OHIO faculty, staff offer input on Teaching and Transformation Initiative

As part of the Dynamic Strategy LEARN pillar, Ohio University continues to advance its commitment to teaching excellence and institutional transformation through the Teaching and Transformation (T1) initiative.

The initiative is a campus-wide effort focused on strengthening learning, collaboration and long-term institutional impact.

T1 reflects a shared understanding across the University that high-quality teaching and meaningful institutional change must be addressed together. As higher education responds to evolving student needs, workforce expectations and public accountability, Ohio University has positioned T1 as a framework that connects instructional excellence with broader institutional priorities.

Over the last year, Ohio University has been partnering with the Gardner Institute to develop a T1 rating system. In August 2025, several institutions including Purdue University, Elon University and Georgetown University came together on Ohio University’s Athens campus to begin the process of establishing a framework focused on teaching, learning and organizational transformation. Participants explored common challenges and promising practices related to faculty support, student learning and sustainable change.

One key insight from the August discussion was having inward focused campus-based conversations. This approach would reinforce the importance of approaching teaching excellence as a collective, institution-wide responsibility.

Campus engagement event held in December

Building on these insights, Ohio University turned its focus inward in December through an on-campus T1 engagement designed to foster shared understanding and dialogue.

More than 40 faculty and staff members engaged in an afternoon dialogue about T1. Faculty and staff from across the University engaged in conversations about how teaching, learning and transformation intersect in both academic and co-curricular spaces.

University College Dean Dave Nguyen, who organized both events, shared “The August conversation with peer institutions helped sharpen our thinking, but the December engagement confirmed Ohio University’s distinctive commitment to learning together and adapting those insights to our own context in thoughtful, intentional ways.”

The conversation focused on some reactions people had to potential indicators that could be incorporated into a rating system. Though no formal indicators were adopted as part of the conversation, the generative conversation among participants supported the need for recognizing institutions doing this work well. Participants emphasized the value of continued conversation, reflection and evidence-informed practice as T1 moves forward.

Together, the August peer engagement and December campus convening highlight T1 as an ongoing process rather than a one-time initiative. As the work continues, T1 will serve as a shared framework for supporting faculty and staff, strengthening learning environments and advancing Ohio University’s mission.