Craig Engstrom is the assistant provost for faculty excellence and director of the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE) at North Central College. Prior to joining North Central, he served as Executive Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he led institution-wide initiatives in faculty development, instructional innovation, digital learning, and student success.
A human communication scholar by training, Craig's work spans instructional communication, business communication, persuasion, and talent development. His research explores how language, relationships, and shared narratives influence learning, leadership, and institutional effectiveness. More recently, his scholarship has examined faculty and student perceptions of artificial intelligence and the role of communication in navigating technological change.
Throughout his career, Craig has worked at the intersection of teaching, technology, and organizational development. He has led initiatives in faculty onboarding, online and hybrid learning, accessibility, learning analytics, strategic planning, and workforce-aligned education. He is particularly interested in helping institutions adapt to emerging challenges while maintaining a strong commitment to student learning, faculty success, and institutional mission.
Craig is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), the highest credential from the Association for Talent Development. The CPTD designation reflects his commitment to evidence-based approaches to learning, leadership, and organizational development.