Center for Teaching Excellence Announces New Executive Director
Talbert’s over 25 years of experience in higher education includes several high-level leadership and teaching roles.
Dr. Robert N. Talbert’s tenure as executive director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Texas A&M University, begins Aug. 1, 2026.
Robert N. Talbert
Dr. Robert Talbert has been named the executive director of the Texas A&M University Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), where he will lead the university’s efforts to support faculty development, instructional innovation and teaching excellence.
As executive director, Talbert will oversee programs that support faculty, graduate students and academic units through professional development, instructional innovation and initiatives that strengthen teaching excellence across Texas A&M.
“Talbert’s background as an educator and leader aligns strongly with the Center for Teaching Excellence’s mission to promote a universitywide culture of teaching excellence,” said Dr. Michael Johnson, interim vice provost for Academic Affairs and associate provost for Academic Enhancement. “His experience in the scholarship of teaching and learning will be a valuable asset as Texas A&M continues to advance high-impact teaching practices across disciplines.”
Talbert joins Texas A&M from Grand Valley State University, where he is a professor of mathematics and has served in several leadership roles, including senior faculty fellow for Learning Futures, presidential fellow for the Advancement of Learning, department chair and assistant chair in the Department of Mathematics.
Throughout his career, Talbert has focused on evidence-based teaching practices, faculty development, educational technology and student success. His work emphasizes active and flipped learning, digital learning environments and the design of effective learning spaces.
He has also authored and co-authored books on flipped learning and alternative grading practices that promote authentic learning and student engagement.
At Texas A&M, Talbert will oversee faculty and graduate student professional development, teaching consultations, digital learning initiatives, university mentoring efforts, instructional design support and other efforts that strengthen teaching excellence and student success.
Talbert will also hold a faculty appointment as an instructional professor in the Department of Mathematics.
“I’m thrilled to join the Texas A&M community and the Center for Teaching Excellence. The CTE is a remarkable team doing serious, high-impact work on behalf of TAMU faculty and students,” said Talbert. “I’m eager to contribute to and build on that work — especially in advancing active learning as a core institutional priority. It’s a genuine honor to help lead the center into its next chapter.”
