Two of the most popular topics at Miami University’s Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) are student engagement and artificial intelligence in teaching and learning.

So it’s fitting that this year’s visiting teacher-scholar at CTE has a strong background in both. Claire Howell Major will visit Miami Feb. 19-20 for the Drs. Mary (Scherger) Bonhomme and Raymond Bonhomme Visiting Teacher-Scholar Series.

The series is open to any faculty, staff, or graduate students who teach at Miami. Registration for each session is available online.

A distinguished teaching professor at the University of Alabama, Major is known for her expertise in instructional approaches and the integration of instructional technology. She has authored or co-authored 11 books, including “Engaged Teaching,” which will be the topic of one of two book discussions and signings (with free books) at Laws Hall on both Feb. 19 and Feb. 20.

“Currently at the CTE, the two most requested programming and consulting areas are student engagement and AI in teaching,” said Ellen Yezierski, professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and director of the CTE. “Dr. Major's expertise and the Visiting Teacher-Scholar workshops are laser-focused on these areas.”

The CTE series launched a year ago with the inaugural visiting teacher-scholar, James Lang. Yezierski reported 70 Miamians attended the two-day event.

The series is named for Mary (Scherger) Bonhomme ’74 and Raymond Bonhomme. Their donation helped establish the program. Mary Bonhomme is a former associate provost and dean at Florida Institute of Technology.

“Last year was a very successful event,” Yezierski said. “We look for people who we know are very strong presenters. Dr. Major is very engaging, and her book, ‘Engaged Teaching,’ is wildly popular in the CTE library.”

“It’s a nice alignment. Dr. Major can simultaneously support and challenge people, which is a sign of a good teacher and faculty developer.”

Major also co-founded the K. Patricia Cross Academy, an online professional development resource.

Yezierski said she is looking forward to the re-energizing nature of the series.

“This draws an interdisciplinary group of instructors, and people get to work with others they don’t always get to work with,” Yezierski said. “That is always a great opportunity for learning and collaboration.”

Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the Center for Teaching Excellence? Visit the website for more information.