Austin Community College (ACC) faculty are invited to apply for the 2026-27 Teaching & Learning Academy (TLA) year-long cohort. Developed by faculty for faculty and grounded in the ACC Faculty Values, the TLA supports educators through evidence-based teaching practices, reflective learning, and instructional innovation. The program is designed to strengthen student success while creating a collaborative community where faculty can explore the scholarship, art, and passion of teaching together.

Cohort space is limited. Applications will be accepted until the cohort reaches capacity, or Friday, August 14, 2026, whichever arrives soonest.

A Year-Long Faculty Learning Experience

The TLA combines asynchronous coursework with live cohort collaboration across the academic year. Faculty participants engage in four courses focused on effective and student-centered teaching practices while connecting with colleagues from across disciplines through synchronous cohort meetings. When asked why ACC faculty should apply to the TLA, Susan Diamond, faculty lead of the Teaching & Learning Academy, said, “TLA is more than a professional development program, it is a collaborative learning community where faculty can strengthen their teaching practice while connecting with colleagues across the College.” Theresa Glenn, dean of Faculty Development and Evaluation, added that “great teaching is both an art and a commitment to lifelong learning. The TLA offers faculty an opportunity to reflect on their teaching, explore evidence-based strategies, and strengthen connections with colleagues across the College. When faculty grow together, students benefit.”

Participants will complete four courses across the academic year. Each course includes 12 hours of asynchronous online learning and a three-hour cohort meeting dedicated to faculty sharing, reflection, and collaboration. Attendance at synchronous meetings is required for successful completion of the program.

  • Teaching to the Brain (September 14-October 9, 2026)
    • Cohort Meeting: Friday, October 16, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Building a Community of Learners (October 19-November 13, 2026)
    • Cohort Meeting: Friday, November 20, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Engaging Students for Learning (February 1-26, 2027)
    • Cohort Meeting: Friday, March 5, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Assessing Students’ Learning (March 22-April 16, 2027)
    • Cohort Meeting: Friday, April 23, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

The 2026-27 cohort begins with a virtual kickoff meeting on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cohort meetings will be held synchronously online and may also include a HyFlex participation option.

Program Benefits

Faculty who successfully complete the year-long academy and participant agreement requirements will receive:

  • 15 hours of professional development credit
  • A $1,500 stipend
  • Digital badges for each completed course and overall program completion
  • Recognition as a Teaching & Learning Champion by the Chancellor and the Teaching & Learning Excellence Division (TLED)

Participants may also choose to receive 1.5 hours of Continuing Education credit for each completed course.

96% of TLA participants reported that they already are, or soon will be, using what they learned in the program to strengthen their teaching practices.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to employees with full-time or adjunct faculty classifications. Continuing Education instructors are not currently eligible to participate.

Hear From TLA Graduates

Faculty interested in learning more about the TLA experience are encouraged to watch the short highlight video below featuring TLA graduate Paul De Los Reyes, who shares how the program influenced and strengthened his teaching journey.

Past participants describe the TLA as a transformative opportunity to reflect, grow, and immediately apply new teaching strategies in their classrooms. When reflecting on their experience, graduates said:

“My students reported that many of these changes helped them in their coursework, so the benefit to students through my benefit was immediate, as well as (hopefully!) one that will continue to increase over time.”

“As a student of teaching, my learning pace has been pretty slow since I began here at ACC 15 years ago, but fortunately, TLA is changing that for me! I have learned more in these last few weeks than during my entire time teaching here!”

Apply Today!

Faculty interested in joining the 2026-27 cohort can review full program details on the application form or on the TLA web page. Applications close once the cohort reaches capacity, or Friday, August 14, 2026, whichever arrives soonest. For questions about the TLA, contact Susan Diamond at [email protected].