Why Faculty Development Matters in Higher Education

Faculty development plays a vital role in improving the quality of education in higher institutions. It equips educators with the latest teaching strategies, technological tools, and subject knowledge, enabling them to deliver more engaging and effective learning experiences. By investing in professional growth, universities foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and academic excellence. This not only benefits faculty members but also positively impacts student learning, retention, and overall institutional success in a rapidly evolving academic landscape.

‍What is Faculty Development?
The transfer of expertise from educators to learners lies at the foundation of any educational system. A key contributor to academic success is the department dedicated to supporting educators in their instructional roles. This is where faculty development steps in.

Faculty development refers to the ongoing support provided to academic professionals to help them evolve in their roles, whether in teaching, research, or leadership, so they can offer a higher standard of education. This piece explores how such development acts as a driving force for creativity and innovation in teaching practices, ultimately benefiting not just students and faculty, but also enhancing the institution's overall image and influence.

Faculty Development at EHL
At EHL, educators benefit from targeted programs including skills workshops, coaching sessions, peer reviews, and collaborative exchanges designed to boost teaching methods, communication, and research capabilities. These initiatives help instructors strengthen and modernize their teaching styles, directly contributing to a richer, more impactful learning experience for students.

Martha Sandoval, who manages educational projects at EHL, emphasizes the diverse backgrounds of faculty, some come from research, others from industry. While a Ph.D. may signal academic expertise, such qualifications often lack a focus on actual teaching methods. Likewise, professionals entering education from sectors like culinary arts or hospitality often need structured training to translate their hands-on experience into effective instruction. EHL addresses this by offering a 90-hour foundational training course, ensuring these experts acquire essential teaching skills that complement their industry knowledge.

Faculty development plays a critical role in helping all educators, regardless of background. transform their knowledge into meaningful, student-centered teaching practices.

Faculty Development and Institutional Growth
Prioritizing faculty development signals a clear commitment to educational excellence. Teaching is a complex and demanding job that requires constant updating of methods, as outdated approaches often no longer engage today’s learners. When teachers are supported by a dedicated team focused on their professional growth, they feel more recognized and empowered in their roles, roles that have the power to transform lives when done with creativity and dedication.

By continuously investing in this area, institutions enhance their standing in an increasingly competitive global education market. It also helps align teaching with the ever-changing needs of industries, equipping graduates with the most relevant and current skills. Beyond fostering individual improvement, faculty development helps create an academic culture where innovation, collaboration, and lifelong learning thrive, strengthening the institution’s broader mission.

Adapting to the Knowledge Economy
As the global economy shifts toward knowledge-based industries, educators are expected to go beyond traditional teaching practices. While planning lessons and managing classrooms remain essential, the role of the teacher is being redefined.

Technology has reshaped how knowledge is shared, with tools like online learning platforms, digital content, and short attention spans changing classroom dynamics. The vast availability of online resources challenges educators to redefine their role from content expert to learning facilitator.

Modern teaching should focus on guiding students to think critically, develop autonomy, and navigate an information-rich world. Instead of simply delivering facts, today’s educators are expected to foster skills, purpose, and self-directed learning, requiring a foundation in innovative teaching methods.

Innovative Teaching at EHL
Given this shift in expectations, faculty development must broaden its support to include holistic teaching approaches. Encouraging innovation should go beyond technology and be rooted in self-awareness, empathy, and intentional use of tools. When technology and human connection work in tandem, the learning experience reaches its highest potential. But this starts with understanding one’s own strengths and how they impact students.

At EHL, self-awareness is actively encouraged. For example, Dr. Sébastien Fernandez developed a framework for identifying individual teaching styles by assessing areas like creativity, enthusiasm, and preparation. This helps both teachers and students understand what makes a lesson effective, leading to targeted improvements. Teaching becomes both a science and an art, balancing preparation with responsiveness, and structure with engagement.

As Head of Faculty Affairs, he sees this model as a great example of introspective faculty development that connects knowledge to students through empathy and human connection.

Creativity and Collaboration in Safe Spaces
A major pillar of faculty development is fostering a culture of creativity and peer support. Educators often face constraints such as rigid schedules and curriculum pressure, making it hard to innovate. Development programs must create opportunities for faculty to experiment and take creative risks, without fear of failure.

Learning environments thrive when teachers collaborate, test ideas, and reflect on what works. EHL promotes this through peer mentoring, where 11 faculty members serve as pedagogical coaches, offering ongoing support and feedback.

Senior Lecturer Petar Zivkovic sees his coaching role as an opportunity to help colleagues find joy in teaching and create more engaging experiences. Through peer exchanges and innovation showcases, EHL gives educators space to grow together, improving the overall academic environment.

Balanced Use of Technology
While tech can enhance education, it’s not a substitute for strong teaching. In small settings, meaningful learning can happen without the latest gadgets. In larger contexts, technology can help manage engagement and participation effectively.

EHL’s virtual reality housekeeping simulation is a standout example. It allows students to experience hotel operations firsthand, offering immersive, practical learning. Created during the pandemic, this project won accolades for bringing real-world training into the digital space.

Similarly, Associate Professor René Woltering’s AI-powered assistant provides students with around-the-clock support tailored to course materials. These examples show how tech can be integrated meaningfully, not as a gimmick, but to support deep, effective learning.

For faculty, development means learning to use such tools strategically, complementing their teaching and enhancing student connection, not replacing it.

A Personal Reflection on Faculty Development
Teaching well is about making intentional choices that align with learning goals. Faculty development expands the range of these choices by exposing educators to new strategies and approaches.

Though often underestimated due to time or budget constraints, professional development should be central to any academic institution’s long-term planning. It’s a key driver of quality education, student engagement, and institutional reputation.

Neglecting it is not just a missed opportunity, it’s a disservice to the transformative power of education and the people who deliver it.

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Source: hospitalityinsights‍