To enhance excellence and foster innovation in teaching. PETAL is open to all new incoming faculty, both classroom and non-classroom. The program is designed to provide a space for faculty The Program for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (PETAL) is sponsored by the Provost members, regardless of their level of experience, to reflect and engage in conversations regarding good teaching practices, inclusivity, equity, and accessibility.

There may be space available in PETAL during Spring 2025 for other faculty members in addition to the new faculty. We invite any interested faculty to express their interest in participating in this program. We are starting this process early to give interested faculty members ample time to plan for it. Please note that the exact number of seats available will not be confirmed until the hiring process for new faculty is completed.

This opportunity is open to all full-time tenure-track classroom and non-classroom faculty members at any stage of their careers who wish to enhance their teaching skills.

• Duration: The 15-week program will run throughout the Spring of 2025. All participants are required to attend weekly meetings on Fridays from 12 to 3 pm.
• Format: A combination of workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects.
• Topics: Inclusive and effective teaching practices, using the whole campus as a learning lab, and more. See a copy of the 2023 Syllabus for topics covered in the program.
•  Benefits:
• Engage with a community of educators across disciplines and varying levels of experience.
• Learn about available resources and tools to be more effective in your teaching.
• Opportunity to develop as a critically reflective practitioner.
• Three (3) credit AWA.

Full-time tenure-track faculty members (classroom and non-classroom) from all disciplines are eligible to apply.

• April 8, 2024: Announcement inviting applications.
• August 15, 2024: Due date for submitting completed applications.
• September 15, 2024: Notification of acceptance
• January 24, 2025: Program launch

Interested faculty members should complete the online application by August 15, 2024.

1. Clear goals for participation
2. Willingness to engage in reflective practice and openness to feedback.
3. Commitment to collaborate and work across disciplines.
4. Plan for sharing knowledge with others.
5. Availability for weekly PETAL sessions in Spring 2025 (Fridays from 12 – 3 pm

For inquiries or additional details, please contact the Teaching and Learning Center at tlc@wcupa.edu

Please answer the questions below.

Q1: What are your specific goals for participating in the PETAL program? How do these goals align with your teaching philosophy?

Q2: Describe your participation in any initiatives or programs focused on improving teaching effectiveness. What motivated you to get involved?

Q3: Describe your participation in any initiatives or programs focused on improving teaching effectiveness. What motivated you to get involved?

Q4: Reflecting on your current teaching practices, what strategies have you found effective for supporting student success? What areas would you like to improve?

Q5: Have you received any feedback from colleagues or students that has influenced your teaching approaches? Please explain.

Q6: Describe an interdisciplinary collaboration (formal or informal) in which you have participated. What did you learn from your colleagues, and how did you learn to work well as a member of a community?

Q7: How do you plan to share insights gained from PETAL with colleagues in your department or college? How could you use your PETAL participation to have a broader impact institution-wide?

Q8: Participating in PETAL requires a commitment of approximately 5 hours per week, including 3-hour sessions on Fridays. Will you be able to attend PETAL sessions from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM every Friday during the spring semester? (Yes, No, Don’t know yet)