Leadership Character with Leading Edge Skills
Contact the Center Director, Dr. Lori Kanitz
Friends University seeks both to equip students with the professional skills they need to be workforce ready and to cultivate the moral character required for them to be effective leaders.
Toward this end, Friends University launched in fall 2024 the Center for Mission-focused Teaching and Learning (CMFTL) to spearhead strategic efforts that embed the University’s mission in academic life. Its initiatives promote excellence in teaching and scholarship, improve the student learning experience and retention, and foster an innovative, Christ-centered educational culture. The Center also exists to serve the wider Wichita community as a resource hub and collaborative partner for graduating purposeful leaders who strengthen their communities for the common good.
Want to help transform lives through teaching?
Center for Mission-Focused Teaching & Learning
What Does the CMFTL Do?
The Center strengthens Friends University’s mission and long-term impact through initiatives such as the following:
Professional Development and Mentoring for Faculty
Providing workshops with leading scholars on faith and learning, pedagogies for High Impact Practices, Year-long New Faculty Orientation program on Christ-centered teaching and learning and topical, hands-on workshops.
Research and Scholarship
New Research Symposium featuring student research, scholarship and award-winning performances held each spring along with Monthly Faculty Focus meetings where faculty present current research.
Curriculum
Mission-focused curriculum revision efforts, such as for Friends Experience, the required first-year seminar. New course and program development.
Capacity-building
Grant writing and development efforts to fund campus-wide faith and learning initiatives.
At Friends University, the CMFTL equips faculty to inspire, mentor and shape students through Christ-centered teaching. The ripple effects of this mission extend far beyond the classroom.