ATLAS Launch Signals New Era of Teaching and Learning
Wentworth Institute of Technology is embarking on an exciting new chapter in its commitment to academic excellence with the rebranding of the Teaching and Learning Collaborative (TLC) to the Advancing Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship (ATLAS) Center.
This shift signifies a renewed institutional focus on fostering innovative pedagogical practices, supporting faculty development, and promoting the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Accompanying this transformation is the appointment of Alisha Sarang-Sieminski as the new Executive Director of the ATLAS Center. Sarang-Sieminski will officially join Wentworth on May 12th, bringing nearly two decades of invaluable experience in higher education, with a strong background in faculty development and student-centered experiential learning.
Holding a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from MIT, Sarang-Sieminski’s expertise and student-centered approach are expected to be a significant asset to the ATLAS Center and the wider Wentworth community.
The move of ATLAS from Digital Technology Services (DTS) to Academic Affairs underscores the institution's dedication to prioritizing teaching and learning as central to its academic mission. Executive Vice President and Provost Sophia Maggelakis emphasized the strategic importance of this shift.
“The ATLAS Center represents a bold step forward in advancing teaching, learning, and the research and scholarship of pedagogy at our institution,” Maggelakis said. “By bringing this important unit under Academic Affairs, we are reinforcing our commitment to fostering innovation in teaching and learning, supporting faculty excellence, and enhancing the student learning experience.”
As Executive Director, Sarang-Sieminski will be responsible for providing strategic vision and fostering faculty development to cultivate a culture of innovation and scholarly inquiry in teaching and learning. The role will involve close collaboration with the Faculty Fellow for Teaching and Learning Innovation, Hariharan Naganathan, as well as the ATLAS Steering and Faculty Advisory Committees, academic leadership, faculty, staff, and DTS. The aim is to ensure the Center plays a pivotal role in enhancing learner inclusivity and integrating best practices. This will be achieved within a modern digital learning ecosystem.
Sarang-Sieminski shared their enthusiasm for joining Wentworth.
“I was drawn to Wentworth because of the school’s commitment to real-world problem solving, active, experiential learning as important for student professional outcomes from its founding,” they said.
Sarang-Sieminski also expressed a resonance with Wentworth’s commitment to inclusive excellence and accessibility for historically excluded groups in higher education and STEM fields.
“Professionally, it feels like the perfect next step as someone who has been engaging in teaching and learning work throughout my career as a faculty member, with a focus on integration of inclusive practices within the curriculum,” they said. “As an administrator, I have also realized a passion for the type of program building and culture change that this next phase of support for teaching and learning at Wentworth provides.”
Sarang-Sieminski's vision includes further supporting excellent teaching across all learning environments and elevating the scholarship of teaching and learning within and beyond Wentworth.
Sarang-Sieminski also emphasized a human-centered design approach, prioritizing a deep understanding of the needs and goals of all stakeholders. “What I heard through my interview process is that there is so much amazing work already happening, in the TLC and by faculty across the institution, and a real excitement to build upon that,” they said. “I am excited to enable and support what I heard loud and clear as an institution-wide desire to more strategically and systematically share resources, deepen engagement in teaching and learning best practices, and elevate this work in and outside of Wentworth.”
Maggelakis further elaborated on the vision for the newly named center. "ATLAS will serve as a hub for collaboration, providing faculty with the resources and expertise to elevate their teaching while empowering students to thrive in an ever-evolving academic landscape,” she said.