About the Office of Teaching Evaluation and Assessment Research

Reporting to the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA), OTEAR supports institution-wide teaching evaluations and other assessments processes related to learning outcomes, continuous academic improvement, academic appointments and promotions. OTEAR convenes networks on implementing teaching and learning best practices as a complement to and in collaboration with the corresponding centers in the academic units, with the goal of sharing research on innovations in teaching across the four campuses. In our role to support the university community, OTEAR collects and analyzes student feedback on instruction, and provides university-wide programming as well as customized workshops, training, and consultations upon request.

History

OTEAR (pronounced “otter”) was originally founded as the “Teaching Excellence Center” in 1992 and has gone through a few name changes during its history.

  • 1992 – founded as the “Teaching Excellence Center” (TEC). The office was primarily responsible for the Student Instructional Rating Survey.
  • 2004 – name changed to the “Center for the Advancement of Teaching” (CAT). The center’s responsibilities expanded to include instructional technologies, staff training, and enhanced classroom support.
  • 2007 – name changed to the “Center for Teaching Advancement and Assessment Research” (CTAAR), with the addition of coordinating university assessment programs.
  • 2016 – CTAAR became part of the the Division of Continuing Studies (DoCS).
  • 2022 – name changed to “Office of Teaching Evaluation and Assessment Research” (OTEAR), with a change in reporting structure to University Academic Affairs.

Contact Us:

General information email: otear@rutgers.edu

Gary Gigliotti
Special Advisor Regarding Academic Assessment
(848) 932-7466
gag@rutgers.edu

Christina Bifulco
Associate Director for Teaching and Learning
(848) 932-7466
bifulco@rutgers.edu

Joe Delaney
Director of Instructional Technologies
(848) 932-7466
jpd@rutgers.edu

Alexandra Cross
Administrative Assistant
(848) 932-7466
alexandra.cross@rutgers.edu

Monica Devanas
Director of Faculty Development and Assessment Programs
(848) 932-7466
devanas@rutgers.edu

Chris Drue
Associate Director for Teaching Evaluation
(848) 932-7466
chris.drue@rutgers.edu

Marcie Anszperger
Director of Computer Literacy Training
(848) 932-7466
mansz@rutgers.edu