| |NOVEMBER 20258INSIDERIN MY OPINION Cindy Kilpatrick is the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Stephen F. Austin State University, bringing extensive experience in higher education and linguistics. With a background in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and designing linguistics courses, she transitioned to online learning and faculty development, earning certifications in Online Learning Consortium and Quality Matters. Kilpatrick's 15-year tenure at the University of Texas at Arlington allowed her to champion innovative teaching methods and interdisciplinary collaboration. In her role at Stephen F. Austin, she fosters faculty growth and improves educational practices across campus.How Classrooms Shaped the Mission to Elevate LearningMy career in education has taken me from K-12 classrooms to shaping university programs. I started with a bachelor's degree in English and teaching certification, then spent six years working directly with students in schools. However, my curiosity about how people learn languages pulled me toward linguistics. That led me to a master's program at UT El Paso, where I taught ESL courses at the university and nearby El Paso Community College. By the time I entered my doctoral program, I'd gone from teaching basic Spanish to designing full linguistics courses as an instructor.For 15 years, I rooted myself at the University of Texas at Arlington, diving into the world of higher education and online learning. A turning point came in 2015. Our Center for Distance Education offered faculty a chance to earn an Online Learning Consortium certificate--and I jumped at it. Why? Because I'd been on the other side as a student in clunky online courses where `group work' meant two people carrying the load while others ghosted. I wanted to fix that. The certification armed me with strategies to build courses where students and professors connected, even through a screen.I didn't stop there. I earned Quality Matters certifications to tackle accessibility and course design, blending theory with the reality of keeping students engaged. At the University of Texas, I joined faculty learning communities, swapping ideas with professors in everything from engineering to art. It wasn't just about sharing tools--it was about building a culture where great teaching mattered. This interdisciplinary approach eventually led to my appointment as a faculty fellow for the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence (CERTAL), expanding my impact from ESL teacher training to broader faculty development.Now, as Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Stephen F. Austin State University (starting July 2024), I'm doing what I love most--helping faculty grow. Whether refining an online course or reimagining a lecture hall strategy, I draw on every step of my journey--from grading middle school essays to leading campus-wide training--to make learning matter for everyone. BUILDING A STUDENT-CENTERED FUTURE IN EDUCATIONBy Cindy Kilpatrick, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Stephen F. Austin State University
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