Chris Hakala, PhD is Executive Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship and Professor of Psychology at Springfield College. A faculty developer and cognitive psychologist with over 20 years of experience as a professor and teaching center director, Dr. Hakala helps faculty translate the science of learning into practical classroom strategies that improve student engagement and learning. His research and professional work focus on reading comprehension, teaching and learning, effective faculty development, assessment, and the application of cognitive psychology to higher education pedagogy. He received his PhD and MA in Experimental Psychology from the University of New Hampshire and his BA in Psychology from Castleton State College. Prior to joining Springfield College, Dr. Hakala served as founding director of the teaching center at Quinnipiac University and directed the Center for Teaching and Learning at Western New England University. He is co-editor of Applying Science of Learning in Education and co-author of Assessing Undergraduate Learning in Psychology, and has presented widely at conferences, colleges, and universities on evidence-based teaching, large-class instruction, and strategies for maximizing student learning.