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.

Register for an Investing in Us Class HERE.

FALL 2026 FIRST SUBTERM

One Hour Classes (seven weeks)

QUICK FACTS

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

ETEC 497.01W E-Portfolios & Us

• Meets: 8/31/26–10/16/26
• Instructor: Mary Joanne Dondlinger
• For staff and faculty.
• Asynchronous web-based class.

Explore the key concepts of developing an e-portfolio while learning how to leverage them as powerful tools to support and deepen learning. In this asynchronous, open-access course, participants will discover how to document, reflect on, and showcase their own work for various purposes including professional growth, promotion, and institutional awards or recognition.

HHPK 497.01E Dance for EVERY BODY & Us

• Meets: 8/31/26–10/16/26
• Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• NHS 164
• Instructor: Sandra Kimbrough
• For staff and faculty.
• Face-to-face class in Commerce.

This practical, movement-based course provides basic instruction in different dance styles, including line, folk, square, fitness, and collaborative. You do NOT need to sign up with a colleague or partner! Enjoy this time of putting down your phone, connecting with others, and learning something new while being active.

US 497.01E Supporting Students in Distress with Us

• Meets: 8/31/26–10/16/26
• Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
• Room: BA 257
• Instructors: Adam Metts and Michael Stark
• For staff and faculty.
• Face-to-face class in Commerce.

This course equips participants with practical skills to recognize common mental health concerns, identify signs of student distress, and respond effectively using evidence-informed intervention strategies. Participants will develop the knowledge and confidence to engage students in supportive conversations, respond appropriately during and after a crisis, and connect students with resources that promote recovery, resilience, and address staff/faculty compassion fatigue.

AG 497.01W Keep Your Cool: Gardening in East Texas Heat

• Meets: 8/31/26 – 10/16/26
• Instructor: Grace Ogden
• For staff and faculty, alongside alumni and community members.
• Asynchronous, web-based class.

Learn how to grow a productive garden in East Texas heat while exploring the fruits, vegetables, insects, weeds, and gardening practices that influence success. This course will showcase first-hand experiences from Twin Oaks Farm for Experiential Learning and offers new information for all audiences, from first-time to master gardeners.

US 597.01W Promoting Active Learning Online & Us

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

• Meets: 8/31/26–10/16/26
• Instructor: Melissa Arrambide
• For faculty and instructional staff teaching at the University.
• Asynchronous web-based class.
• *Must have completed bachelor's degree.

Master online teaching strategies that transform digital courses into active learning experiences with organized content, collaborative discussions, and ways for students to build connections and apply their new knowledge. Completing this course is one step toward becoming certified in ACUE’s Effective Teaching Framework 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!

US 597W.02 Creating a Productive Learning Environment & Us

(Shared ACUE Micro-Credential Class — Face-to-Face Teaching Pathway)

• Meets: 8/31/26–10/16/26
• Instructor: Elsa Villarreal
• For faculty and instructional staff teaching at the University.
• Asynchronous web-based class.
• *Must have completed bachelor's degree.

Transform your classroom into a dynamic learning community and drive lasting academic success with proven strategies focused on engagement, motivation, and meaningful feedback. Completing this course is one step toward becoming certified in ACUE’s Effective Teaching Framework with an emphasis on face-to-face instruction, endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE). Or, the course can serve as a dynamic stand-alone experience!

Notes about the above 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 Effective Teaching Practices 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 Effective Teaching certification outperformed non-certified peers across all student success measures examined. See https://acue.org/resources/blog/study-finds-acue-certified-faculty-drive-higher-student-learning-outcomes/.

Three Hour Graduate Classes (eight weeks)

QUICK FACTS

• Staff and faculty with a completed bachelor's degree are eligible to register.
• You may enroll in one three-hour graduate course, either alongside a one-hour Fall first subterm course or as a standalone opportunity.
• Graduate students register for these courses as part of their regular degree programs. Remaining seats are available at no cost, on a first-come, first-served basis, to employees whose primary role at the university is faculty or staff.
• Courses carry standard graduate workload, graduate credit, and traditional A through F letter grading, counting toward GPA.

MGT 555.01W Project Management

• Meets: 8/20/26–10/16/26
• Instructor: Gerald Burch
• For staff and faculty.
• Asynchronous web-based class.
• *Must have completed bachelor's degree.

This course is geared towards teaching students the fundamentals of project management based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge developed by the Project Management Institute. In particular, students will learn about scope, time, cost, quality, human resource, communication and procurement management and develop a comprehensive project plan accordingly.

OLT 514.01W Organization Development

• Meets: 8/20/26–10/16/26
• Instructor: Tony Lee
• For staff and faculty.
• Asynchronous web-based class.
• *Must have completed bachelor's degree.

This course familiarizes students with concepts, models, theories, and techniques for planning, facilitating, and evaluating Organization Development (OD) change efforts. Students will develop skills and competencies necessary to carry out a variety of roles and strategies for internally and externally implementing OD interventions.

Faculty and Staff: Receive an Investing in Us Leader Designation

Complete at least four different one-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]