Members of the year 3 faculty group earn 100% proposal acceptance.
Five Concordia University Ann Arbor faculty members will present their research at the Midwest Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Conference on April 10, 2026, after all proposals submitted by the university’s year 3 faculty group were accepted.
The presenters include:
- Katherine Young, clinical assistant professor/associate director of physician assistant studies
- Susannah Steele, associate professor/director of physical therapy
- Juliane Chreston, associate professor/director of occupational therapy
- Emily Paul, assistant professor of occupational therapy
- Erin Laverick, associate vice president
The year 3 faculty group supports faculty in their third year at CUAA as they begin developing a scholarly research agenda and preparing peer-reviewed work. Led by Dr. Erin Laverick, associate vice president of campus operations and student success, participants meet regularly to set research goals, build writing habits and encourage one another through the early stages of academic scholarship.
“This cohort was designed to help faculty shape focused research plans and establish writing routines that support long-term scholarship,” said Laverick. “In our monthly meetings, we discuss writing strategies, set goals, peer review each other’s work and write together. Writing is a social activity, so small groups provide an effective way to support research and writing.”
One area of focus for the group has been the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, often referred to as SoTL. This field centers on research that examines how students learn and how teaching practices shape that learning in higher education. Faculty studies often evaluate classroom strategies, curriculum design and other approaches that influence student success.
For Katherine Young, MPAS, PA-C, associate program director of the PA program, the experience has helped support a new research direction. Young is exploring how the university’s new Healthcare and Humanities Lab can support student well-being, including whether activities in the lab may help reduce post-test anxiety for physician assistant and other graduate health care students.
“The third-year faculty group has helped me develop a framework for this work and take the next step in scholarship,” Young said. “I’m grateful for their support as I transitioned from clinical practice to academia two and a half years ago.”
Emily Paul, OTD, OTR/L, assistant professor of OT, said the collaborative environment has helped make scholarship more structured and attainable.
“This group has been incredibly helpful in creating structure and accountability around writing and research,” Paul said. “The opportunity to share ideas, receive feedback and grow alongside colleagues has made the process of developing scholarship both motivating and meaningful.”
The group’s complete acceptance rate reflects the steady work completed throughout the year. Through regular meetings and shared feedback, participants built a network that encourages accountability and consistent progress toward publication and conference presentation.
The Midwest SoTL Conference brings together educators from across the region to share research that strengthens teaching and learning in higher education.
Want in?
Concordia University Ann Arbor is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.
Click here to view a full list of the programs.