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Students benefit when faculty develop their teaching practice. This study aimed to identify why faculty seek professional development (PD), barriers to addressing classroom needs, and the benefit of PD in developing an understanding of classroom diversity at an HSI. Data from over 400 participants indicate a desire for classroom and online engagement activities. Faculty also described PD as facilitating the building of a community of peers engaged in student success while better understanding shifting demographics.

We report on a qualitative research study that identifies both challenges and successes resulting from the implementation of a Peer Education program at an urban, Hispanic-serving, Tier 1 Research University. By drawing on the experiences of 29 peer educators, we demonstrate the ways that combining peer mentoring and tutoring provided benefits for those who were not only served but those who served them. Lessons learned are shared.

Here we share results from a larger study of professional development (PD) provided to faculty at Research I Urban University (RIUU), where STEM faculty modeled active learning strategies and provided ready-to-use STEM materials to teaching staff. Data from 94 STEM faculty, who comprised 27% of the total participants (N = 340), demonstrated a knowledge benefit and a desire for additional student demographic information to help faculty further understand students' needs, particularly those from underserved communities. We conclude with recommendations to university stakeholders seeking to engage teaching staff in active learning strategies which support student engagement and learning.