FDTC Honors Faculty Development and Instructional Excellence at Second Annual ACUE Awards Ceremony
Florence-Darlington Tech (FDTC) recently held its second annual ACUE Awards Ceremony to recognize 19 faculty members for their commitment to professional development and instructional excellence.
The event celebrated faculty who pursued nationally recognized professional development opportunities through FDTC’s partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE).
“FDTC's investment in our partnership with ACUE sends a clear message to our faculty, staff, students, and community: we are unwavering in our commitment to continuous professional development, excellence in teaching, and student success,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Benita Yowe. “By supporting nationally recognized certification opportunities, we empower faculty and staff to strengthen their instructional practices, create engaging and positive learning environments, and enhance student achievement.”
This is the second year that FDTC participated in the ACUE training. During the college's first year of the program, 91 certifications were awarded to FDTC faculty and staff who completed ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practices course.
ACUE Certification is a nationally recognized credential in effective teaching for higher education faculty and is endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE). ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practice Framework includes more than 200 research-backed teaching strategies focused on course design, active learning, inclusive instruction, effective assessment and student engagement.
Through structured professional learning, ACUE equips faculty with evidence-based teaching practices designed to strengthen student engagement, learning outcomes, retention, and equity.
Additionally, two FDTC employees took their training a step further: Donna Laurie, Welding Instructor, and Ranada Samuel, Director of Access to Completing Education, earned ACUE Advanced Certification after completing Effective Online Teaching Practices in both 2025 and 2026.
“Investing in faculty and staff is an investment in students and fosters a culture of excellence that enriches the student experience,” Yowe said. “Through ACUE, we are bringing to life FDTC's mission and vision of providing a student-centered experience that transforms lives through excellence and innovation in education.”
The college’s continued participation in ACUE professional learning opportunities demonstrates FDTC’s commitment to instructional excellence, faculty development, and creating an educational experience that prepares students for success.