In this Inside Higher Ed article, Vice President and Associate Provost of the Institute for Excellence in Teaching & Learning and BU Virtual Wendy Colby discusses the role of academic innovation centers for teaching and learning (CTLs) within the university ecosystem.
In the evolving landscape of higher education, centers and institutes dedicated to teaching and learning can no longer be viewed as optional support units; they have become critical engines driving academic innovation at scale. Success in this mission depends on rethinking legacy structures, fostering a culture of collaboration across schools and colleges, identifying opportunities that deliver broad impact, and remaining grounded in the core principles that make teaching truly effective: clarity, engagement, reflection, inclusivity, adaptability, support and rigor.