The Task Force on Teaching Excellence is an advisory body to the Teaching & Learning Center. Representing each of UNCP's colleges and schools and Mary Livermore Library, the faculty who comprise this council are distinguished in the area of excellence in teaching and learning. The provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, delegating to the associate provost, has supervisory authority over the Teaching & Learning Center, and, as such, approves the membership of the committee. The Director of the TLC serves as chair of the Task Force.

The Task Force, dba the Directed Academic Leave Committee, accepts and evaluates proposals for Directed Academic Leave, due by noon Jan. 15 annually. Note: The granting of Directed Academic Leave is suspended until further notice. For proposal and submission information, please click on the Call for Proposals below. To submit a proposal, please complete this application.

The membership of the committee is as follows:

• Whitney Akers, PhD, LCMHC, NCC, ACS (EDUC, to 2025), Assistant Professor of Counseling
• Robert Arndt, MA, MFA, MLS (Library Representative, to 2026), Associate Librarian and Director of Reference Services
• Kaitlin Campbell, PhD (NS&M, to 2026), Assistant Chair and Associate Professor of Biology
• Terence Dollard, MFA (ARTS, to 2026), Professor of Mass Communication
• Michele Fazio, PhD (LETT, to 2025), Professor of English, Theatre & World Languages
• Alice Kay Locklear, PhD, ACSW (HSCI, to 2025), Assistant Chair and Professor of Social Work
• Sivanadane Mandjiny, PhD (NS&M, to 2024), Chair and Professor of Chemistry & Physics
• Astrid Oviedo, PhD, RN, CNE (HSCI, to 2026), Associate Professor of Nursing
• Carla Rokes, MFA (ARTS, to 2024), Chair and Professor of Art
• Christopher Solano, DBA (S&BS, to 2024), Assistant Professor of Accounting & Finance
• Laura Staal, PhD (EDUC, to 2024), Associate Professor of Educational Leadership & Specialties 
• Stewart Thomas, PhD, CPA, CGMA (S&BS, to 2025), Professor of Accounting & Finance
• Christopher Woolley, PhD (LETT, to 2026), Associate Professor of History

For more information, contact TLC director Scott Hicks at 910.775.4032 or scott.hicks@uncp.edu.