Center for Teaching & Learning
Welcome to the Center for Teaching and Learning
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) supports faculty as teachers, scholars, and lifelong learners through professional development opportunities including learning circles, workshops, monthly presentations, new faculty programs, SoTL grants, faculty learning communities, and individual consultations. CTL promotes evidence-based teaching strategies, innovative instructional technologies, academic rigor, and student success while maintaining a library of resources on higher education, pedagogy, instructional technology, and faculty development. Self-service checkout and the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) are both located on the second floor of Karpen Hall in Suite 114.
Programs & Services
First Thursdays
First Thursdays are monthly lunchtime gatherings focused on different aspects of teaching and learning and are open to all faculty. Topics of conversation are based on faculty needs and current issues and vary from month to month.
Learning Circles
Learning circles are groups of 6-12 participants who meet to discuss topics or books consistent with the mission of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Open to faculty and staff, groups typically meet on a regular schedule for 3-6 sessions over the course of a semester.
Individual Consultation and Peer Observation Requests
Any faculty member is welcome to schedule a confidential, individual consultation with the CTL Director or Faculty Fellows. Professors at any stage of their careers can benefit from open discussion and reflection about their teaching experiences.
Instructional Technology
Instructional Technology provides one-on-one consultation, phone and email question and response, and periodic workshops. Specific support is available for UNC Asheville’s learning management system – Canvas and WordPress as well as other instructional technologies.
Faculty Learning Communities
Faculty learning communities (FLCs) provide an opportunity for a multidisciplinary group of 6-12 faculty to work together over an extended period of time on a project of mutual interest.
College Teaching
External teaching resources to bookmark.
Online Teaching Support
To support one of the provost’s initiatives on teaching effective courses in online modalities, the CTL is offering two different opportunities as part of an Online Teaching Enhancement Program.
Faculty Fellows: Two-year positions for faculty interested in learning about the field of educational development and contributing to ongoing programming and consultation activities at the CTL. See the most recent program description and application here; applications for this program are typically due in April.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Grants: The SoTL grants program aims to support teams of 2-4 full-time faculty members with a shared question about the impact of a new teaching practice, course redesign, or curricular innovation on student learning. Find more information and application information here.
Summer Workshops: We welcome faculty with expertise in specialized areas of pedagogy (e.g., contemplative pedagogy, strategies for enhancing student success, inclusive pedagogy) or our curriculum (e.g., first-year seminar, diversity-intensive courses, Humanities) to propose a summer workshop. See the most recent program description and application here; applications are typically due in early March.
The CTL Library: The CTL has over 300 pedagogy books available for any community member to check out. If interested in borrowing a book from the CTL, please visit ZAG 134 for an easy self-checkout process. Find more about the available books here or they can be found in the Ramsey Library search feature.
Resources
Artificial Intelligence
The Center for Teaching and Learning is here to support you as you navigate the new and rapidly evolving landscape of AI in the classroom and as we prepare our students to engage with AI tools ethically and creatively.
Career Readiness
Building career readiness skills into your courses will help your students understand how their learning within their coursework and major translates into various career paths.
Liberal Arts
Resources on the value of liberal arts and relevant careers.
Peer Review
The CTL can provide you with recommendations, evaluations, and education on the entire peer review process.
Presentations: Visual Aids
Ideas for creating and improving the quality of your visual aids.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
A selection of UNC Asheville SoTL Publications.
Plagiarism
Comprehensive information on plagiarism and how to assess it.
Canvas and WordPress Help Sites
Funding Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
On-Campus Professional Development Proposals
CTL funding may be available for faculty wishing to pursue on-campus professional development opportunities (e.g., bringing in a speaker on a teaching-related topic, organizing a pedagogy conference, facilitating a writing group). See the funding criteria and application here.
Interested in other sources of funding, e.g., for classes, scholarship, service learning or travel? See Funding Sources for Faculty.
Our History & Mission
Our History & Mission
The Center for Teaching and Learning has supported UNC Asheville faculty for over three decades, offering resources, programs, and community to help educators grow in their craft. Whether you’re exploring new teaching strategies, integrating technology into your courses, or connecting with colleagues, the CTL is here to help you thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Meet Our Faculty
Paige Ambord, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Office: Zageir 215
Phone: (828) 250-2366
Email: pambord@unca.edu
Caitlin Brez, Ph.D.
QEP Co-Director and Associate Professor of Psychology
Office: 226 Delany Hall
Phone: 250-3855
Email: cbrez@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Tuesday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Wednesday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Rachel Dorsey, Ph.D.
Instructional Designer (AI Focus)
Office: 114C Karpen Hall
Phone: 255-7094
Email: rdorsey2@unca.edu
Renuka Gusain, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary; International Studies and Humanities; HUM 214 Coordinator; CTL Faculty Fellow 2025-27
Office: 216 Zeis Hall
Phone: 250-3952
Email: rgusain@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm or by appointment
Ryane Prawel, M.A.
Instructional Technology & LMS Admin
Office: 114B Karpen Hall
Phone: 251-6635
Email: rprawel@unca.edu
Katherine C. Zubko, Ph.D.
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning; Professor of Religious Studies and Anthropology
Office: 114E Karpen Hall
Phone: 350-4560
Email: kzubko@unca.edu
