Center for Teaching & Learning

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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. Resources are available for self-service checkout in Zagier 134, and CTL is located on the first floor of Zagier (134, 101, 101A & B).


Programs & Services

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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, Moodle and WordPress, as well as other instructional technologies.

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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.

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College Teaching

External teaching resources to bookmark.

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

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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.

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Liberal Arts

Resources on the value of liberal arts and relevant careers.

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Peer Review

The CTL can provide you with recommendations, evaluations, and education on the entire peer review process.

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Plagiarism

Comprehensive information on plagiarism and how to assess it.

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Presentations: Visual Aids

Ideas for creating and improving the quality of your visual aids.

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Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

A selection of UNC Asheville SoTL Publications.


Funding Opportunities

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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

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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.

Our History & Mission


Meet Our Faculty

Katherine C. Zubko, Ph.D.

Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Director of Religious Studies, Professor of Religious Studies and Anthropology

Office: 139 Zageir Hall
Phone: 350-4560
Email: kzubko@unca.edu

Katherine C. Zubko, Ph.D.

Julia Webster

Lecturer of Mathematics; CTL Faculty Fellow 2023-26, Coordinator of 6-12 Mathematics Licensure; Coordinator of 6-12 Sciences Licensure

Office: 320 Rhoades/Robinson Hall
Phone: 232-5188
Email: jwebste2@unca.edu

Julia Webster

Stephanie O’Brien, Ph.D.

Lecturer of Mass Communication; CTL Faculty Fellow 2024-26

Office: 304 Karpen Hall
Email: sobrien@unca.edu

Office Hours:

Tuesday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Wednesday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Thursday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

And Mondays and Fridays via Zoom by appointment only; Wednesday in office; Tuesday and Thursday in office and by appointment only.

Stephanie O’Brien, Ph.D.

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:

Monday 8:30 am – 9:30 am

Wednesday 9:30 am – 10:45 am

Or by appointment

Renuka Gusain, Ph.D.

Ashley Case

Lecturer of Environmental Science; CTL Faculty Fellow 2025-27

Office: 137 Rhoades/Robinson Hall, CPO 2330
Phone: 232-5182
Email: acase1@unca.edu

Office Hours:

Monday 11:00 am – 12:15 pm

Thursday 11:20 am – 12:20 pm

Ashley Case

Ryane Prawel

Instructional Technology & LMS Specialist

Office: 101A Zageir Hall
Phone: 251-6635
Email: rprawel@unca.edu

Ryane Prawel

Andrew Hyder

Administrative Assistant

Email: ahyder@unca.edu

Office Hours:

Monday 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Tuesday 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Or by appointment

Andrew Hyder