Creating a Culture of Inclusive Excellence: A Multi-Year Initiative at SIUE

Over the past three academic years, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) has made significant, sustained efforts to promote inclusive and accessible teaching practices across disciplines. Through a strategic combination of faculty development programming, system-wide partnerships, and evidence-based teaching certifications, SIUE has equipped educators to better serve all students. The Center for Faculty Development and Innovation has hosted a robust calendar of workshops and events focused on Universal Design for Learning, culturally responsive teaching, and inclusive course design. In partnership with SIUE's Inclusive Excellence team, the university also facilitated engagement with the national Inclusive STEM Teaching Project Massive Open Online Course, supporting faculty through local learning communities; over 30 participants earned certificates between 2022 and 2024. Additionally, beginning in summer 2023, the SIUE Office of ADEI supported faculty and staff in completing courses through the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). In the Fall of 2024, the SIU System joined this effort resulting in offering a total of 13 faculty and staff development courses at SIUE. Nearly 200 faculty and staff have completed at least one ACUE badge or certificate focused on fostering belonging on campus, inclusive learning environments, and other equity-minded pedagogies. Collectively, these efforts reflect SIUE's institutional commitment to building capacity for inclusive excellence in the classroom and beyond.