Stuart D. Cook, M.D. Master Educators’ Guild A Commitment to Excellence in Education at UMDNJ Nicholas M. Ponzio, Ph.D. Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School Member of Master Educators’ Guild NJMS Faculty Orientation

What was the most important factor in your education? When the National Science Foundation put that question to leading scientists 25 years ago, the answer was almost uniformly the same: …the opportunity to work closely with a great and inspiring teacher.

The MEG will be comprised of UMDNJ faculty members who set the highest standards of academic excellence, and have a true gift for teaching whether in the classroom, the research laboratory, or a patient care setting. Formation of the Master Educators’ Guild In his 1999 Inaugural Address as second president of our university, Dr. Stuart D. Cook, shared his vision and rationale for creating the UMDNJ Master Educators' Guild (MEG). What was the vision for the MEG?

UMDNJ-Schools and Campuses in New Jersey New Jersey Medical School New Jersey Dental School School of Health Related Professions Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences School of Nursing Robert Wood Johnson Medical School School of Public Health School of Osteopathic Medicine The MEG is a university-wide organization

Who are members of the MEG? Members come from all academic ranks (Assistant, Associate and Full Professors) Membership includes individuals whose expertise and responsibilities are in basic sciences, clinical medicine, social sciences, nursing, health related professions, and public health Common characteristics of members are peer recognition of their exceptional teaching skills, creativity in curriculum design or innovations in the delivery of education, and ability to engender enthusiasm among their students.

How are Master Educators selected? Master Educators are nominated by their peers, students, administrators, and department chairs. A university-wide committee annually reviews and approves nominees, who are inducted as MEG members each fall at the University Day ceremonies for renewable term of five years. In addition to the title, each Master Educator receives the Guild medallion, which they wear at ceremonial functions, such as the university's annual convocation and commencement exercises.

Current MEG Officers OfficeNameSchool PresidentDebra Heller, M.D.NJMS Immediate Past President Kai Mon Lee, Ph.D.SOM President-ElectGloria Bachmann, M.D.RWJMS VP FinanceMel Mupparapu D.D.S.NJDS SecretaryKerry O’Rourke, M.L.S.RWJMS

The goals of the MEG are to: facilitate and support the improvement of educational effectiveness and innovation conduct scholarly activities and sponsor programs that support the university's educational mission raise awareness and emphasize the importance of teaching activities on a par with research and clinical service for academic advancement and promotion at UMDNJ

Guild Activities Annual Symposium -- topic relevant to the educational mission of the university Educational Grand Rounds -- presented in conjunction with the annual University Day activities Center for Educational Excellence -- website with useful resources to promote and support the educational activities of UMDNJ faculty Service -- on university committees to recognize individuals and departments for their academic achievements

Selected Features of the On-Line Center for Teaching Excellence Listing of all MEG members, including biosketches and contact information A comprehensive Web-based teaching/learning resource Direct access to over 1,100 links on teaching and learning, instructional technologies & career development Highly interactive with public topical discussion forums, a guestbook and a dynamic question & answer data base and accessibility to an internal consultant data base for UMDNJ faculty Gateway to additional information about MEG activities

Update Information to be added Spring Symposium of the Stuart D. Cook, M.D. Master Educators’ Guild 2008

Work in progress Promote adoption and implementation of mentoring guidelines for new UMDNJ faculty Expand University Day program to include collaborative educational activities among UMDNJ schools Develop new ways to increase the awareness and visibility of the MEG within and outside UMDNJ Emphasize use of a Teaching Portfolio to document faculty teaching effort and effectiveness for academic advancement and promotion

What can the MEG do for you? advice and direction about teaching strategies, lecture preparation, designing/directing courses a forum for exchange of ideas Related to fulfillment of your educational goals, the members of the MEG can provide: advice in preparing your teaching portfolio for promotion networking with other UMDNJ faculty members with common interests educational resources through the Center for Teaching Excellence website