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Announcements

Mark Wolfersberger Named Director of the Edward D. Smith Center for Learning & Teaching

Brigham Young University–Hawaii Vice President for Academics John Bell announced today that Mark Wolfersberger will succeed Jared Marcum as director of the Edward D. Smith Center for Learning & Teaching, effective September 1, 2020.

Portrait of Mark Wolfersberger

Mark brings a wealth of experience to the table both from his work as one of the founding members of the reinvented Center for Learning & Teaching as well as his prior efforts in English language teaching and methods for instructing students learning the English language.

Mark earned a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese teaching and a Master of Arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Brigham Young University. After working full-time for three years at BYU's English Language Center in Provo, Utah, he moved with his family to New Zealand where he earned a doctorate in second language teaching and learning from the University of Auckland. His area of particular professional interest is second language writing. He has been a member of the TESOL International Association since 2000 and has been a member of Hawaii TESOL since coming to BYU–Hawaii in 2007. He loves teaching and working with the international community that is on campus here at BYU–Hawaii.

"Please join me in expressing gratitude to Jared for his diligent and effective service for many years in the Center for Learning & Teaching and with the distance education program of the University," said Bell. Jared led a very successful reinvention of the Center for Learning & Teaching making it one of the premier faculty development operations in the country. Jared will now be able to devote his efforts to his other passion: religious education. "Congratulations and thanks to both members of the BYU–Hawaii 'ohana," continued Bell.

The mission of BYU–Hawaii's Edward D. Smith Center for Learning & Teaching is to inspire faculty and special instructors to effectively implement the BYU–Hawaii Learning Framework, develop the English language proficiency of their students, and encourage cross-cultural engagement among all students. The Center for Learning & Teaching also strives to help faculty gain an “assurance that God has had his hand over this entire valley” (David O. McKay at the groundbreaking and dedication of the Church College of Hawaii, February 12, 1955) that they have a purpose in God’s work here, and inspire them to become positive contributors in the community.