Initiatives
We collaborate with other University units on initiatives aimed at enhancing undergraduate learning and teaching in support of Northwestern University’s strategic priorities. Below you will find some examples of initiatives that Searle has and continues to work on as a member of the Northwestern community.
Northwestern currently participates in the HLC's Open Pathway for Reaffirmation of Accreditation process, which includes both improvement and assurance components. As part of the HLC quality initiative, Northwestern University focuses on Instructor Practica in Teaching and Learning, a series of practica designed to promote excellence in teaching by addressing significant topics related to teaching and learning in higher education. Over the course of three academic years, the practica has looked to build instructor capacities related to online teaching (2020-21), inclusive teaching (2021-22), and universal design for learning (2022-23). The aims ofNorthwestern’s Instructor Practica are threefold:
- Offer a unified institutional approach to enhancing teaching and learning at Northwestern
- Cultivate approaches to teaching that are responsive to institutional and broader societal priorities
- Support instructors as they translate their new and enhanced understandings of teaching and learning into action
The Searle Center plays a key role in the fulfillment of the HLC quality initiative by working collaboratively with many units across the institution, including Academic Support and Learning Advancement, AccessibleNU, Counseling and Psychological Services, School of Professional Studies Distance Learning, Teaching and Learning Technologies, and University Libraries, in the planning, staffing, management, and evaluation of the practica.
The Searle Center is currently supporting the delivery of the third practicum on Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
By engaging in the UDL practicum, participants will:
- Reflect on the impact of the pandemic and other current events on student and instructor mental health and well-being, as related to the teaching and learning experience
- Recognize how aspects of their current course design may unintentionally exacerbate challenges faced by students
- Understand how utilizing UDL principles can reduce instructors’ need to implement individual solutions for students experiencing barriers:
- Explore ways to incorporate multiple means of representation of course material into course design to ensure all are able to access and understand key topics
- Explore ways to redesign assessments offering multiple means of expression to optimize opportunities for all students to accurately demonstrate their learning
- Explore ways to offer multiple means of engagement throughout a course to enhance all students’ motivation to learn
- Apply specific UDL practices to syllabi, Canvas sites, course materials, assessments, and learning experiences
If you have any questions, please email practicum@northwestern.edu.
The Universal Design for Learning Practicum (UDLP) is now an open educational resource!
The Searle Fellows Program is a time-honored Northwestern professional development initiative that recognizes and supports the great promise of early career faculty members who will make significant and long-term contributions to Northwestern University.
Since 1999, the Searle Fellows Program’s mission has been to cultivate a community of learning & teaching leaders at Northwestern who center equity/excellence through pedagogical experimentation, critical reflection, and joyful celebration. Over 300 faculty have completed the Searle Fellows Program since its inception.
Participation in the Searle Fellows Program is viewed favorably in tenure and promotion decisions. This enriching professional development opportunity is designed to bolster faculty efforts to showcase outstanding credentials including evidence of effective and inclusive teaching.
Applications to join the 2022-23 AY cohort of Searle Fellows are due by June 15, 2023. Any early career faculty member with a minimum of two years at Northwestern who is working towards their next career milestone is eligible to apply.
Learn more about requirements, mentors and how to apply at the Searle Fellows program page.
The recipients of the annual University Teaching Awards become Distinguished Fellows of the Searle Center for a three-year term. As professors who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in undergraduate teaching, these Distinguished Fellows are important partners to the Searle Center.
During their three years as Distinguished Fellows, these inspiring educators provide a valuable faculty perspective and advisory role in the Searle Center's development of initiatives, programs, events, and resources. In addition, they become integrated into Searle Center offerings through engagement in activities such as speaking on panels, collaborating in workshops, and amplifying the importance of teaching in public venues.