It started with a simple question: “How do we evaluate and document teaching?” What followed was not just an adaptation of a framework and evaluation tool but our own professional development with unexpected insights, shared experiences, and a renewed energy for teaching. With the goal of clarifying evaluation of teaching, we began to look at the Benchmarks for Teaching Effectiveness provided by the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) at the University of Kansas. The CTE Benchmarks have been developed as a comprehensive framework for evaluating teaching across seven dimensions: (1) Goals, Content, and Alignment; (2) Teaching Practices; (3) Achievement of Learning Outcomes; (4) Class Climate; (5) Reflection and Iterative Growth; (6) Mentoring and Advising; and (7) Involvement in Teaching Service, Scholarship, or Community.
Reciprocity over Hierarchy: Designing and Implementing a Student-Led Reverse Mentoring Program
Many academic leaders, including administrators and faculty members, participate in traditional mentoring programs that prioritize hierarchy. But these programs typically don’t foster engagement and connection between students and faculty or
Marquita Lyons-Smith and Keva Suitte
October 19, 2026
