History and Mission

History

In 1992 a resolution of the Academic Senate (#RS-92-106) recommended the establishment of a center for the enhancement of teaching, recognizing that faculty professional development programs and activities encompass five broad areas:

1. Research, scholarly activities, and creative endeavors
2. Curriculum development
3. Instructional skills development and pedagogy
4. Community development
5. Institutional development

In 2005, responding to increased demand for training and support in academic technology on our campus, the former Center for the Enhancement of Teaching was reorganized into two units: one unit merged AV/ITV with technology training and support and is now operating under the name Academic Technology. The second unit, now operating under the name The Center for Teaching and Faculty Development, has a renewed mission to support all faculty and continue the broad mission embraced by the original resolution of the Academic Senate. In early 2006, an associate dean was appointed to head the new department.

Mission

The mission of The Center for Teaching and Faculty Development is simple: support and serve the faculty of San Francisco State University, not only in their roles as educators and scholars, but in their lives as human beings. Through a broad range of diverse programs, personalized support services, and the continued development of new opportunities for growth, the Center is dedicated to promoting best practices in pedagogy and serving the needs of SF State's outstanding teachers.

The Center is actively expanding its program of services offered to faculty to support classroom pedagogy and will continue to collaborate with other departments and units across campus to offer workshops, demonstrations, and forums related supporting faculty in their teaching, scholarship and service. In addition, the threefold mission of the Center—supporting all faculty at all stages of their careers in their roles as teachers, as scholars and professionals, and as persons—recognizes the wide diversity of opportunities, challenges and responsibilities those general areas imply.