College of Innovation and Design Resources: Investing in Us

Through a series of credit-bearing, academic classes, Investing in Us offers a professional development and personal growth program at no cost to those whose primary role at East Texas A&M University is faculty, adjunct faculty, or staff. The program promotes a supportive environment for employees seeking to learn, grow, and thrive in their careers. Investing in Us seeks to invest the university's significant and relevant academic knowledge and experiences into its faculty and staff, which will best position them to build on their strengths, talents, and skills and invest them back into serving students at East Texas A&M University.

Fall 2026 Second Subterm

One-Credit-Hour Classes (seven Weeks)

Quick Facts

• Staff and faculty are eligible to register at no cost for one, one-credit-hour Fall 2026 second subterm class.
• Courses are graded S/U (Successful/Unsuccessful) and do not impact GPA.

HHPK 497 Gentle Yoga, Relaxation & Us

• Meets: 10/26/2026 through 12/11/2026
• Mondays, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• NHS 164
• Instructor: Lauren Rhodes
• For staff and faculty.
• Face-to-face class in Commerce.

This course is a beginner-friendly yoga class designed to help you stretch and relax with the support of props like chairs, straps, and blocks. This class is perfect for those new to yoga or anyone looking to deepen their flexibility and reduce tension in a safe, supportive environment.

HHPK 497 Pickleball for Us

• Meets: 10/26/2026 through 12/11/2026
• Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• NHS 175
• Instructor: Sandra Kimbrough
• For staff and faculty.
• Face-to-face class in Commerce.

Want to learn pickleball? This fun, beginner-friendly class, co-facilitated by Sandra Kimbrough and Kent Montgomery, will teach you the basics, including rules, scoring, and simple techniques to get you playing with confidence. Enjoy easy-to-follow instruction, plenty of practice, and a great way to meet other faculty and staff while learning the game.

US 497 Nutrition Decoded for Us

• Meets: 10/26/2026 through 12/11/2026
• Instructor: Rebecca Bridgefarmer
• For staff and faculty, alongside alumni and community members.
• Asynchronous, web-based class.

Nutrition Decoded is a practical 7-week online course designed to help you cut through nutrition misinformation, understand food labels and marketing, navigate grocery stores and restaurants, evaluate popular nutrition trends, and make informed choices that work for your life. You'll leave with practical skills you can continue using long after the course ends.

US 497 Excel Upskilling with Us

• Meets: 10/26/2026 through 12/11/2026
• Instructor: Jacinta Dyck
• For staff and faculty.
• Asynchronous, web-based class.

Are you comfortable with Excel's basics but ready to unlock its full potential? This hands-on workshop is designed for faculty and staff who want to enhance their Excel skills for more efficient data management, analysis, and reporting. Explore intermediate formulas, data organization tools, dynamic tables, and powerful PivotTables. Learn to visualize data with charts, apply conditional formatting, and leverage productivity shortcuts. Whether you're managing grade sheets or tracking department budgets, this class will help you work smarter with Excel and gain confidence tackling real-world data challenges.

US 597 Academic Writing for Us

• Meets: 10/26/2026 through 12/11/2026
• Tuesdays, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
• Zoom
• Instructor: Salvatore Attardo
• For faculty.
• Synchronous class on Zoom.
• *Must have completed bachelor's degree.

A support group for academic writers. Weekly accountability meetings, tips, and discussions on topics related to academic writing (getting over procrastination and impostor syndrome; planning and getting started on a major publication; wrapping up a research paper or major report, etc.). Open to any faculty, but particularly recommended for junior faculty. You can take the course again if you were in it in prior terms.

US 597 Inspiring Inquiry and Lifelong Learning in Your Online Course & Us

(Shared ACUE Micro-Credential Class — Online Teaching Pathway)

• Instructor: Melissa Arrambide
• For faculty and instructional staff teaching at the University.
• Asynchronous web-based class.
• *Must have completed bachelor's degree.

Boost student motivation, clarify complex ideas, and cultivate independent learners who actively engage with online course material and take ownership of their success. Completing this course is one step toward earning ACUE’s Effective Teaching Certification with an emphasis on web-based instruction, endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE). Or, the course can serve as a dynamic stand-alone experience.

Notes about ACUE Micro-Credential Classes: Faculty and Instructional Staff Opportunity

Please note that all ACUE classes are now offered for registration through Investing in Us. The ACUE offerings through Investing in Us are individual course opportunities that may be completed separately and combined over time to build toward ACUE’s nationally recognized Effective Teaching Certification.

Faculty and instructional staff may pursue certification through pathways focused on online teaching practices, face-to-face teaching practices, or a combination of micro-credentials across both areas. Each pathway includes four ACUE micro-credentials that can be completed over multiple semesters through Investing in Us.

A recent independent study at a Texas institution found that instructors who earned ACUE’s Effective Teaching Certification outperformed non-certified peers across all student success measures examined.

Faculty and Staff: Receive an Investing in Us Leader Designation

Complete at least four different one-credit-hour Investing in Us classes at East Texas A&M University, serve as a model for continuous development and growth, and receive an Investing in Us Leader Designation with your name displayed on our website for all of our campus community to see!

Investing in Us Leaders

Course Archives

Contact Us

• Investing in Us
• [email protected]