To Improve the Academy is the annual publication of POD, the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education. This growing alliance of professionals promotes excellence in teaching and learning through faculty and organizational development. Members of POD include college and university administrators, faculty developers, instructional technologists, educational consultants, and full- and part-time faculty from all disciplines who are involved in research and teaching. POD members gather for the annual meeting each fall. Some of the chapters in this volume were inspired by presentations or conversations at the November 2004 meeting in Montreal, titled Culture, Creativity, Community. More information about POD can be found at podnetwork.org.

The production of To Improve the Academy, Volume 24 was a yearlong process involving collaboration of ideas, thoughtful writing, submission of manuscripts, peer review, multiple revisions, and careful editing. More than 100 people were involved, and all were volunteers who care about the improvement of teaching and learning. I particularly want to thank Associate Editor Doug Robertson, whose meticulous editing, thoughtful suggestions, and consistent good humor contributed considerably to the quality of this volume. In addition, I want to thank Brianne Clair, my work-study student, for her tireless efforts which made my work on this volume a pleasure. For their thoughtful and timely work, I thank the reviewers: Ron Ayers, Danilo Baylen, Donna Bird, Phyllis Blumberg, Jeanette Clausen, Cynthia Desrochers, Joseph Eng, Becky Glass, Judy Grace, Jace Hargis, Timothy Hickman, Eric Hobson, Wayne Jacobson, Frances Johnson, Kathleen Kingston, Joseph LaLopa, Jean Layne, Alice Macpherson, Vilma Mesa, Johon Noakes, Ed Nuhfer, Leslie Ortquist-Ahrens, Bunny Paine-Clemes, Gary Parnell, Calvin Piston, Nancy Polk, Judy Silvestrone, Kathleen Smith, Margaret Snooks, Lydia Soliel, Karen St. Clair, and Mary Wright. Ultimately, the decisions among many excellent manuscripts regarding inclusion and arrangement were mine.

Carolyn Dumore, of Anker Publishing, was most responsive and helpful with my many questions. And, as always, I am grateful for the good ideas and constant support of my husband, Professor Erich C. Blossey, D. J. and J. M. Cram Chair of Chemistry at Rollins College.

  • Sandra Chadwick Blossey

  • Rollins College

  • Winter Park, Florida

  • April 2005