Many excellent books have been written for administrators about motivating faculty. Some books have been written about being an academic. Books have been written about the reward system. Others have been written on improving student learning. Some books have been written on measuring effective teaching. Some books are written only for administrators; others, only for individual faculty. None have been written so as to integrate all of these and address them as a whole.

This volume provides a timely discussion on the issues pondering in the minds of many newly recruited faculty and administrators—to uncover the real culture and offer suggestions on how to create a culture to nurture student learning; and to explore the issue of what is research-in-teaching. With improving student learning as the ultimate goal, the author suggests many concrete ways to change the teaching practice and, more importantly, the culture of a university.

Readers will appreciate the eight inventories provided for improving and monitoring student's learning. Checklists and end-of-chapter reflections are also of great practical help.