Center for Educational Excellence Celebrates 25 Years

In 1999, a three-person faculty group identified a need for a dedicated center to uplift USD’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. From there, representatives from all academic units, along with a graduate student in SOLES, established what was then known as the Committee for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, or CET&L. The program became a “Center” in 2000, and in 2007 was renamed the Center for Educational Excellence (CEE). 

Today, the CEE is guided by a cross-campus advisory board of faculty and a dedicated team of staff members who serve faculty across all academic disciplines and schools. Through workshops, confidential consultations, grants, guest speakers, communities of practice, a bi-weekly e-newsletter and other engagement opportunities, the CEE creates spaces for faculty learning, sharing and growth. 

“As a close-knit Catholic university committed to the liberal arts, it is essential that we explore practices to enhance teaching and support student learning.” said CEE Director Regina Dixon Reeves, PhD. “The CEE creates a community of educators who support the personal and professional needs of faculty members, and help set them up for success in the classroom and beyond.”  

Over the past 25 years, the CEE has moved buildings three times and extended its work through new programs and community-building initiatives. During the 2024-25 academic year alone, the CEE served 532 participants through over 60 different opportunities and events. 

Additionally, the CEE has expanded its scope to include a Non-Tenure Track Faculty Liaison, currently led by David Miller, PhD, an Equity Liaison, currently led by T.J. Tallie, PhD.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the CEE, faculty members shared anonymous reflections about how the CEE has impacted their work, teaching and connections to USD.

“(The) CEE was so helpful for building community during the pandemic, especially since I was a new faculty member who hadn't really met many people outside of my department yet,” said one faculty member. 

"The CEE was a space of belonging for me when I first came to USD,” said another. “I was firmly a sage on the stage until I got to USD and learned that wasn't going to cut it with USD students (or my department!). The CEE helped me get tenure and inspired me to continue growing!"

In addition, the CEE honored 10 faculty with a 25th Anniversary CEE Legacy Award for advancing the legacy of the center through impactful teaching, inclusive community building, and ongoing innovation – carrying forward the vision and leadership that have shaped 25 years of meaningful work at USD. The honorees were nominated by the USD community and included:

• Dr. Carole Huston (CAS: Communications), founding CEE director

• Dr. Sandra Sgoutas-Emch (CAS: Neuroscience, Cognition and Behavior), former CEE director

• Dr. Lisa Nunn (CAS: Sociology), former CEE director

• Dr. T.J. Tallie (CAS: History)

• Dr. David Miller (CAS: History)

• Dr. Jillian Tullis (CAS: Communications)

• Dr. Amanda Ruiz (CAS: Mathematics)

• Dr. Carlton Floyd (CAS: English)

• Dr. Kevin Guerrieri (CAS: Languages, Cultures and Literatures)

• Dr. Suzanne Stolz (SOLES: Learning and Teaching)