A decade of supporting student success

The Teaching and Learning Fair will mark its 10th anniversary March 21-23 with a number of special events and guest speakers highlighting the University’s overall goal of generating student success. Organized by the Center for Faculty Excellence, the annual event is an opportunity to share best practices and hear from leaders in the field of higher education.

The agenda includes guest speaker and renowned educational thinker Dr. Vincent Tinto, a panel of past BGSU presidents Sidney Ribeau and Carol Cartwright and current President Mary Ellen Mazey, and presentations by BGSU faculty and staff on teaching and learning strategies for promoting student success.

Tinto, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University and the former chair of the Higher Education program there, is known worldwide for his research on retaining students. His research has focused on ensuring student success in a college environment, and his first book, “Leaving College,” is widely regarded as a classic on student retention. 

Designed specifically to address BGSU and its circumstances, Tinto’s talk on “Institution-wide Strategies for Student Success” will begin at 2 p.m. March 21 in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. A free luncheon following his talk is available to the first 400 registrants.

According to Tinto, “The first year of college is a critical year for student development. Students are learning a range of skills and a capacity to learn.” He will also share insights into fostering a sense of belonging, which he believes is critical for students. 

Tinto has said about his work with universities: “What affects my work is what happens after I leave,” in the hope that listeners will find real insights and tactics that they can apply in their own classrooms and institutional policies.

Following Tinto’s talk, the Presidents’ Panel on “Leading Institutions of Higher Education: Preparing for Change” will take place in the ballroom at 3:30 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. Presidents Mazey, Cartwright and Ribeau will share their experiences leading BGSU and give insight into the transformative changes occurring in higher education today. The panel will be moderated by 1966 alumnus Leon Bibb, news anchor and former BGSU trustee. The event will close with a reception at 4:45 p.m. 

The next two days of the fair will feature interactive workshops and panel discussions with BGSU faculty offering practical tips for effective teaching and learning.