Center for the Advancement of Teaching & Learning Annual Report 2025

From the Executive Director

Years ago, during my ministry work with children and teenagers in Jamaica, I could never have imagined the profound ripple effects of those moments we shared together. Recently, one of my "girls"—now a pastor's wife, mother, and children's church leader sent me a video that stopped me in my tracks. There she was, directing a performance with children from her church of a choral speech I taught her decades ago. She remembered every word, action, and rhythm. As I watched her pass on what she had received, I was reminded of a truth that has become the cornerstone of my leadership philosophy: "When each one reaches another, empowerment becomes a force multiplier, and that is what legacy is about.” In the YouTube video "This is what legacy looks like", I share more about this story and include the recording of the performance.

This understanding of legacy as a force multiplier has shaped not only my personal journey but also my vision for the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL). Just as my mentee is now serving the next generation the same way I served her, CATL serves as a force multiplier in education, amplifying the brilliance of individual educators to reach thousands of learners, resulting in transformative institutional and societal change.

This year's CATL retreat theme, "From Individual Containers to Organizational Alignment," marked the beginning of our strategic plan, aligned with the OneMUSC2030 strategic plan. The image at the top of our annual report captures the outcome of a collaborative and inclusive effort that transformed traditional strategic planning into a dynamic, participatory experience where every voice was heard and valued.

As I write this foreword, my heart is full of gratitude for the extraordinary leadership of Dr. Gigi Smith, who retired on July 10, 2025. Her mentorship and support created the foundation that enabled my leadership to flourish. Gigi's approach of scaffolding and empowerment exemplified the force multiplier principle, and her endorsement of our holistic approach to educational development positioned CATL for the transformative growth we've achieved. Her legacy lives on in the culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation that continues to drive our work forward.

As you read through this report, you'll see evidence of strategic leadership that transforms individual brilliance into institutional impact. Each program, each partnership, each achievement represents not just what we've accomplished, but the multiplied effect these efforts will have on the educators we serve, the learners they teach, and the patients and communities they will serve.

This is our legacy in action—each one reaching one, until we reach all. CATL will keep building on this momentum, creating innovative pathways that ensure MUSC remains at the forefront of educational excellence.

With gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead,

Julaine Fowlin
Executive Director
Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

Our Highlights

• CATL positions MUSC at the epicenter of National AI in Education Leadership: Under CATL's leadership, MUSC became a member of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in 2024, quickly establishing significant influence as Dr. Julaine Fowlin, CATL's Executive Director, was selected to serve as mentoring faculty for the AAC&U Institute on AI Pedagogy of which MUSC was also a participating institution. This strategic partnership expanded with MUSC hosting the prestigious AAC&U Symposium on AI Leadership June 12 -13, 2025, that convened nearly 200 higher education leaders nationwide. This intensive symposium equipped institutional leaders with knowledge and strategies for effectively integrating AI across academic, administrative, and strategic domains. MUSC's own Dr. Lisa Saladin, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, delivered a keynote address on evidence-based decision making, and showcased our accomplishments leading innovation, collaboration, and transformation at MUSC. The MUSC co-planning team was expertly led by Dr. Gigi Smith, Associate Provost for Education Innovation & Student Life along with Ms. Barbara Bozart, and Dr. Julaine Fowlin. This high-profile event solidified MUSC's standing as a thought leader in health sciences AI education, generating valuable institutional visibility while establishing pathways for ongoing collaboration with other institutions navigating similar challenges and opportunities.

 

C. Edward Watson, VP for Digital Innovation at AAC&U leading session on Teaching with AI: Potential in the Curricular Space

 

Leading in a Time of Innovation and Disruption Panel discussion moderated by Lynn Pasquerella, President, AAC&U

 

Symposium attendees networking

• Ms. April Heyward named Director of AI Integration and Creative Learning: As part of our continued commitment to advancing AI in education, Ms. April Heyward joined the CATL team in December 2024, as the new Director of AI Integration and Creative Learning. This newly created position was sponsored by the Office of the Provost and is a forward-thinking investment that positions MUSC at the forefront of AI integration in healthcare education while ensuring students benefit from innovative, ethically-sound AI applications throughout their academic journey.
• Advancing SoTL: Insights and Innovations with AI Conference: In collaboration with the Office of Education Innovation and Student Life, and the Office of the Provost, we hosted the annual Spring Education Conference, centered on the Scholarship of Teaching (SoTL) and Learning and the role of Artificial Intelligence in education. The event featured two invited external speakers, Ben Campbell of D2L and Dr. Aekta Shah of Salesforce, facilitated meaningful internal dialogue, and included a dynamic speaker panel. (Learn More under programs and events below)

 

Ben Campbell

VP of Solutions Engineering, D2L

 

Aekta Shah, Ph.D.

Principal Researcher, Responsible AI Team, Salesforce

Mapping MUSC's AI Education Journey

While many institutions react to AI developments, MUSC has been very strategic and purposeful about AI integration and CATL captured this through a comprehensive AI in Education Timeline visualization and blog post. This strategic infographic documents our deliberate progression from initial exploration to institutional leadership in AI integration. The timeline showcases completed milestones—including strategic partnerships, educational development initiatives, and policy formation—alongside planned advancements that will further distinguish MUSC in health sciences education. This visual has become a reference point for peer institutions seeking guidance on structured AI implementation. By mapping both achievements and future directions, CATL continues to position MUSC at the forefront of educational innovation while ensuring AI adoption advances our core mission and values.

CATL Leads the Way in Reshaping MUSC’s Continuing Education

As OneMUSC 2030 focuses on reshaping the future workforce, CATL is driving the university's position as a leader in healthcare continuing education (CE) and professional development. In collaboration with the Enterprise Program Management Office, University Procurement, Education, Innovation and Student Life, and University finance, CATL spearheaded the implementation of Modern Campus Lifelong Learning, streamlining the CE journey with a unified, learner-centric platform. The phased rollout began with the College of Dental Medicine and the College of Health Professions, which quickly experienced improved processes guided by key features such as a centralized course catalog, streamlined registration, integrated marketing tools, and robust analytics. Through CATL's visionary leadership and strategic partnerships, MUSC is now well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals.

Commencement Production: From Ceremony to Signature Experience

As members of the Commencement Committee, CATL's leadership transformed commencement into an institutional showcase through unparalleled technical excellence, with our professional multi-camera production and seamless audiovisual integration elevating the ceremony to broadcast quality. We removed traditional barriers through comprehensive accessibility features including live transcription and global livestreaming, ensuring families worldwide could share in this milestone achievement regardless of distance or ability. Through meticulous attention to detail and professional execution, the ceremony embodied MUSC's commitment to excellence. The event's impact extends well beyond the day itself through professionally captioned recordings and photography that serve as permanent, accessible documentation—creating lasting mementos for graduates while showcasing MUSC's commitment to student success for future students and other stakeholders.

By the Numbers

Innovation & Growth

New Programs & Initiatives

• AI in Education Research Program grant initiative: In April 2025, we launched the inaugural AI in Education Research Program grant initiative funded by the Office of the Provost. The program aims to drive MUSC’s AI Strategic Goals forward by supporting projects that innovate the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and prepare a future-ready, AI-competent healthcare workforce. Eight awards were given for a total of $112,946.00. Funded projects varied from AI-assisted scoping review to AI simulation for medical education.
• Foundations of Inclusive Teaching Course: In Spring 2025, we developed and launched a New professional development course-Foundations of Inclusive Teaching. This course examined how to apply the research-based Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and academic digital accessibility strategies. Participants engaged in several activities, culminating in the design and creation of a UDL-centric and digitally accessible module that could be used in a course they are teaching or plan to teach. The course also offered the opportunity for participants to earn a certified MUSC professional development certificate, with 11 individuals achieving this credential. 
• Podcast Studio: CATL recently unveiled a new podcasting studio located in ECL111. What was once a small storage closet has been transformed into a fully equipped recording space featuring a Tascam Mixcast 4 recorder. The studio can accommodate up to four participants simultaneously and includes the option to integrate audio from laptops—ideal for conducting interviews via Microsoft Teams. In addition, three compact video cameras are available for podcasters who wish to include video alongside their audio content.
• CATL staff are available to assist with the recording process and can also provide support for getting started with editing your podcast.

• Brightspace Course Template and Design Kit: In direct response to students’ feedback highlighting Brightspace course navigational challenges and inconsistencies in course design CATL strategically partnered with Alchemy to launch the transformative University Course Template & Design Kit—a student-centered approach that fundamentally reimagines course design and foster faculty efficiency. The course template follows best practices for online design in Brightspace, offering faculty and instructional designers opportunities to integrate these powerful elements into their college’s course offerings. The design kit also includes a robust set of faculty resources for effective course design and delivery. Educators now leverage an extensive suite of pedagogical resources that dramatically enhance course design and delivery, resulting in learning environments where students spend less time deciphering course structures and more time engaging with meaningful content. Initial implementation shows promising adoption across colleges with plans for expansion in the upcoming semesters.
• Student Health & Well-being Services Enhancement: In partnership with the Student Health & Well-being Care Center, CATL successfully implemented several technological advancements using Point n Click. Key achievements include iPad check-in stations in waiting rooms, streamlining the patient arrival process. We resolved critical network issues that had been impacting service delivery by working closely with Point n Click and the Network Information Solutions Team. To ensure continuous improvement, we deployed satisfaction surveys to all Student Health Services (SHS) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) visitors, enabling comprehensive data tracking and service enhancement. We also did extensive data cleanup and facilitated expanded service offerings by integrating scheduling capabilities for animal-assisted therapy programs. Additionally, we developed a comprehensive digital library containing over 200 educational documents addressing various CAPS-related issues and diagnoses, empowering students with accessible mental health resources. To enhance telehealth capabilities, we successfully transitioned providers to the Zoom platform, ensuring seamless remote consultation options. These improvements collectively demonstrate our commitment to expanding access to quality education and student care through comprehensive technology support.

Classroom Upgrades

• Mersive Solstice Fully Installed in BSB502: Recognizing that traditional classroom configurations limit collaborative learning and technological integration, CATL implemented Mersive Solstice, which allows for wireless content sharing and collaboration from any device. Mersive Solstice allows for a shift in instructor-centered environments to dynamic active learning where students actively contribute to knowledge construction rather than passively receiving information. Learn More.
• Auditorium Renovations: The Drug Discovery Auditorium and Bioengineering Auditorium received comprehensive audiovisual technology upgrades, enhancing presentation capabilities and learning experiences for both instructors and students.

Programs & Events

Advancing SoTL: Insights and Innovations with AI Conference

Our annual conference bridged critical knowledge gaps in AI-enhanced teaching by convening industry pioneers Ben Campbell (D2L) and Dr. Aekta Shah (Salesforce) with campus experts. Their insights on ethical AI implementation directly equipped faculty and staff to develop evidence-based teaching practices that prepare students for technology-rich healthcare environments. The carefully designed program—featuring targeted sessions on SoTL advancement, AI infrastructure development, and research applications. Participants left equipped to implement concrete strategies that enhance student learning outcomes across disciplines, while the interactive format, including wellness-integrated breaks led by Alicia O'Connor from MUSC Wellness Center leadership, modeled the holistic approaches we seek to instill in our educational practices. This pivotal event established MUSC as a leader in health sciences AI education while creating a sustainable community of practice that continues to generate innovative teaching approaches benefiting students throughout their academic journey.

 

Attendees taking a movement break

 

Ronnie Chatterjee air punching

 

Conference attendees working together

Book Club ‘24

In the fall, we hosted our second annual CATL book club featuring Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by J. Bowen and C. Watson. Participants gained practical AI integration strategies and built cross-disciplinary connections through our structured exploration of the book. We held six sessions and hosted co-facilitators from various departments for each session. Our sessions covered the topics of AI literacy, redesigning assignments, and policies while providing MUSC specific application of these practices. Participants accessed supplemental resources through OneHE to dive further into AI topics.

• 24 participants from all colleges and academic programs.
• Evaluations indicated 96% agreement that the book club provided opportunities to gain perspective and ideas from colleagues across colleges/departments.

Students now have an opportunity to benefit from carefully designed learning experiences that develop both subject mastery and AI literacy essential for healthcare careers, with assignments that leverage AI as a learning tool rather than viewing it as a challenge to academic integrity.

Reshaping Academic Integrity: AI-Focused Student Engagement Initiative

During Academic Integrity week CATL Partnered with the Office of Student Engagement to facilitate two sessions, Exploring the AI Frontier: A Student Perspective and Navigating Academic Integrity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Participants developed practical strategies for navigating AI tools appropriately in academic settings.. This collaborative initiative leads MUSC one step further with proactive AI ethics education, transforming potential academic integrity concerns into opportunities for developing critical professional competencies valued in healthcare settings.

Special Projects

Implementation of New Educational Technologies

Creator+ & H5P:

We implemented D2L Creator+, a powerful tool within Brightspace that enables faculty to design interactive, accessible course content with ease. Featuring a variety of H5P elements like accordions, timelines, and self-assessment activities, Creator+ enhances learner engagement and streamlines content creation. Training and adoption efforts have begun, with continued faculty development planned for the upcoming fiscal year to expand its use across programs.

FeedbackFruits CBE Pilot:

In partnership with the College of Nursing we launched a pilot of FeedbackFruits’ Competency-Based Education (CBE) tool. The tool supports personalized, mastery-focused learning by aligning activities with clearly defined competencies and enabling targeted feedback. Early implementation has shown promise in promoting learner agency and transparency, with plans to evaluate outcomes and expand the pilot in the coming year.

Expanding access to quality education and lifelong learning through multimedia services

RestBest is an NIH/NIDA-funded (R34) mHealth application delivering a transdiagnostic behavioral sleep medicine intervention for individuals with OUD/MOUD, targeting insomnia, nightmares, and shift work-related sleep challenges. The app personalizes care through symptom assessment, daily sleep tracking, and a structured 5–6 week program of animated educational videos that teach evidence-based sleep strategies and connect users with sleep medicine providers. 

The CATL Academic Media team played a pivotal role in the development of the app’s educational content, specifically by producing animated videos that enhance user engagement and learning. This process began with coordinating professional voice-over recordings, partnering with narrators to ensure clarity and tone consistency. These videos are consistently highlighted in qualitative interviews as a standout feature—praised for their high quality, clarity, and engaging presentation.

Scholarly Contributions

Empowering Educators: Operationalizing Age-Old Learning Principles Using AI

Fowlin, J., Coleman, D., Ryan, S., Gallo, C., Soares, E., & Hazelton, N. (2025). Empowering Educators: Operationalizing Age-Old Learning Principles Using AI. Education Sciences, 15(3), 393. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15030393.

In March 2025, CATL’s Executive Director, Dr. Julaine Fowlin, first-authored a significant paper in Education Sciences with education experts at MUSC and other institutions as well as a student intern. This publication provides educators with a practical framework for AI integration while maintaining core teaching principles grounded in Dewey's experiential learning, situated cognition, and distributed cognition theories. The paper emphasizes AI as a tool that enhances rather than replaces educators, offering strategies for personalized learning experiences, adaptive learning systems, and fostering critical thinking skills. It also thoughtfully addresses the ethical challenges of AI implementation in education. This work positions our institution as a thought leader in preparing both educators and students for an AI-ready workforce while ensuring that student engagement and learning outcomes remain central to the educational mission.

College of Pharmacy Open Educational Resource Project

Two members of our Instructional Design and Technology team were selected to co-author a poster at the AACP Annual Meeting, showcasing their collaborative work on an Open Educational Resource (OER) with a faculty member from the College of Pharmacy. As instructional designers, they applied their expertise in course design, pedagogy, and accessibility to develop engaging, well-structured chapters. This project reflects our ongoing commitment to innovative, collaborative teaching and learning initiatives.

D2L Fusion

In July 2024, our Instructional Design and Technology Team was selected to present at the D2L Fusion Conference, held in Toronto, Canada. This global gathering of education innovators provided a powerful platform for our team to showcase MUSC’s leadership in emerging educational technologies.

Their presentation, titled "Badge to the Future: Powering Career Readiness through Micro-Credentialing”, focused on the growing relevance of micro-credentialing in higher education and workforce development. The team highlighted how MUSC is proactively responding to this need through strategic implementation of stackable credentials and competency-based learning pathways. The session drew significant interest, sparking rich discussions around learner-centered innovation, professional development, and institutional scalability.