About Your Fellow Faculty”
or the publication of this
newsletter created as a fun way
to communicate, it’s all about
celebrating you.
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
CONSULTATIONS
Did you know that our Academic
Technology HQ offers curriculum
and instructional design support?
Contact us set up a consultation
today:
Cherylan Bacheller
[email protected]
321-433-7506
EFSC Hosts Florida Undergraduate
Research Conference
by
Dr. Janet Rubin
In February, Eastern Florida State College
welcomed the Florida Undergraduate
Research Conference (FURC) to the
Melbourne Campus. This was the first
time that a state college hosted the
event. EFSC faculty members Dr. Ashley
Spring and Scott Herber organized the
conference, while the keynote speaker was
Dr. Duane DeFreese, Executive Director of
the Indian River Lagoon Council.
FURC is one of the nation’s largest
multi-disciplinary research conferences.
This annual conference is open to
undergraduate researchers throughout
the state of Florida. To be selected,
students must submit their abstracts to
a committee. Those who are accepted
present their research in poster form.
At EFSC, there were over 400 posters
presented in one-hour sessions. Between
the poster sessions, education workshops
were also offered. Topics included how
to do research through networking,
plagiarism and how to write opening
statements. This conference provides an
opportunity for students to gain research
experience at as early as the freshman or
sophomore level, laying the foundation
for a greater chance of acceptance into
graduate school. Heber noted that one
advantage EFSC students have is their
one-on-one relationships with faculty.
Conference organizers lauded
the help they received from EFSC
student volunteers, the Foundation,
departments across campus and College
administration. While they look forward
to hosting again, Herber noted that EFSC
only can host once every five years. This
is to keep the conference exciting and
new for students, as it gives them the
opportunity to present their research at
different institutions.
In total, 700 attendees and 30 recruiters
from around the country were in
attendance. There were exhibitors
from graduate programs and other
opportunities for students engaged in
research. Major colleges and universities
were represented.
Spring and Herber were successful in
showing that EFSC is on par with any
large university. Feedback included praise
that EFSC has the ability and the facilities
to pull off a great conference. Because
we hosted the conference, EFSC has now
become the only state college to have a
voting membership with FURC.
According to Herber, “We’re on the map
now.”
CTE FAST FACTS
PLAF Funds distributed for faculty
development, professional memberships
and conferences in 2017-18:
$68,100
WORKSHOPS AND RESOURCES
The CTE is always looking for amazing
presenters to facilitate one to three-hour
faculty-led workshops on a wide variety
of topics.
If you have ideas to share, please contact
Michelle Maseman to be added to our Fall
2018/Spring 2019 workshop schedule:
[email protected]
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