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Professor Erin Furtak of the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ School of Education has been appointed interim director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), effective Aug. 3. She succeeds Kirk Ambrose, who was recentlyÌýappointed interim vice provost for academic planning and assessment.Ìý

Furtak will lead the center during a nine-month interim term. The CTL, which now reports to the Office of Faculty Affairs, supports instructors across campus through programs, resources and partnerships that advance teaching excellence and student success.

"Professor Furtak is an ideal choice for this important role," said Michele Moses, senior vice provost and vice chancellor for faculty affairs. "She is an accomplished teacher and scholar, an experienced academic leader, and a long-time collaborator and advocate of the Center for Teaching and Learning. I am confident that her expertise and leadership will serve both the center and our faculty community exceptionally well."

Furtak currently serves as leader of the School of Education's faculty governance body. Previously, she served as the school's associate dean of faculty from 2018 to 2021. She has held a variety of leadership roles in national and international organizations focused on teaching, learning and science education, including service with the National Association of Research in Science Teaching, the National Academies of Sciences and the European Science Education Research Association.

Her contributions to teaching have been recognized with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ's 2025 Marinus Smith Teaching Award and the 2026 Best Should Teach Gold Award.

As a scholar, Furtak received the 2011 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on early-career scientists and engineers. She also was awarded a German Chancellor Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Her research and partnership projects have been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation and other funding agencies. Her scholarship has appeared in a wide range of scholarly and practitioner-focused publications, including books, book chapters, essays and journal articles.

At the CTL, Furtak will support faculty in exploring and advancing effective teaching and pedagogy across disciplines.

"Erin brings a deep understanding of teaching and learning, along with a collaborative approach that will benefit instructors at every stage of their careers," Moses said. "She will be a trusted resource for faculty as the center continues its important work to strengthen teaching excellence across campus."

Additional information about the search for a permanent CTL director will be shared later in the academic year.