TEACHING AND LEARNING CENTERS: A STEM PERSPECTIVE ON THE IMPACT FOR AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The true pillar of quality higher education is well-trained, effective, and knowledgeable faculty who are invested in the success of their students. The discipline-specific knowledge required for entering an academic career as a STEM faculty member is mostly gained through academic graduate and post-doctoral training. However, formal preparation in the areas of teaching and mentoring are often lacking, and typically occur through observation of more senior colleagues. In reality, when it comes to teaching and mentoring, many STEM faculty members "build the plane while flying it," and mainly learn by trial and error. As all interactions between faculty and students can seriously impact student retention and success, there is a great need for faculty development opportunities in these areas. The focus of this communication is on the impact of mentor and pedagogical training at Xavier University of Louisiana from the STEM faculty perspective.