by Rebecca Hightower
Dr. Keith Pacholl, history professor at the University of West Georgia, has been selected as one of 12 Fellows for the 2014-2015 Governor's Teaching Fellows Program. As one of 12 faculty members from institutions of higher education across Georgia, he was selected after a highly competitive application and selection process.
The Governor's Teaching Fellows Program is sponsored by the Institute of Higher Education and the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Georgia. The program was established by former Governor Zell Miller in 1995 to provide Georgia's higher education faculty with the opportunity to develop important teaching skills through participation in six three-day symposia held over the academic year while also engaging in instructional improvement projects on their home campus. Over 75 different disciplines, professions and teaching areas have been represented, and Fellows have come from more than 45 public and private institutions throughout the state.
"Dr. Pacholl is one of the finest teachers in a department that takes great pride in the quality of its teaching. He excels in traditional face-to-face classes and is the history department's leader in developing online courses as well,” says Dr. Steve Goodson, professor and chair of the history department. “He is never satisfied to rest on his laurels but always strives to be the best that he can be. Not surprisingly, his students adore him!”
"I am very honored to have been selected for the program. When I first heard about the Governor's Teaching Fellows Program, I initially didn't intend to apply for it because I figured there would be more qualified candidates. But the program has so much to offer that I thought I would give it a try,” explains Dr. Pacholl.
According to the University of Georgia's Institute of Higher Education's website, to be selected for the program, candidates are chosen on the basis of their teaching experiences, their interests in continuing instructional and professional development, their abilities to make a positive impact on their own campuses and strong commitments by their home institutions.
Dr. Pacholl states that he has benefitted from UWG’s continued commitment to teaching, including excellent opportunities offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning, and plans to share what he learns with others who are also interested in pedagogy. He is particularly interested in online learning and the concept of inquiry-guided learning to expand student engagement in his courses.
“There are two things I hope to gain from this experience,” says Dr. Pacholl, “First, I want to learn about the cutting-edge instructional practices that are taking place in universities today. The program brings together experts from the field that share their best practices, and I am eager to see what they have to offer. Second, I want to share what I learn with others at UWG. I love teaching and I am excited over the new directions and innovations that are offered through the program. I can't wait for it to begin in September.”
To learn more about the Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program, including information on how to apply, go to http://ihe.uga.edu/programs/governors-teaching-fellows.
