About the Learning + Teaching Center

The UC Blue Ash Learning and Teaching Center offers faculty support, resources, and opportunities for supporting student learning. The Center works with faculty to promote scholarly teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning. We recognize that the work of faculty is multifaceted and multidisciplinary. At UC Blue Ash, the Center collaborates with faculty committees, individual faculty,  the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, and the Faculty Enrichment Center located in Langsam Library, to respond to the immediate needs of faculty as they respond to what students need.

We believe in creating professional development experiences that are tailored to the needs and experiences of the particular group of faculty attending our offerings. We work to relate theory to practice with examples from real classes, and we design our workshops and seminars to engage participants in active learning and collaboration. When participants leave one of our sessions, they leave with plans for a direct application of the content to their teaching or research. Faculty comments suggest that we have been successful in meeting these goals. We also actively value and promote scholarly teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning both in practice and as evidence of excellence in teaching and research in the reappointment, promotion, and tenure process.

The mission of the Learning and Teaching center is to provide faculty with the skills and resources to honor the college’s student-centered approach to teaching that helps faculty support students. The Learning and Teaching Center also supports faculty in realizing their scholarship and creative works through collaboration, training, and access to university resources.

The Learning and Teaching Center will be a recognized hub of innovation in pedagogy, scholarship, and creative work in service to student, faculty, and staff success.

Brenda Refaei is a Professor of English in the English and Communication Department. She earned her doctoral degree and master’s degree at the University of Cincinnati. She was inducted into Academy of Fellows for Teaching & Learning in 2011. Her research interests include effective teaching practices in writing courses, eportfolios, problem-based learning, and faculty development. She has published in College Teaching, International Journal for ePortfolio Research, International Journal of Problem Based Learning, and To Improve the Academy.

Joseph is an assistant professor in the Biology department. He earned his degree in Evolution, Ecology, and Environmental Biology from Miami University. His pedagogical research interests include metacognition, course design, and AI in education.

Emily is the Senior Instructional Designer at UC Blue Ash. She earned her bachelor degrees in mathematics and mathematics education from the University of Iowa and her master of education degree in instructional design and technology with a teaching specialization from the University of Cincinnati. Her interests include student-centered course design, objective and assessment alignment, collaborative and active learning, and AI and technology in education.

• Helene Harte: 2023-2024
• María I Ortiz: 2022-2023
• Bradford Mallory: 2013 - 2021
• Rita Kumar: 2015 - 2019
• Pam Rankey: 2012 - 2019
• Ruth Benander: 2012 - 2015
• Robin Lightner: 2007 - 2012
• Beverly Knauper: 2001 - 2007
• Ruth Benander: 2001 - 2006

Brenda Refaei, Ed.D.
Co-Director, UCBA L+TC
513-936-7164
brenda.refaei@uc.edu

Joseph Baumgartner, Ph.D.
Co-Director, UCBA L+TC
513-558-7942
baumgajp@ucmail.uc.edu