Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching

Mission

The mission of the LSUS Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) is to foster a culture of teaching excellence by championing high-impact practices and evidence-based active learning. CELT is dedicated to supporting faculty and staff professional development, advancing equity and student engagement, and promoting transformative educational experiences across all disciplines—aligned with the LSUS Quality Enhancement Plan and the university’s strategic vision for academic excellence and student success.

Vision

The vision of CELT is for LSUS to be recognized as a regional and national leader in transformative teaching and learning, where high-impact practices and active learning are seamlessly integrated across all disciplines. CELT aspires to foster an inclusive educational environment in which equitable and exceptional learning experiences empower every student to achieve their highest potential, drive academic innovation, and set new standards of excellence in higher education. 

Contact CELT at CELT@lsus.edu

CELT Leadership Team

Lonnie McCray, PhD

Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Office: AD 243
Phone: 318-795-5925
lonnie.mccray@lsus.edu
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Joyce Farrow, PhD

Chair of the Department of Education
Office: BE 348C
Phone: 318-797-5040
joyce.farrow@lsus.edu
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LSUS Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) Advisory Committee Charter

I. Name
LSUS Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) Advisory Committee

II. Mission Statement
The mission of the CELT Advisory Committee is to champion a culture of teaching excellence at LSUS by advancing the use of high-impact practices (HIPs) and promoting professional development in active learning best practices. The committee supports faculty and staff in implementing evidence-based strategies that foster student engagement, equity, and deep learning across all disciplines, in direct alignment with the LSUS Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and the university’s strategic plan.

III. Vision Statement
The vision of the CELT Advisory Committee is for LSUS to be recognized as a leader in transformative teaching and learning, where high-impact practices and active learning are embedded throughout the curriculum, ensuring equitable and exceptional educational experiences for all students. The committee seeks to advance institutional goals of student success, academic excellence, and faculty development as outlined in the LSUS strategic plan.

IV. Purpose and Responsibilities
The Advisory Committee is established to:

- Advise CELT leadership on strategic priorities related to the integration and assessment of high-impact practices and active learning, ensuring alignment with the LSUS QEP and strategic plan2.

- Guide the development and delivery of professional development opportunities focused on HIPs and evidence-based active learning strategies for faculty and instructional staff, supporting the QEP’s emphasis on faculty training and continuous improvement.

- Facilitate collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and administration to promote and share best practices in high-impact and active learning.

- Review and assess the effectiveness of CELT initiatives, including HIPs and active learning programs, and recommend improvements based on data and stakeholder feedback, as called for in the QEP’s data-driven assessment cycle.

- Advocate for the professional development needs of faculty and instructional staff, with an emphasis on inclusive and innovative teaching practices.

- Support efforts to create student-centered learning environments that leverage HIPs to close equity gaps and improve student retention, engagement, and achievement, in accordance with institutional strategic priorities.

V. Membership

To ensure broad representation and effective guidance, the Advisory Committee should include:

VI. Organizational Structure

VII. Meetings

- The committee will meet at least once per semester, with additional meetings scheduled as necessary to address ongoing projects or urgent matters.

VIII. Reporting

- The Advisory Committee will provide an annual report to CELT leadership and the LSUS administration, summarizing activities, outcomes, and recommendations for the coming year, with a focus on the advancement of HIPs, active learning, and alignment with the QEP and strategic plan.

This charter is a living document and may be revised by majority vote of the committee in consultation with CELT leadership to ensure ongoing relevance and effectiveness.

CELT Advisory Committee Members:

Helen Wise, Associate Provost, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Scott Hardwick, Associate Vice Chancellor , Information Technology

Lonnie McCray, Executive Director of Curriculum &  Instruction

Joyce Farrow, Director of CELT

Rhonda Failey, Director of Online Learning

Adrienne Davis, Meauxmentum Scholar, Instructor Kinesiology and Health Science

Melinda Cassel,Meauxmentum Scholar, Instructor Mathematics

Rogers Martin, Instructor Mathematics

Laura Meiki, Assistant Professor History and Social Sciences

Yang Xaun, Assistant Professor Economics and Finance

Vonny Salim, Assistant Professor, Biology

Celeste Leeds-Laliberte, First-Year Experience Librarian

Patrick Butler, Director of Research & Instruction Services

Michael Anderson, Director of Academic Advising

FS Instructors: Juanita Paul, Wenqi Zeng

Students:  to be named