Welcome to the LITE Center at Westcliff University, Where Passion Meets Innovation in Teaching!

At the Learning, Innovation, and Teaching Excellence (LITE) Center, we are dedicated to fostering a vibrant culture of lifelong learning among our faculty. As the professional development branch of the Office of Faculty Affairs, the LITE Center supports instructors in developing effective teaching practices, exploring innovative instructional strategies, and enhancing the overall learning experience for students.

We believe that education is both an art and a craft. Our work focuses on supporting faculty as educators and partners in student success. Through professional development initiatives, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative learning experiences, the LITE Center helps educators refine their teaching, expand their instructional toolkit, and stay engaged with evolving approaches to teaching and learning in higher education.

In 2026, Westcliff University celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the LITE Center. Since its founding in 2016, LITE has supported faculty across the teaching lifecycle through onboarding, professional development, mentoring, and innovation in teaching practices.

Who Are We?

The LITE Center is a faculty-focused professional development unit within the Office of Faculty Affairs. Our work centers on supporting instructors throughout their teaching journey at Westcliff University. From onboarding new faculty to facilitating ongoing professional development, we provide programs and resources that promote instructional excellence and collaboration across the university community.

Our initiatives encourage faculty to exchange ideas, share best practices, and continue strengthening their teaching through reflection, innovation, and professional growth.

Empower Your Teaching Journey with LITE Center Support

• Elevate Your Professional Growth
  Participate in professional development opportunities designed to strengthen instructional skills, explore innovative teaching strategies, and support continuous growth as an educator.
• Gain Classroom Insights
  Engage in professional learning experiences that encourage reflection on teaching practices and provide opportunities for collaborative discussion with colleagues.
• Embrace Collaborative Learning
  Join a community of educators committed to excellence in teaching and learning. LITE initiatives create space for faculty to share ideas, exchange effective instructional practices, and learn from one another.
• Achieve Online Teaching Excellence
  Westcliff University offers courses in online, hybrid, and in-person formats, and the LITE Center supports faculty in developing effective strategies for teaching in these learning environments. Faculty development opportunities focus on creating engaging online discussions, designing meaningful learning activities, and supporting student engagement in virtual classrooms.

Key LITE Center Initiatives

• New Faculty Orientation (NFO)
  The New Faculty Orientation program provides newly hired instructors with a strong foundation for teaching at Westcliff University. Through this onboarding experience, faculty become familiar with university policies, teaching expectations, and effective instructional strategies that support student success. NFO helps new instructors begin their teaching journey with confidence while building connections with colleagues and the broader academic community.
• Faculty Professional Development at the LITE Center
  The LITE Center offers a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to support faculty at every stage of their teaching journey. These initiatives create opportunities for instructors to explore new teaching approaches, discuss emerging topics in higher education, and continue developing their instructional practice. Faculty development opportunities may include:
  • Faculty learning communities and collaborative discussions
  • Webinars, workshops, and other professional development sessions
  • Training related to teaching practices and course design
  • Collaboration across the university and the globe for live and asynchronous events
  • Conversations and resources focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in teaching
  • Asynchronous training available 24/7 in our professional development LMS.

  These programs create space for instructors to reflect on their teaching, exchange ideas with colleagues, learn new tools and technology, and explore new strategies that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

• CORE Peer Mentors
  The CORE Peer Mentors initiative supports faculty through peer mentorship and collaborative professional learning. Experienced instructors serve as mentors to colleagues, offering guidance, sharing instructional strategies, and fostering a culture of support and collaboration among faculty. This program strengthens connections within the teaching community and encourages the exchange of ideas that enhance teaching effectiveness.
• AI and Technology for Teaching
  The LITE Center provides faculty development opportunities focused on emerging technologies and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in higher education. These initiatives support instructors in understanding how AI tools can be used responsibly and effectively in teaching, research, and course design.
• Socratic Metric Training
  The LITE Center supports faculty training and professional learning related to Socratic Metric, helping instructors understand how the platform can be used to support critical thinking, structured assessment, and meaningful student engagement.Through training sessions and professional development activities, faculty gain practical experience integrating the tool into their courses in ways that align with Westcliff’s instructional goals.

The CAPRI™ Model : A Framework for Excellence in Teaching and Professional Development at Westcliff University

At Westcliff University, the CAPRI Model provides a framework for teaching and professional development that emphasizes learning experiences that are contextualized, applied, practical, relevant, and inclusive.

Inspired by research in adult learning and teaching effectiveness, the model encourages faculty to connect theory with practice, foster critical thinking, and design learning experiences that engage students in meaningful ways.

By embracing the CAPRI Model, faculty members develop the skills and strategies needed to deliver meaningful, inclusive, and impactful learning experiences that support student success while advancing their own professional growth.

PD to Go Newsletter Archive

Contact the LITE Center

For questions about faculty development opportunities or LITE Center initiatives, please contact: lite-pd@westcliff.edu

Join all of our initiatives and become part of Westcliff University’s tradition of teaching excellence!

At the LITE Center, we’re here to support you every step of the way!