Educational Innovation

What We're Working On

The Educational Innovation work of the Steering Committee involves creating processes to gather faculty input on tools and strategies that enhance pedagogy and facilitating reporting on these tools' effectiveness (i.e., white papers and conference presentations). This work also includes designing and implementing the Instructional Innovation Seed Grant program.

Instructional Innovation Seed Grant Program

This grant program is intended to provide the opportunity to experiment, test, or implement a teaching innovation that addresses an important instructional concern and improves teaching and student learning with the goal of increasing student success. Note: LEAPS Council and Steering Committee members are not eligible.

Applications for the 2026-2027 grant cycle will open in the fall. Application guidelines and proposal criteria will be listed in the “Resources” section below. Email LEAPS@umaryland.edu with any questions.

Many thanks to the dedicated team members of the inaugural Educational Innovation Subcommittee!

• Jim Kucher, DPA, MBA, School of Graduate Studies (Co-Chair)
• Tanya Thomas, JD, MLS, Carey School of Law (Co-Chair)
• Sapphire Boone, LCSW, School of Social Work
• Heather Congdon, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, School of Pharmacy
• Bridgitte Gourley, DNP, FNP-BC, School of Nursing
• Tamara Hicks, PhD, MSW, School of Social Work
• Isabell May, PhD, School of Graduate Studies
• Norman Retener, MD, School of Medicine
• Matt Rietschel, EdD, School of Nursing
• Scott Riley, PhD, School of Pharmacy
• Monica Schneider, DDS, School of Dentistry
• James Stephens, MED, MLIS, Health Sciences and Human Services Library