Pew FTLC - Strong Start Teaching Institute
Description
The earner of this badge participated in a two-day Strong Start Teaching Institute which focuses faculty attention on best practices for engaging students in their first year undergraduate courses. Over two days, they will have explored resources and examples around four themes: clarity of academic expectations, fostering a sense of belonging (at GVSU and in our classrooms), familiarity with available student resources, and active learning strategies that promote student engagement, motivation, and achievement.
The Institute begins with a modest amount of pre-work, including an interactive learning module and several short readings. The in-seat time is spent in large-group discussions and small-group exercises, modeling learning activities to apply to GVSU classrooms. Following the session, participants will have the opportunity for a follow-up individual consultation to review syllabi, course materials, and/or Blackboard sites.
Silver Level Criteria
Participate in the two-day Strong Start Teaching Institute and complete an individual consultation with a Pew FTLC consultant. We are interested in hearing how you are incorporating content from the Institute into your courses or course plans. No deadline.
Gold Level Criteria
Complete the silver badge and share content you created with the Pew FTLC. This content could be from a conference, peer reviewed article, delivered workshop, or other relevant material that was created. No deadline.
Coordinator
Issued in 2026