Julie “Dodi” Hodges, associate professor of education at Coastal Carolina University, has been named the new director of the university’s Center for Effective Teaching and Learning (CETL).

The CETL is a resource for the professional development of teachers. The center creates a community of teachers to learn and reflect on pedagogical practices in order to sustain and enhance the quality of teaching and, in turn, of learning.

As director, Hodges looks to provide more instructional opportunities for faculty development by offering training sessions, bringing in keynote speakers and collaborating with CCU’s Technology in Education to Advance Learning (TEAL) Center to develop online professional development seminars. Hodges also plans on building and maintaining relationships with external funding sources and applying for grants to fund initiatives including a mentoring program, a travel enhancement program and a pedagogical conference.

Hodges earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in special education from Indiana University in Bloomington and a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. She was an assistant professor at Bowling Green State University from August 2002 until August 2007 when she came to CCU. In addition to directing the CETL, Hodges has been the co-coordinator and coordinator of the special education program at CCU and the assessment coordinator for the William L. Spadoni College of Education. She is also the center director for Project CREATE (Centers for the Re-Education and Advancement of Teachers in Special Education), a grant program for those aspiring to become special education teachers.