The K. Patricia Cross Academy

For Faculty • For Free • For the Future of Higher Education

The K. Patricia Cross Academy is an investment in the future of higher education named to celebrate and preserve the legacy of K. Patricia Cross. Founded by Elizabeth Barkley and Claire Major, the academy was originally established as a nonprofit program of the The Social Good Fund, it is now endowed in perpetuity to the University of Alabama. We are dedicated to supporting faculty by offering free instructional videos, downloadable resources, and CrossCurrent articles that clearly outline how to:

1

Implement high-impact, evidence-based teaching techniques that improve all students' learning; and

2

Document student learning in ways that provide the information teachers need to improve their teaching as well as assist them in their efforts for hiring, tenure, and promotion.

The K Patricia Cross Academy has been a valuable resource for me, especially as a first-time instructor. This semester is my first time teaching a class all by myself, and I have been using 3-2-1 Activity to assess student’s engagement in class and further answer any questions they may have about the content. We only did the activity two times since it is the beginning of the semester, but I already see its usefulness. I am excited to utilize other activities featured on the website in future classes.

Teaching Assistant

I really enjoyed navigating the site. I especially found it to be extremely beneficial for someone like me, who has more of an interdisciplinary focus in both communication and education, and particularly an interest in pedagogical communication. The site introduced a lot of really interesting and useful techniques for active teacher-student engagement regardless of the subject matter, which I also believe is very useful.

Teaching Assistant

After learning about the K. Patricia Cross Academy, I have shared it with my colleagues at my community college.  We are grateful for the free resources the academy provides and it has been a tremendous resource for our instructors.  Personally, the academy has helped me create unique activities to connect with our students during freshmen seminars.

Faculty Member

I wish to convey how much your resources have helped me. I am a passionate teacher/educator…I can’t thank you enough for your free resources that are so helpful to someone like me with loads of passion and no funds! 

Faculty Member

This will surely be a valuable resource for higher education in the coming months and years.

AN ASSOCIATION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION VICE-PRESIDENT