Florida State University recently welcomed faculty and teaching assistants across campus to the second annual Provost’s Showcase of Scholarly Teaching. Hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT) in collaboration with FSU Libraries, the event celebrated the innovative and evidence-informed teaching practices that continue to make FSU a leader in student-centered education.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, the 2025 showcase highlighted the efforts of FSU’s teaching community, bringing renewed attention to building student success and enhancing students’ learning experiences both in classrooms and online.
“The showcase is an important opportunity to share, and to honor, the amazing work FSU faculty are doing in their teaching,” said Leslie Richardson, director of the CAT. “I really admire their scholarly approach, where they gather evidence of how their methods work, get feedback and make adjustments — and I think the generous spirit of teaching here is just as important. Faculty are sharing their strategies talking about what works, what they want to change, what they really want to achieve, so that all of us can learn together and create the best possible learning experiences for our students. It’s very inspiring.”
The showcase kicked off with Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies Joe O’Shea highlighting the efforts being made by faculty and staff to enhance student learning and success.
“This is a really special afternoon we can spend together, thinking about learning, teaching, community and the care we have for the students here at FSU,” O’Shea said. “I’m so grateful for you all and the dedication and hard work you put in to curating a learning environment that helps all our students excel and reach their full potential.”
This year’s event featured an expanded lineup, with 32 poster presentations and 17 roundtable discussions. Presenters included seasoned faculty and graduate teaching assistants showcasing their latest projects with posters highlighting innovations such as integrating cutting-edge research tools into course design and enhancing student engagement through impactful mentorship. The presentations offered a platform for educators to exchange ideas, ignite inspiration and connect with colleagues.
“This event provides an invaluable opportunity to share our classroom practices and learn from other faculty members,” said Leah Hollingsworth, from the Department of Mathematics. “It encourages us to brainstorm and get creative about enhancing the student experience. Without these interactions, we remain siloed in our individual fields. The chance to mix, mingle and discuss ideas is crucial for fostering innovation in our classrooms.”
During the roundtable discussions, attendees explored topics such as leveraging technology for enhanced learning environments, designing assessments that better measure student understanding and adapting teaching methods to meet the needs of today’s students.
“I get fresh ideas and like learning things I didn’t know I could do before,” said Brittany Kraft, faculty member in the Department of Biological Science. “It’s building that network of support, where we can rely on each other. Professors from different disciplines are working together for this common goal for our students. It’s an opportunity for us to put some of that information out there for people who may not know as much about educational techniques.”
FSU Provost Jim Clark closed out the showcase by celebrating the efforts being made to reinforce the spirit of collaboration at FSU.
“I really think the spirit of Florida State University is exemplified in what you all do every day in the classrooms, online and in your training and is also exemplified in the work you’ve presented here today,” Clark said.
Faculty and teaching assistants interested in presenting next year are encouraged to email pro-teaching@fsu.edu to discuss ideas or seek guidance on the application process.
For more information about Provost’s Showcase of Scholarly Teaching or the Center for the Advancement of Teaching, visit teaching.fsu.edu.