About the Center

The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) provides comprehensive services supporting excellent teaching and learning at Northern Illinois University.

Vision

Our vision is to be a catalyst for transformative learning experiences for faculty and students.

Mission

We support effective and innovative teaching in pursuit of transformative learning experiences.

Values

In pursuing our vision and fulfilling our mission, we value and practice:

Quality and Excellence

• We practice and promote evidence-based and learner-focused teaching, learning, and instructional design strategies.
• We commit our resources to continuous quality improvement.
• We leverage and develop the skills and talents of our staff in a team approach to serve our campus community in the most effective way possible.

Innovation and Transformation

• We champion innovative and creative approaches to teaching and learning.
• We explore and evaluate new technologies and strategies to inform their effective integration into teaching and learning.
• We create and advocate for creating transformative learning experiences for our faculty and students.

Service and Empowerment

• We practice a service mindset through relationships based on respect and trust.
• We empower faculty and students by helping them engage their strengths and identifying and satisfying professional development needs.
• We build communities of practice, providing a safe place for risk taking, and providing opportunities for sharing and leadership.

Ethics and Integrity

• We practice and promote respect for intellectual property, privacy, and ethical practice.
• We champion transparency and clarity.
• We communicate with each other and with faculty and staff honestly, respectfully, and constructively.

Inclusion and Equity

• We practice and promote teaching and learning strategies that celebrate and serve all our faculty and students.
• We champion the development of learning experiences that are accessible and meaningful for all students.
• We defend the principles of inclusive excellence in all facets of our mission.

Functions

The major functions of the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning are as follows:

• Coordinate, develop, and deliver professional development for faculty, instructors, teaching assistants, and other teaching staff, addressing teaching excellence, online pedagogy, and technology integration.
• Conduct individual and group consultations for teaching staff—faculty, instructors, TAs—focused on course design (face-to-face and online), technology integration, and effective teaching strategies.
• Provide leadership, service, and support for the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of online programs and courses, ensuring alignment with quality standards and student-centred design.
• Partner with academic units to guide the development of new online programs, promote flexible learning pathways, expand access, and support institutional enrollment goals.
• Support student success in online learning contexts by collaborating campus-wide to remove barriers, anticipate learner needs, ensure equitable access, and create virtual spaces of belonging for online students.
• Connect faculty, staff, and academic units to broader university resources and support, including instructional technology, student services, enrollment management, and and other support offices to enable a seamless teaching and learning experience.
• Create, curate, and disseminate resources and toolkits on effective teaching, online learning best practices, technology integration, inclusive pedagogy, and the student online-learning experience.
• Engage with the university at-large as a resource and partner, serving as a strategic leader in teaching innovation, online learning, faculty concerns, institutional policy, and community-building for learners and instructors alike.
• Monitor emerging trends, champion innovation, and lead anticipatory guidance in online teaching and learning—ensuring CITL and NIU remain responsive, forward-looking, and inclusive in digital education environments.

The center periodically assesses faculty needs, obtains inputs from the Office of the Provost, consults with the Innovative Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee and refines its mission, vision, and functions accordingly. The center develops short term plans for each academic year and carries out those plans that are feasible during each academic year.