Faculty Honored for Commitment to Evidence-Based Teaching Practices and Student Success
AAMU Celebrates Teaching Excellence at ACUE Pinning and Certificate Ceremony
By Charlotte C. Teague, Ph.D.
Alabama A&M University celebrated faculty excellence and a continued commitment to student success during its ACUE Pinning and Certificate Ceremony in the University Welcome Center.
The ceremony recognized AAMU faculty who completed rigorous professional development through the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), a national organization dedicated to strengthening higher education through evidence-based teaching practices.
Twenty-eight faculty members were recognized for earning ACUE's distinguished Certificate in Effective Teaching, with Shannon McElroy receiving the Advanced Certificate.
The ceremony highlighted an important connection between faculty development and one of the University’s most important priorities: student success.
Dr. Charlotte Teague, English and modern languages chairperson and AAMU ACUE Faculty Lead, opened the ceremony by congratulating faculty and emphasizing the significance of their accomplishment.
AAMU mathematics instructor Ashley Gordon and Dr. John Jones, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, pose with Gordon’s ACUE certificate during the ACUE Pinning and Certificate Ceremony.
“The ACUE credential represents more than the completion of professional development—it reflects a faculty member’s demonstrated commitment to effective teaching and student success,” Teague said. “By engaging in rigorous, evidence-based preparation, ACUE-credentialed faculty strengthen not only their own teaching practice but also our collective capacity to create learning environments in which students can thrive.”
Following the opening remarks, Aaron Dixon, acting assistant vice president for student success and director of Freshman Academy, presented each faculty member with the official ACUE pin, symbolizing their commitment to strengthening the craft of teaching.
“We are celebrating faculty who have made an intentional investment in the craft of teaching—and, through that investment, in the success of our students,” Dixon said.
Each honoree was also personally congratulated by Dr. John Jones, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, who joined faculty for individual photographs and recognized their commitment to continuous professional growth.
“We know that when faculty are committed to continuous improvement, it strengthens teaching culture, retention efforts, and student-success initiatives,” Jones said. “At Alabama A&M, we are committed to improving student learning and success.”
ACUE’s approach to faculty development focuses on practical, research-informed strategies that strengthen student engagement, active learning, course design, assessment, feedback and inclusive teaching.
For AAMU, the growing number of credentialed faculty represents an investment not only in professional development but also in the University’s broader efforts to improve student learning, persistence, retention and graduation.
The ceremony also reinforced a simple but important principle: student success begins in the classroom.
By investing in their own growth as educators, AAMU’s ACUE-credentialed faculty are helping strengthen a University-wide culture in which excellence in teaching and excellence in student outcomes go hand in hand.
Deborah Karahalis, instructor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages, and Dr. John Jones, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, pose with Karahalis’ ACUE certificate during the ACUE Pinning and Certificate Ceremony.
ACUE Faculty Honorees
AAMU congratulates the following faculty members on this significant professional achievement:
Dr. Ahmed Ouf
Ms. Alliyah Finley
Ms. Andrea Hawkins
Ms. Ashley Gordon
Ms. Brittany Massey
Dr. Charlotte Teague
Ms. Deborah Karahalis
Ms. DeShannon McDonald
Ms. Hannah Thomas Gossett
Mr. Jack Richter
Ms. Janae McDowell
Ms. Jody Jones
Dr. Joe Morales
Ms. Judith Hayes
Ms. Kiietti Walker-Parker
Dr. Koji Nishida
Dr. LaShawn Jackson Turner
Ms. Linda Woods
Ms. Shannon McElroy – Advanced Certificate
Dr. Sheri Jenkins Keenan
Dr. Sheri Stanley
Dr. Tamar Riley
Ms. Theresa McWilliams-Wessels
Dr. Tracey Gholston
Ms. Vonda Morrissette
Mr. Willie Diggs
Dr. Yinshu Wu
Dr. Yolanda Tone
Through their commitment to becoming stronger educators, these faculty members demonstrate an enduring commitment to the students they serve and to Alabama A&M University’s tradition of excellence in teaching, learning and student achievement.