A CIRTL Change Leadership Development Program for Early Career Educators to Advance Inclusive STEM Teaching and Learning: Lessons Learned from an NSF-Funded Pilot
Rachel Kennison, University of California-Los Angeles
Kelly Clark, Johns Hopkins University
Lucas Hill, University of Wisconsin-Madison
L.J. McElravy, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Due to significant efforts in teaching professional development through initiatives like the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL), graduate students (GS) and postdoctoral scholars (PS) are increasingly being trained to support all learners using inclusive, evidence-based teaching (EBT) practices. However, a critical gap remains: GS/PS rarely have opportunities to develop inclusive change leadership skills in higher education. This is particularly consequential for those eager to advance inclusive teaching but lack the leadership skills to effectively drive meaningful change. Moreover, for those entering institutions where EBT is not widely embraced, the absence of preparation can lead to feelings of isolation and limited support as they navigate their careers.
The Change Leadership Development Program (CLDP) is an exciting initiative launched by the CIRTL Network and funded by NSF-IUSE. The CLDP empowers GS/PS to understand and contribute to departmental and institutional systemic change to strengthen and transform STEM undergraduate education.
The CLDP is informed by principles from three theoretical perspectives: 1) Systems theory, which asserts that change in complex organizations must consider multiple organizational levels, and guides our strategy to emphasize leadership preparation as a lever for institutional change; 2) Socialization theory, as applied to future faculty, posits that learning is enhanced by a supportive learning community and professional development can be a key mechanism for shaping professional identity; and 3) Identity development, a process that spans a lifetime and involves education, training, and experiences. We will describe how the CLDP prepares future educators to become change leaders in STEM teaching and learning by gaining theoretical perspectives and practical insights in three learning domains: 1) Change Leader Identity 2) Organizational Features in Higher Education, and 3) Theories of Leadership and Change.