CTE Liaisons

The CTE Liaisons program is a new initiative designed to empower faculty to shape the future of teaching within their departments while actively engaging with CTE’s initiatives and programming.

As a CTE Liaison nominated by the Department Chair, faculty will have the opportunity to contribute to teaching excellence at SMU while receiving a stipend of up to $1,000 per semester (for up to two semesters). CTE Liaison responsibilities include:

• Spring Pedagogical Institute (SPI) Participation – Attend SPI (May) at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens to learn about CTE initiatives, share your 
  department’s pedagogical needs, and collaborate with your departmental co-liaison to develop a vision for teaching excellence.
  
• Participation in Key CTE Events – Attend the Teaching Effectiveness Symposium (August) and Spring Kickoff (January) and serve as a discussion leader, or facilitator as
  needed.
  
• Attendance at CTE Programming – Join at least four additional CTE events of your choice throughout the academic year. This will inform your professional development as well as your department collaboration on a plan for best teaching practices in your academic unit.
  
• Departmental Collaboration – Work with the other CTE Liaison in the department and the CTE to prepare a vision for teaching excellence in your department. You will present your final product to your Chair with the goal of promoting best teaching practices in the coming year. Examples of questions you may address in your vision may include, but are not limited to:
  
  • What techniques and best practices shared during the CTE events I’ve attended as a CTE Liaison would be valuable for out department to know?
    
  • What teaching methods work best for your students in beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses?
    
  • How can professors be inclusive in their teaching practices with students of different socio-economic backgrounds and make sure all students are heard and nurtured?
    
  • In what ways can AI be used as a tool to make teaching and learning more effective in your unit?
• Presentation at the Following Year’s SPI – Share lessons learned and discuss how you have implemented strategies from the program to enhance teaching in your department.

Each year, the CTE Liaisons will represent different departments. It is the goal of this program to rotate between all SMU departments every 4-5 years. If you are interested in having your department serve as a CTE Liaison, contact cte@smu.edu.

Below are the 2025-26 CTE Liaisons: