About CAT+FD

CAT+FD Color Logo

See also: Annual Report | Advisory Group | Strategic Planning | Grants

Founded in 1994, the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Faculty Development (CAT+FD) is a dynamic unit that promotes Xavier University of Louisiana’s mission through the development of faculty across all career stages and areas of professional responsibility. Although our initial focus was primarily pedagogical, we now provide support for teaching, scholarship, service, and work-life balance. We do this through our comprehensive facilities and resources, creative and relevant workshops and initiatives, and expert staff. (Read our full statement of Mission, Vision and Values.) We enjoy broad participation from faculty in both colleges and all academic departments.

CAT+FD is a busy unit. We facilitate a year-long Teaching Portfolio Working Group in which faculty create a foundational collection of teaching materials. We run a Faculty Writing Group each semester that seeks to create a community of teacher-scholars supporting each other, investing in the practice of daily writing, and increasing their scholarly output. CAT+FD implements an annual mentorship education program, both in-person and online, that is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to mentor and advise undergraduate students, especially those engaged in research. We provide faculty development support for our Learning Management System (Brightspace) with custom-designed tutorials and online courses plus regular workshops and one-to-one consultations. We also organize and implement New Faculty Orientation as well as monthly brown bags to integrate our new colleagues into the Xavier community. Finally, our reach goes beyond Xavier faculty with the content in our (nationally recognized) blog and (long-running) podcast. This is not an exhaustive list of our activities. We haven't even mentioned almost weekly workshops offered throughout the semester on various topics. Hopefully this gives some indication about what keeps our four full-time and two part-time staff busy.

Contact Information

  Mailing Address
Center for the Advancement of Teaching
Xavier University of Louisiana
1 Drexel Dr Box 78
New Orleans LA 70125
  Phone/Fax
Campus extension: 7512
Off-campus: (504) 520-7512
Fax: (504) 520-7903
  E-mail
cat@xula.edu
  Location
We're on the fifth floor of the Library Resource Center (Library 534). Drop in and pay us a visit!
  Online
Main site: cat.xula.edu
Blog: CAT FooD (for thought)
Podcast: Teaching, Learning & Everything Else
Wiki: CAT+FD Wiki
Twitter: @xulacat
Facebook: @xulacat
Flickr: our photostream

Staff

Bart Everson
Creative Generalist for Faculty Development

Janice Florent
Technology Coordinator

Dr. Mark A. Gstohl
Associate Director for Programming

Dr. Elizabeth Yost Hammer
Director

Dr. Raven Jackson
Faculty-in-Residence for New Faculty Support

Dr. KiTani P. Lemieux
Teaching Working Group Leader

Carla Simmons
Administrative Specialist

Mr. Jeremy Tuman
Faculty-in-Residence for Part-Time Faculty Support

Professional Memberships

CAT+FD maintains active membership in the POD Network. CAT+FD staff and faculty may be active in a variety of professional organizations; check our staff pages for details.

History

CAT XX Timeline

Yes, we know the timeline is too small to see. Click to view a larger size.