The Undergraduate Technology Apprentice Program (UTAP), created and developed by OIT, the College of Chemical and Life Sciences, and the College of Arts and Humanities, received the 2006-2007 Departmental Award for Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Teaching, given by the Center for Teaching Excellence.

The UTAP program trains students to assist faculty members to effectively use technology as an aid to teaching their courses. During a semester of training, students learn not only the technical skills to use software and hardware, but also the ways in which different tools would be most effective for different teaching and learning objectives. UTAP “graduates” are then paired with a faculty member to aid in developing and maintaining the technological aspects of their courses. This year, 14 students participated in UTAP, and during the past seven years of the program, approximately 75 students have participated.

Part of the award is a $5000 recognition for use in improving the program. According to OIT’s Deborah Mateik, UTAP’s lead instructor, the award money will be used by the College of Chemical and Life Sciences and the College of Arts and Humanities to purchase software and equipment for the UTAP graduates to use while they’re providing faculty support.