FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Suzanne Ernst
(702) 889-8426

ELKO, NV -- The Board of Regents heard today that community college and university faculty members across the country are focusing on creating excellence in teaching.

"Our professors and instructors are coming under closer scrutiny," says Dr. Megan McIntosh, director of the Excellence in Teaching Program at the University of Nevada, Reno and recipient of the 1998 Regents' Teaching Award. "In turn, they are looking inward on how they can improve their skills and the learning process."

In the workshop she presented to the Board this morning, Dr. McIntosh encouraged the Regents to consider policy that will support a quality learning experience for students and give faculty the assistance they need to become excellent teachers.

"If we are to provide a quality education to our students, it is important that we have an understanding of what is necessary to create teaching excellence," said Dr. Jill Derby, Board chair.

"Today's workshop reaffirmed the Board of Regents' top priority of continually improving the quality of classroom teaching we offer Nevada's students," she added. "Our primary role, whether in the community college, university or the research institute, is to help our students learn more effectively and efficiently than they could on their own," Dr. Derby added.

Comprised of two doctoral-granting universities, four comprehensive community colleges and one environmental research institution, the University and Community College System of Nevada serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to more than 78,000 students.