The Duncum Center Faculty Fellows Program is designed to foster cross-disciplinary discussions in instructional design, promote evidence-based practices in course development, and support the continuous improvement of ACU Online courses.
The Duncum Center has awarded its first faculty fellowship to Dr. Brian Cole, associate professor in the School of Educational Leadership. Dr. Cole’s research project is titled “Building an Equitable and Inclusive Curriculum at ACU Online.” The project includes a campus self-study with embedded training on the equity and inclusion of ACU Online’s course curriculum and key stakeholders’ experiences with it. This data will help inform areas of needed professional development of key employees who have ownership of the curriculum and are directly involved in its creation and maintenance. What is learned may also result in recommendations to revise ACU Online’s course standards and/or of the various processes relating to how courses are written and updated.
Throughout the fellowship project, the Duncum Center will work closely with Dr. Nannette Glenn, dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies (CGPS), and with Dr. Jennifer Butcher, professor in the School of Educational Leadership, director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and chair of the Diversity Action Council to ensure partnership and alignment with CGPS and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Five-Year Strategic Plan.