Welcome to the Center for Teaching and Academic Innovation (CTAI)!
At CTAI, we believe academic excellence at Montclair State University grows from a shared commitment to student success and to teaching that values the communities students create. We partner with faculty, staff, and academic leaders to strengthen a culture of care, curiosity, and creativity that enriches learning for all.
We support faculty through workshops, consultations, and collaborative initiatives that encourage reflection, exploration, and growth. Whether redesigning courses, integrating emerging technologies such as AI, or advancing inclusive and multimodal pedagogies, our work is grounded by the belief that teaching flourishes in community and that strong teaching shapes meaningful learning experiences.
CTAI provides resources that deepen engagement and foster innovation in teaching and learning:
- Faculty development programs and campuswide teaching and learning events
- Instructional design supports that promote teaching innovation and enhance learning outcomes
- Educational technologies that strengthen pedagogical strategies and student engagement
- Research-informed resources that advance academic innovation
We invite you to partner with us as we build learning environments that are engaging, responsive, and alive with possibility. Together, we can advance the rigor, relevance, and excellence that define a Montclair education and support the success of every student.
What We Do
Situated within The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Success and Academic Innovation, CTAI provides support to enhance and inspire innovative teaching and learning at the University, with oversight to the following areas:
Our goal is to improve accessibility by integrating innovative technology and pedagogical practices into the classroom. We aim to keep faculty informed about developments in pedagogy, technology and other areas to ensure Montclair students are prepared for success in a rapidly evolving world, strengthening the University’s academic impact and further enriching the student experience.
- Access to the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) Commons
Professional development resources for faculty to transform teaching and learning, including Certification in Effective Teaching. - Assessment and Evaluation Services
Data-informed and qualitative feedback on your teaching with support to develop personalized action items and plans for improvement. - Curricular Innovation
Interactive workshops led by expert faculty and staff to aid in the process of developing and creating innovative curricula hosted throughout the year. - Faculty Learning Communities and Communities of Practice
Supporting the work of different Faculty Learning Communities (FLC) and Communities of Practice (CoP) dedicated to faculty teaching practice. Two communities will launch soon at the University: Student Experience Community of Practice and STEM Teaching FLC. - Fellowships and Conferences
Professional development opportunities–on campus, off campus and online–offered year-round to enhance teaching, innovation and research across Montclair’s instructional community. - Peer Consultations
CTAI provides a variety of spaces in which instructors can find support to design engaging courses and to establish a creative, collaborative classroom culture, including 1:1 consultations, large peer-to-peer group meetings, roundtable discussions and more. - Support with Technology Integration
CTAI supports faculty in integrating learning technologies (e.g., Padlet, Lucid) into their classroom and navigating teaching across modalities to boost engagement and accessibility. - Workshops and Seminars
Peer- and expert-led workshops and seminars hosted throughout the year related to pedagogical best practices, assessment methodologies, learning technologies, syllabus design, inclusivity, and new scholarship. Check out our calendar of workshops for the latest events.
Across the University, our Teaching Faculty play a vital role in shaping student learning, advancing disciplinary depth, and cultivating academic community. We invite you to submit nominations for the Teaching Faculty Award, a non-monetary recognition honoring faculty whose work exemplifies excellence in teaching, instructional innovation, and meaningful mentorship. This award celebrates faculty whose teaching advances deeper disciplinary engagement, richer pedagogy, and sustained impact on student learning, while elevating institutional recognition of influential teaching practices across the University.
This award recognizes Teaching Faculty whose teaching has had a sustained impact on student learning and academic community across three interconnected areas. We invite you to review the call and consider colleagues whose work reflects the spirit and purpose of this award:
- Teaching Excellence and Student Learning
A sustained record of pedagogical effectiveness and inclusive instructional design that reflects thoughtful, evidence-informed practice and demonstrates clear impact on student learning and academic growth. - Instructional Innovation
Thoughtful and creative instructional approaches, including intentional use of emerging technologies, that deepen student engagement with the field and its intellectual community. - Mentorship, Reflective Practice, and Institutional Contribution
Sustained and impactful student mentorship, ongoing reflection on teaching practice, and clear alignment with the purpose of the award, contributing to a culture of teaching excellence at Montclair State University.
Nomination Process
In accordance with Section 6.5 of the Teaching Faculty Agreement, nominations are initiated at the department level and advanced to the Dean for recommendation to the Provost or designee. Nominations should include a concise statement describing the nominee’s excellence and impact, aligned with the award criteria. Detailed eligibility requirements and application materials are outlined in the full award guidelines.
The deadline to submit a nomination is Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
Award recipients will be honored publicly at the Faculty Showcase on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, and recognized through university communications. We thank you for your leadership and partnership in elevating and celebrating teaching excellence across the University.
Yanling SunAssociate Vice President, Instructional Technology & Design Services973-655-4091suny@montclair.edu
- Email:
- ctai@montclair.edu