Trivitt Named Co-Director of Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center

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Julie Trivitt

Julie Trivitt knows firsthand the value of the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center. When the U of A alumna returned to the university to become a teaching associate professor of economics, she relied on the center to help her navigate challenges she faced in the classroom.

"I have attended several of the TFSC luncheons, programs and teaching camps while at the U of A. The TFSC programs have taught me about using new technology, techniques for teaching online, new ways to deal with common problems, and have been a forum to crowdsource ideas to be more effective in the classroom," she said. "There is no doubt in my mind that I am a better teacher as a result of my participation in the TFSC thus far."

Now, Trivitt will be able to give back to other faculty members after being appointed co-director of the Teaching and Faculty Support Center.

Trivitt will assume those duties in August and will be responsible for coordinating the center's events and programs along with two other co-directors. She will serve a three-year term and replace Jack Kern, whose term ends this year.

Established in 1992, the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center serves as an interactive resource for faculty, instructors and graduate teaching assistants who strive to enhance teaching and learning. Directed by U of A faculty, the center invests in faculty excellence, promotes innovation in teaching and learning and advances student success.

Events coordinated by the center include the Faculty Lunch Series, a recurring lunch meeting discussing teaching topics; Faculty Enrichment Series, sessions covering topics affecting faculty as teachers and scholars; Winter Teaching Symposium, a half-day symposium held between the fall and spring semesters; and Teaching Camp, an informal two-to-three day opportunity focusing on one or more aspects of teaching in a relaxed, offsite venue. 

Trivitt, who earned her master's and doctorate degrees from the U of A, returned to the university in 2012 as a faculty member and began utilizing the center immediately. She attended teaching camps on the differences between routine and adaptive experts, as well as the value of persistence and how a growth mindset helps students learn difficult material.  

"Both of these sessions have influenced how I structure assignments and point allocations on the syllabus. It also influences the terminology I use at times and how I try to encourage students who are frustrated in my courses," she said. "I learned a lot from TFSC, just hearing what other people had tried and what worked, and got a lot of good ideas and ways to make it my own. I want to give back and find new ways to take the best practices and help them evolve as everything else in the world changes and help us teach as well as possible."

Trivitt, who studies education reform and the impact of different educational policies, said co-directing the center was "right up [her] alley."

"Combining my teaching and research interests to figure out better approaches to teaching is an exciting opportunity," she said.

Ro Di Brezzo, vice provost for faculty affairs and previous co-director of the center, said Trvitt was a great fit to work with the center.

"The Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center is a critical piece of our faculty development efforts, and Julie Trivitt is extraordinarily qualified to serve as co-director," Di Brezzo said. "Her expertise in educational policy and her selfless attitude make her a perfect choice to co-lead this center, which has assisted thousands of faculty since its creation over 25 years ago."

Trivitt will serve alongside co-directors Donald Johnson and Lori Holyfield. Each director serves a staggered three-year term.