Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE) Contact the Center for Faculty Excellence Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE) Contact the Center for Faculty Excellence Breadcrumb about center for faculty excellence About MENU Academy Leadership History of West Point Modernization Plan Accreditation & Assessment Privacy Policy Visit the Academy Academic Calendar About the Center The Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE) provides programs, services, and opportunities to support USMA faculty members' continued growth as educators, scholars, and leaders.CFE programs and events include the Master Teacher Program, Teaching Improvement Presentations, Faculty Development Workshops, Project Management Professional Introductory Course, Issues in Higher Education Book Club, and more. CFE Programs Master Teacher Program (MTP) The MTP is anchored in the belief that teaching and learning are inextricably linked - that faculty members are learners as well as teachers, and students are teachers as well as learners. Hence, the program is designed to be a learning experience for everyone involved. The primary goal of this interdisciplinary, two-year program is to help teachers develop the competencies and skills required to educate and inspire cadets. Through monthly discussion sessions, reflective writing, teaching workshops, and a capstone project, the program provides participants with:a framework for planning, implementing, and reflecting on teaching and learning activitiesthe ability to review and assess one's own teaching and to revise it appropriatelytechniques for helping learners acquire important discipline-related skills and knowledgethe ability to assess students’ learningadvice on how to create a community of learners in their classroomsEnrollment for the MTP begins each August during Reorganization Week. Contact the CFE for more information. Project Management Professional Introductory Course The Project Management Professional (PMP) Introductory Course is offered annually from January through the first week of March. This is a 15-lesson course which traditionally meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1630 to 1730 remotely. It is open to all individuals from the staff, faculty, and community members across West Point, USNA, USAFA, USCGA, USMMA and service members or GS employees with a DoD CAC interested in pursuing the PMP credential. Exploring Issues in Higher Education Book Club The Exploring Issues in Higher Education Book Club is for any faculty or staff member interested in exploring a wide variety of topics in higher education. The club meets one to two times per semester to discuss a chosen book. Faculty Development The world of an academic faculty member has its own set of language and expectations, both explicit and tacit. USMA maintains a membership in NCFDD to provide faculty with additional opportunities to learn and grow. NCFDD is a consortium of more than 240 top colleges and universities committed to seeing their faculty grow and thrive. NCFDD membership includes online self-paced webinars for strengthening writing and communication skills, groups for keeping yourself on task and accountable, and opportunities for further intensive faculty development. Signing up for NCFDD membership is free with your westpoint.edu email account and only takes a few minutes. Learn more about USMA membership with NCFDD Center for Faculty Excellence EventsVisit the CFE Calendar of Events (login required) Teaching Improvement Presentations (TIPs)Presentations to help you hone your teaching skills and increase cadet engagement and learning. Faculty Development Workshops (FDWs)Workshops on topics related to scholarship, cadet development, faculty development, service, and faculty wellness. Dean's Awards CeremonyCelebrate the MTP graduates and Dean's awards winners in our annual awards ceremony. CFE Leadership COL Benjamin Wallen Associate Professor & Associate Dean for Faculty Development COL Benjamin Wallen serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty Development as part of the Dean’s Staff. He teaches two courses in the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering. Learn more about COL Benjamin Wallen Dr. Stephen Finn Director of Center for Faculty Excellence Before becoming director, Dr. Finn worked in the Center for Faculty Excellence at West Point as associate director from 2009-22. Prior to coming to West Point, he taught philosophy at Seattle University for many years. Read more about Dr. Stephen Finn Awards Annual Awards for Excellence Apgar Award for Excellence in Teaching This award (donated by the Honorable Mahlon Apgar IV, former Assistant Secretary of the Army) was established to recognize, encourage, and reward faculty members at the academy by supporting teaching projects that improve cadet learning. For more information, please visit the CFE Sharepoint (login required).Apgar Award Recipients2024: MAJ Jessica Rudo, Department of History2023: COL Todd Woodruff, Dr. Lissa Young, MAJ Zachary Guyton, Dr. Lolita Burrell2022: MAJ Missy Moorehouse, Dr. Patrick Baker, Ms. Kimberly Quell, COL Mindy Kimball2021: MAJ Jonathon Morgan, MAJ Bryan Williams2020: COL Andrew Hagemaster, MAJ John Dibble, CPT Tara Middlebrooks, Dr. Beth Wetzler2019: MAJ Cathleen Barker, MAJ Jacob Capps, MAJ Gabriel Lucero, COL Corey Gerving2018: MAJ Bond, MAJ Britt, MAJ Eljdid, MAJ Eslinger, and Dr Cornwell2017: MAJ John Spencer, CPT Jake Miraldi, SFC William Rothrock2016: LTC Christopher Korpela, LTC Mike Saxon2016: LTC Christopher Korpela, LTC Mike Saxon2015: MAJ Jason Garneau, Mr. Darring Griffin, Dr. Sherry Venere2014: MAJ Matthew Cavanaugh2013: MAJ Nathaniel Davis,MAJ Patrick Heim2012: MAJ Katie Matthews, MAJ Andrew Pfluger2011: MAJ Kent Park, MAJ Lee Robinson2010: MAJ Aram Donigian, Mr. Jeff Weiss, MAJ Adam Chalmers, LTC Steven Hart2009: MAJ Sam Abbott-McCune2008: MAJ Victoria Campbell2007: MAJ Raymond Kimball2006: Dr. Gary Solis2005: MAJ Christina Schweiss2004: COL Scott Hampton, MAJ Jamie Efaw, MAJ Silas Martinez, MAJ Toya Davis, MAJ Samantha Breton, Dr. Peter Hanlon2003: MAJ Reid Sawyer2002: LTC Edward Naessens, Mr. Wayne Schepens, LTC Dan Ragsdale, COL Don Welch2001: LTC Jerry Schumacher2000: Dr. Morten Ender, MAJ Janet Chapman, MAJ Susan Lee-Kratz, Dr. Susan Tendy, Dr. Larry Butler, Mr. Lynn Fielitz1999: MAJ William Methany1998: Dr. Gregory Gassner1997: CAPT. Vincent J. Tedesco III1996: LTC Charles G. Powell Dean's Awards for Teaching Excellence These awards recognize outstanding contributions to teaching by West Point faculty members. For more information about these awards, please visit the CFE Sharepoint (login required).Dean’s Early Career Award (< 6 years) for Teaching Excellence Recipients 2025: LTC Donald Koban, Department of Systems Engineering2024: LTC Chris Graves, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2023: MAJ Hannah Smith, Department of Social Sciences2022: Dr. Kevin McMullen, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2021: MAJ Logan Phillips, Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering2020: MAJ James C. Bowen, Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering2018: MAJ Scott Parsons, Department of English and Philosophy2017: MAJ Steven Ferenzi, Department of Military Instruction2016: MAJ Brodie Hoyer, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2015: MAJ Scott Katalenich, Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringDean’s Mid-Career Award (6-15 years) Teaching Excellence Recipients2025: COL Chris Morrell, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science2024: Dr. Vikram Mittal, Department of Systems Engineering2023: COL Ben Wallen, Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering2021: Dr. Brock Barry, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, and Dr Jeffry Coelho, Department of Physical Education2018: Dr. Martha Gallagher, Department of Foreign Languages2017: Dr. David Chris Arney, Department of Mathematics2015: Dr. Ruth Beitler, Department of Social SciencesDean’s Career Award for Distinguished (> 15 years) Teaching Excellence Recipients2025: COL Bret VanPoppel, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2024: Dr. Eileen Kowalski, Department of Chemistry and Life Science2023: Dr. Morten Ender, Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership, and Dr. Kenny McDonald, Department of Systems Engineering2022: Dr. Scott Silverstone, Department of Social Sciences2020: Dr. Clifford Rogers, Department of History2016: Dr. Robert Tully, Department of English and Philosophy Dean’s Awards for Scholarship Excellence These awards recognize outstanding contributions to scholarship by West Point faculty members. For more information, please visit the CFE Sharepoint (login required).Dean’s Early Career Award (<6 years) for Scholarship Excellence Recipients2025: Dr. Thomas Matarazzo, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2024: Dr. Scott Limbocker, Department of Social Sciences2023: Dr. F. Todd Davidson, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2022: Dr. Ryan Limbocker, Department of Chemistry and Life Science2021: LTC Andrew Pfluger, Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering2020: Dr. James Cornwell, Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership2019: Dr. Jennifer Hewit, Department of Physical Education2018: MAJ Karoline M. Hood, Department of Mathematical Sciences2017: Dr. Gregory Freisinger, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2016: MAJ Patrick Sullivan, Department of Mathematical SciencesDean’s Mid-Career Award (6-15 years) for Scholarship Excellence Recipients2025: Dr. Suzanne Matthews, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science2024: COL James Bluman, Department of Mathematical Sciences2023: COL Joseph Lindquist, Department of Mathematical Sciences2021: Dr. Ozer Arnas, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Morton Ender, Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership2020: Dr. Ted Hromadka, Department of Mathematical Sciences2019: Dr. Aaron St. Leger, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science2018: COL Michael J. Benson, Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringDean’s Career Award (> 15 years) for Distinguished Scholarship Excellence Recipients2025: Dr. Clifford Rogers, Department of History2024: Dr. Michael Butkus, Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering2023: Dr. Michael Matthews, Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership2022: Dr. Elizabeth Samet, Department of English and Philosophy Dean’s Awards for Service and Development Excellence These awards recognize outstanding contributions to service and development by West Point faculty members. For more information, please visit the CFE Sharepoint (login required).Dean’s Award (< 6 years) for Service and Cadet Development Recipients2025: Dr. Isabella Sanders, Department of Systems Engineering2024: MAJ Brett Rocha, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2023: MAJ Kathryn Hedgecock, Department of Social Sciences2022: CPT(P) Tara Middlebrooks, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership2021: LTC Bradley McCoy, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2020: Dr. Kayla Blyman, Department of Mathematics2019: Dr. Colleen Eils, West Point Writing Program2018: MAJ Yoon G. Dunham, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership2017: COL Brad Wambeke, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering), and COL Daniel McCarthy, Department of Systems Engineering2016: MAJ John Belanger, Department of Chemistry and Life SciencesDean’s Career Award (> 6 years) for Distinguished Service and Faculty Development Recipients2025: Dr. Rachel Sondheimer, Department of Social Sciences2024: COL Todd Woodruff, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership2023: Dr. Led Klosky, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2022: Dr. Greta Bucher, Department of History2021: COL Tania Chacho, Department of Social Sciences, and Dr. Gunner Tamm, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering2020: Dr. Thomas Sherlock, Department of Social Sciences2019: Dr. Scott Silverstone, Department of Social Sciences2018: COL Liam S. Collins, Department of Military Instruction Grants Adam Talent Fund Grant The Adam Talent Fund promotes teaching projects that improve cadet learning through the use of technology. Made possible by the George F. Adam Endowment (donated by Mr. and Mrs. George Adam, Class of ’68) in support of the Center for Faculty Excellence at West Point, Adam Talent Fund grants support innovation in teaching by assisting faculty in the acquisition of technology for use in the classroom and/or by providing support to faculty for conference presentations related to teaching with technology. For more information, contact the CFE.