Reimagining Faculty Support: A Scalable, Personalized HOW2 Approach for Every Educator.
In the first of a series of articles, Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith highlights the urgent need to rethink faculty support, offering a flexible solution that empowers every educator, enhances teaching quality, and directly aligns with student success and institutional goals.
Dr. Harvey-Smith’s belief in the power of education isn’t just professional — it’s deeply personal. She first came across TeachingHOW2s during a National Board meeting with the Higher Education Research Development Institute. “I could see right away that this was something special,” she recalls. “It wasn’t just another piece of edtech. It was a genuine tool for reimagining how we support faculty for transformation.”
It’s early morning in Western Pennsylvania, and Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith is already on her second cup of coffee, gearing up for another day of conversations with community college leaders. These days, her mission is clear: to reimagine how we support faculty in an ever-evolving educational landscape.
For decades, Dr. Harvey-Smith has dedicated herself to helping community colleges reimagine themselves as they navigate the challenges of being a 21st-century teaching institution. “Community colleges are at the heart of so many students’ journeys,” she says, “but the demands placed on our educators are immense.” And many face these challenges without support.
This is why Dr. Harvey-Smith has put her support behind the TeachingHOW2s platform — a resource she believes could be transformative for community colleges across the United States. “HOW2 reimagines faculty development by providing a more inclusive, engaging, affordable, and effective way to scale quality instruction,” she emphasizes. “Too many students are taught by teachers with little or no access to support with their teaching. We’ve been asking colleges to do more with less for years, but what if we could flip the script and give them tools that make their jobs easier and empower them to support every educator?”
1. Opening Up Access: Leveling the Playing Field for All Faculty Members
“Imagine a faculty member trying to squeeze in a professional development course between grading and prepping for classes. It’s nearly impossible,” she explains. That’s where TeachingHOW2s steps in. Unlike traditional workshops that demand faculty take time out of their already jam-packed schedules, this platform delivers on-demand resources right to their fingertips.
Whether you’re a seasoned professor or an adjunct juggling multiple commitments, the platform ensures that everyone gets access to high-quality teaching strategies. “It’s all about equity,” Dr. Harvey-Smith says. “Full-time, part-time, or adjunct — it doesn’t matter. Everyone deserves the chance to grow.”
And the best part? There’s no need to apply for courses or wait for the next term’s budget. TeachingHOW2s is there, ready when faculty are. “It’s like a well-stocked pantry,” she laughs. “Everything you need is just a click away.”
2. Personalized Learning: Making It Relevant, Not Just Generic.
One size doesn’t fit all in education; Dr. Harvey-Smith knows that better than most. “Every college is different,” she says. “What works for one might not work for another.” That’s why TeachingHOW2s allows colleges and individual faculty to tailor and prioritize content to fit their specific needs and priorities.
This flexibility means faculty aren’t wasting time on irrelevant training. Instead, they’re accessing strategies that directly apply to their learning environments. “Faculty know their students best,” she adds. “The platform makes it easy for them to find solutions to the barriers they see standing in the way of their students’ progress — It’s about making sure that professional learning actually leads to better outcomes for students.”
3. Creating a Culture of Collaboration: Learning from Each Other.
For Dr. Harvey-Smith, the real magic happens when faculty start learning from one another. “Teaching can be isolating,” she reflects. “But it doesn’t have to be.” That’s where the Skills Exchange feature comes in.
“It’s like a virtual staff room,” she explains, where faculty can share insights, seek advice, or simply reflect on what’s working in their classrooms. “I’ve seen how powerful peer-to-peer support can be. Sometimes, it’s the smallest tweak that makes the biggest difference.”
The platform also encourages reflective practice through its Notes feature, allowing educators to document and share their learning with colleagues across their department, college or network. “It’s not just about individual growth,” Dr. Harvey-Smith insists. “It’s about building a community where everyone gets better together.”
4. Blending AI with Community Intelligence: Real-Time, Practical Support.
As someone who’s spent years in education, Dr. Harvey-Smith has seen her fair share of shiny new tools that over-promise and under-deliver. But TeachingHOW2s, she believes, is different. “The AI Assistant is like having a co-pilot,” she explains. “It helps faculty adapt teaching techniques to their subjects and lesson focus and learning environments, in real-time.”
The platform combines artificial intelligence with Community Intelligence—meaning it’s constantly evolving based on the experiences and feedback of its users. “Faculty aren’t just consumers here,” she says. “They’re co-creators. They’re the ones helping shape this tool.”
It’s this blend of technology and human expertise that excites Dr. Harvey-Smith the most. “We’re creating something exciting here — something that isn’t static. It grows with us. And the more a faculty member or an organization use it, the more it appears to be unique to them”
5. Aligning with Institutional Goals: Boosting Retention and Accreditation
Ultimately, the goal of TeachingHOW2s is to align faculty development with broader institutional priorities. “We know that when educators are supported, students benefit,” Dr. Harvey-Smith states. “By equipping every faculty with evidence-based strategies, we’re directly impacting student retention, completion, and engagement of all students.”
The platform also supports colleges in demonstrating their commitment to continuous improvement, making it easier to meet accreditation standards. “It’s not just about checking boxes,” she emphasizes. “It’s about ensuring that every student is taught by an educator who has the support they need to excel.”
Why This Matters: Dr. Harvey-Smith’s Personal Journey
Now, as the TeachingHOW2s Regional President and US Ambassador, she’s more convinced than ever that this platform can help community colleges overcome the challenges they face. And she is more committed than ever to expanding access. “This isn’t just about improving teaching,” she insists. “It’s about ensuring every student, no matter where they are, is taught by an educator who is equipped to succeed.”
Getting Started: How to Bring TeachingHOW2s to Your College
If you’re intrigued by what you’ve read, Dr. Harvey-Smith suggests scheduling a demo: “Email me, see it in action,” she urges. “It’s the best way to understand how it can fit into your college’s unique context.” On the demo you’ll connect with the HOW2 team: They’re ready to help you customize the platform to align with your specific goals.
As Dr. Harvey-Smith puts it: “At the end of the day, it’s about giving every student the best chance to succeed by supporting every single one of their educators. We’re not just enhancing teaching — we’re transforming futures.”
For more information and to take the first step, explore the website, book a demo (top right of screen) or email Dr. Harvey-Smith, ceo@abharveysmith.com
Next up in Dr. Harvey Smith’s Series: “Reimagining Faculty Support — The Faculty Perspective”
“Faculty understandably often approach new tools with scepticism, seeing them as initiatives liked by administrators — often without classroom experience — and imposed on educators. Not so with HOW2, Faculty immediately recognize it as a tool built for them, shaped by their input.” — Dr. Harvey Smith