JANUARY 29, 2025 — The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL), a binational network comprised of nearly four dozen higher education institutions, recently recognized the achievements of its members, highlighting its mission to prepare future educators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Established in 2006 and supported by the National Science Foundation, the CIRTL Network unites 45 research universities across the U.S. and Canada to advance instructional excellence and foster inclusive learning environments.
The Graduate School leads UTSA’s local CIRTL community, CIRTL@UTSA, which includes more than 86 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff and junior faculty. Through workshops, courses and projects focused on CIRTL’s core pillars — Teaching-as-Research, Learning Communities and Learning-through-Diversity — members earn nationally recognized certifications at the associate, practitioner and scholar levels. These certifications enhance members’ professional marketability and a commitment to evidence-based teaching practices.
Since joining the CIRTL Network in 2023, UTSA has awarded over 30 associate-level certifications. CIRTL’s recent celebration honored the latest associate and practitioner recipients for their accomplishments.
“Joining the CIRTL Network has allowed us to offer more high-impact resources to support our graduate and postdoctoral students in their journey toward becoming faculty,” said Ambika Mathur, UTSA senior vice provost for Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies and dean of the Graduate School. “Being part of this nationwide community of research universities strengthens our dedication to developing exceptional future STEM educators.”
The influence of CIRTL on its member’s careers has been significant, with many UTSA members transitioning into tenure-track faculty positions. CIRTL@UTSA members gain skills highly valued by hiring committees for teaching-focused academic positions including active learning, inclusive pedagogy and student-centered instruction.
“We are grateful to our local community, especially all the faculty who offered their courses to CIRTL@UTSA participants,” said Madhumita Joshi, director of postdoctoral success and director of CIRTL@UTSA. “By cultivating a strong foundation in teaching and research, CIRTL@UTSA ensures that its participants are well-prepared for academic careers and beyond that prioritize high-quality teaching and learning.”
The CIRTL network supports UTSA’s broader Graduate Student Success for Faculty Excellence Initiative, which is enriching graduate and postdoctoral education and career outcomes. By creating supportive spaces for sharing ideas, offering instructional and mentorship resources and promoting transdisciplinary teaching and learning communities through the network, UTSA is working to eliminate barriers in academia.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Covidence is a systematic & scoping review tool used to streamline the process of screening and reviewing articles. Using this software, research teams can easily import studies, perform automatic deduplication, and extract data using templates. This workshop will show attendees how to start a review in Covidence, add collaborators, and get started on screening.
Virtual (Zoom)In this workshop, attendees will be introduced to Pandas, a Python tool for working with data easily. It makes it simple to organize and analyze information when data is organized and categorized, like spreadsheets or tables.
Group Spot B, John Peace LibraryEach fall and spring semester, students convene at the Main Campus at UTSA with booths, ideas and prototypes. A crowd of judges, local organizations, students, faculty and sponsors walk around and talk to the students about their projects and ask questions. Students get the real-life experience of "pitching" their project with hopes of getting funding or support to move to the next level.
UTSA Convocation Center, Main CampusJoin the doctoral candidates for the Doctoral Conferreal Ceremony and celebrate their accomplishments.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusCelebrate the graduates from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and University College.
AlamodomeCelebrate the graduates from the College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and College of Sciences.
AlamodomeThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
