Targeted Infusion Project: Increasing Mathematics Potential by Addressing Collegiate-level Teacher Professional Development (IMPACT PD) at Tennessee State University

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) through Targeted Infusion Projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based, innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of undergraduate students enrolled at HBCUs so that they may pursue science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) graduate programs and/or careers. This project contributes to the HBCU-UP program goal of building knowledge in STEM education by reimagining the collegiate mathematics learning environment. In partnership with a nationally recognized center dedicated to ensuring access to high-quality mathematics education for all students, this project delivers a structured professional development program, coupled with an active faculty learning community is designed to build faculty capacity to effectively implement evidence-based teaching strategies. This project directly impacts the need to improve learning in undergraduate mathematics courses, which is critical to increase student competitiveness for STEM careers. This project uses an integrated approach to provide evidence-based professional development activities, which include: (1) engagement in an ongoing community of practice to establish a shared commitment to improvement; (2) progressive transfer of responsibility throughout the project timeline to build faculty capacity; and (3) active participation of faculty in the redesign of course materials and selection of workshop topics to increase the likelihood of the adoption and sustainability of the practices. The research team is partnering with experts in mathematics education to develop a transformative professional learning model for how to increase mathematics faculty awareness and adoption of, and engagement with evidence-based teaching practices through participation in a series of professional development workshops and a collaborative faculty learning community. The project introduces a novel design that packages elements of evidence-based strategies in the delivery of workshop and webinar content. This meta-teaching approach enables faculty participants to be immersed in the experience as learners while reflecting on ways to adapt and implement the strategies to be used in their own courses. This project advances the national imperative of improving undergraduate STEM education through faculty development, pedagogical enhancements, and a faculty community of practice. It is anticipated that this project will result in the development of a student body equipped with skills to enter the STEM workforce, pursue advanced degrees, or engage in science and engineering research, and bolster institutional capacity to sustain an enhanced academic infrastructure strengthened by systemic changes in mathematics instruction. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.