Find Your Community Here
What Are You Working On?
The Vilas A. Prabhu Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) exists to cultivate excellence in teaching and learning in alignment with faculty needs. The CAE fosters and supports Millersville University's community of teacher-scholars engaged in reflective and iterative practice to increase student learning.
We would love for you to join one or more of our active communities!
You can also check out our Fall 2026 Calendar of Events and find programming to meet your needs!
“I'm energized to engage in effective teaching practices when I am able to meet with like-minded people who support each other in thinking about what it means to support students in learning.”
- CAE Session Attendee
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Book Clubs
Mind Over Monsters (Zoom)
Facilitator: Jennie Burke
Zoom link: https://millersville.zoom.us/j/97608503905
Virtual "lunch and discuss" from 12:15 PM -1:15 PM on the following Thursdays:
- Sept. 10
- Sept. 24
- Oct. 8
Stop Talking, Start Influencing (In-Person)
Facilitator: Steve Kennedy
Location: CAE; Lyle 141
Wednesdays 1:15 PM -2:15 PM on:
- Sept. 9
- Sept. 23
- Oct. 14
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Teaching & Learning
Strategies for Engaging Students in Group Work
Presenters: Josh Rea, Sarah Jackson, Marie Firestone
Date/Time: September 29th, 2-3 PM
Location: CAE; Lyle 141
How do you make group work actually work? Come hear about strategies for setting up/assigning groups, considering the types of tasks you give to groups vs. individual students, and assessing group work. We’ll discuss group work in both online and in-person courses.
Motivating & Engaging Your Students
Presenters: Erin Kraal and Doug Scott, Kutztown University Center for Engaged Learning
Time/Date: Friday, Sept. 18th 9 – 10:30 AM
Location: Stayer Multipurpose Room
The Director and Instructional Designer from Kutztown’s Center for Engaged Learning will be here to present one of their most successful sessions using their Tarot of Teaching card deck, designed to increase the interactivity in your classes! A continental breakfast is included; RSVP required. Here is a little about the session:
In this interactive workshop, you won’t just hear about the pedagogical theory of play, you’ll experience it. Together we’ll try out a dozen playful, research-informed techniques designed to spark engagement and creativity in your classroom. Each activity is something you can immediately adapt for your own teaching, regardless of discipline. Along the way, we’ll reflect on why these approaches work, how they align with theories of active learning, and how they can transform everyday moments into opportunities for deeper student connection. You’ll leave with fresh strategies, ready-to-use tools, and a renewed sense of fun in your teaching.
RSVP here by Aug 31: CAE Fall Workshop: Motivating and Engaging Your Students
Open Classroom Network
What happens when classroom doors become invitations rather than boundaries? Have you ever wished you could observe other teachers? I invite you to sign up for the Open Classroom Network, which is an opportunity to observe peers, be observed, explore different teaching approaches, and strengthen a culture of collaboration centered on student learning.
An organizational meeting will be scheduled the week of September 7th for those interested in participating.
Please RSVP here by August 31st: Open Classroom Network
BYOL Teaching Talks
Location: CAE
Times/Dates:
- Wednesday, Sept. 16
- Thursday, Oct. 22
- Thursday, Nov. 5
Join colleagues for lunch and an informal discussion about teaching. We will discuss teaching cases (short descriptions of a classroom-based dilemma) and any other pop-up topics that you bring.
Advising Luncheon
- September 22
D2L Visit
D2L Brightspace Representatives will be on campus November 18th to showcase the new Creator+ Content authoring tool coming to Millersville's Brightspace environment beginning Winter 2027. Time and location of sessions TBD.
Additional Resources: CAE Archive (Requires login)
Mind Over Monsters (Zoom)
Facilitator: Jennie Burke
Zoom link: https://millersville.zoom.us/j/97608503905
Virtual "lunch and discuss" from 12:15 PM -1:15 PM on the following Thursdays:
- Sept. 10
- Sept. 24
- Oct. 8
RSVP here by August 31: CAE Fall 2026 Book Club: Mind Over Monsters
Stop Talking, Start Influencing (In-Person)
Facilitator: Steve Kennedy
Location: CAE; Lyle 141
Wednesdays 1:15 PM -2:15 PM on:
- Sept. 9
- Sept. 23
- Oct. 14
RSVP here by August 31: CAE Fall 2026 Book Club: Stop Talking, Start Influencing
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Artificial Intelligence
Get connected to other faculty and programming about Artificial IntelligenceCritical AI Collective
The CAE is looking for faculty who are interested in participating in a cohort of folks to engage in these three actions (collective sense-making, ethical imagination, and courageous leadership) related to learning and teaching with AI. We are looking for faculty from across many disciplines who are committed teachers with divergent viewpoints on the topic of AI. Three workshops will take place in the Winter of 2027, we will attempt to apply our learning to our classrooms in the spring of 2027, and conclude by sharing what we learned in May.
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General Education
Get connected to other faculty and programming about the new Gen. Ed. program“Do We Need a Program Revision?”
Confused about how your programs are now showing up in MarAUDIT, regarding “directed coursework” and “General Education” requirements? You may need a program revision proposal! Come to the session with your questions!
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 9, 12-1 PM
Zoom: https://millersville.zoom.us/launch/jc/92898502148
“Advising Students Who Are Considering Switching to Gateway”
A hands-on session sharing strategies for MarAUDIT analysis, decision-making and process for students considering changing from Legacy to Gateway.
Date/Time: Monday, September 21, 3-4 PM
Zoom: https://millersville.zoom.us/launch/jc/92898502148
“Ask Us Anything” Gateway Gen Ed version.
Finalize your understanding of Gateway, learn the tools for advisement, or preview upcoming proposals.
Date/Time: Friday, October 2, 1-2 PM
Zoom: https://millersville.zoom.us/launch/jc/92898502148
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Pre-Tenure Community
Serving as an Academic Advisor
Location: Matisse Room, Gordinier Hall
Date/Time: Friday, Sep. 18th, 12 PM
Collecting Evidence of Teaching
Location: CAE
Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct. 21st, 10 AM
Semester Debrief
Location: CAE
Date/Time: Wednesday, Dec. 2nd, 10 AM
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Mentoring
Reach out to find a mentor or forge a new connectionMentor/Mentee Welcome
Location: TBD
Date/Time: Friday, August 28th, 12 - 1 PM
Mentor Training
Location: CAE
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 26th, 11 AM - 12 PM
Mentor Meet Up
Location: Matisse Room, Bolger Conference Center
Date/Time: Friday Oct. 2nd at 12 PM
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Chair's Circle
The Chairs' Circle is a moderately structured conversation and problem-solving space for current (and/or incoming/newly elected) department chairs. The Chairs Circle is hosted by Scott Anderson. Contact Scott.Anderson@millersville.edu if you are missing outlook invites or have need additional information.
Time/date: Wednesdays 3 PM - 4:30 PM on:
- Sept. 9
- Oct. 14
- Nov. 18
Location: CAE; Lyle 141
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Digital Accessibility
Get connected to other faculty and programming to increase course accessibilityPoint Person/Contacts: Instructional Technology
Real Time Help/Support:
- Request a consult
- IT Helpdesk Submit a Ticket
Asynchronous Supports:
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Faculty Committee
The CAE Faculty Committee consists of six faculty members (each appointed by their respective academic dean and one appointed by APSCUF) that meet monthly to provide counsel to the CAE director. The faculty committee for the 25-26 academic year includes Lexi Hutto & Colleen O'Connell (LCOB), Kim McCollum-Clark (AHSS), Jennie Burke (EDHS), Steven Kennedy (SCTE), Kristen Lawson (UC), and Greg Szczyrbak (APSCUF).
Fall 2026 meetings are scheduled for September 2 and 30, October 21, November 11, and December 9.
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CAE FAQ & Helpful Links