Mission & History

Mission

The Center for Instructional Innovation (CII) is dedicated to the enhancement of teaching and learning at Western Washington University. The Center promotes discussion and debate about teaching and learning, provides support to faculty in instructional innovation and course development, and helps nurture a culture of educational innovation and instructional excellence across disciplines.

Crossing the boundaries of discipline and college, the CII works with the entire campus community to ensure that the best instructional practices are promoted and supported. Working closely with Wilson Library, the colleges, departments, Outreach and Continuing Education, and the Office of the Provost, the CII provides leadership, resources, and assistance to Western’s most critical mission—teaching and learning.

History

  • 1997-98: A faculty and student task force shaped the vision for the CII as they addressed the need for institutional support in curricular transformation integrating sound pedagogy with new technologies. The recommendation for a teaching and learning center resulted in the creation of the Center for Instructional Innovation, led by an appointed director, under the administration of the Provost.
  • 1998: After getting a grant from Microsoft, the CII added a graduate student and a team of undergraduates to support faculty projects, as well as a "faculty microlab" for collaborative and supportive work.
  • 2000: The CII hired an instructional technology support staff member to coordinate student staff, develop faculty projects and conduct workshops.
  • 2010: With growth of grant-based workshops, the CII began operating with input and direction from a faculty advisory board.
  • 2012: Leadership changed to one instructional designer position.
  • 2013: The CII reporting structure changed from the Provost to the Academic Technology unit. For a period of years, the CII went by the name, Center for Instructional Innovation and Assessment (CIIA) and worked closely with technical staff supporting academic systems.
  • 2021: The director/instructional designer position began oversight of the area in ATUS known as Learning Systems, coordinating closely on supporting clients with key academic systems such as Canvas, Zoom, Panopto, and Socrative.
  • 2025: During a time of intense organizational change at Western, the CII reclaimed the original name, the Center for Instructional Innovation, while merging with the area formerly known as Learning Systems in ATUS. Staff reporting to the director position include the WWU Canvas Admin, an instructional designer & technologist, and a senior developer for digital initiatives, in addition to 4-6 student employees. The Center, still organized under ATUS, reports to the assistant director of teaching, learning, and technology, and the Academic Technology director.

This CII's vision continues to evolve with the many changes impacting higher education, while prioritizing bringing pedagogical/technical skills and joy to teaching.