Faculty Affiliates

The CTE Faculty Affiliates Program highlights the innovative teaching practices of SMU faculty with their peers. Each fall and spring semester, the CTE Advisory Board selects two faculty members who lead four pedagogical presentations designed to inspire dialogue, collaboration, and continuous improvement in teaching across disciplines.

Each selected CTE Faculty Affiliate receives a $1,000 dollar stipend divided into four $250 awards per presentation.

Apply Now to become our next CTE Faculty Affiliate!

Apply Here!

Spring 2026 CTE Faculty Affiliates

We are happy to announce the Spring 2026 CTE Faculty Affiliates: Dr. Rodrigo Lopez from the World Languages and Literatures Department and Dr. Justin Fisher from the Philosophy Department.

Dr. Justin Fisher

Justin Fisher is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at SMU.  His research and teaching focus upon philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, epistemology and philosophy of technology.  As may be fitting for his courses on Technology, Society and Value, and on Minds, Brains, and Robotics, he has been exploring ways of using artificial intelligence both as a learning aid and as an object lesson for students. 

Rodrigo López, M.A.

Rodrigo López is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at Southern Methodist University, where he joined the faculty in Fall 2023. Before coming to SMU, he taught at several universities across the Dallas–Fort Worth area, including the University of North Texas, Tarrant County College, and Tarleton State University. Rodrigo earned his M.A. in Spanish from the University of North Texas, where his research centered on the Mexican horror narrative and the works of author Amparo Dávila.

As an educator, Rodrigo is deeply committed to innovation in language teaching and is a strong advocate for the use of cutting-edge technology in the classroom. He integrates interactive platforms, digital tools, and creative media to enhance student engagement and foster meaningful learning experiences. His dedication to pedagogical innovation has led him to present workshops for colleagues on using technology to transform the classroom experience, inspire curiosity, and promote active learning.

Attend a CTE session led by a CTE Affiliate

  • Online Discussions in the Age of Chatbots | Friday, January 16 | 9:15-9:45 am (Part of the 2026 CTE Spring Kickoff)
  • A Taste of Active Learning: Transforming Lessons with Genially | Friday, January 16 | 9:45-10:15 am (Part of the 2026 CTE Spring Kickoff)
  • How (and whether) to create an AI Teaching Assistant | Wednesday, February 4 | 12-12:50 pm
  • Teaching with the Brain in Mind: Strategies for Making Your Content Stick | Tuesday, February 10 | 12-12:50 pm
  • Using AI to Administer Oral Exams | Wednesday, March 4 | 12-12:50 pm
  • Design for Focus: How and When to Split Instructional Load | Tuesday, March 10 | 12-12:50 pm
  • Alternative Attendance Policies | Wednesday, April 1 | 12-12:50 pm
  • No More Boring Lectures: Keeping Students Focused and Engaged with Mentimeter | Tuesday, April 7 | 12-12:50 pm

All sessions are held in Gerald J. Ford Hall 124 and most are also available via Zoom. To register for the CTE Faculty Affiliates workshops visit https://booking.smu.edu/calendar/cte.

Previous CTE Faculty Affiliates

See a list of our distiguished CTE Faculty Affiliates who have presented with the CTE.