Marybeth Norcross, M.S.Ed., is a Teaching and Learning Specialist and Assistant Professor in the Educational and Student Success Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where she has served since 2015. With a graduate degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Central Arkansas, she brings more than a decade of experience in academic support, instructional design, and faculty development.
At UAMS, Ms. Norcross has developed and led a comprehensive academic coaching program supporting hundreds of students annually across the College of Health Professions and beyond. She collaborates directly with faculty across multiple programs to design remediation plans, deliver targeted coaching, and strengthen early intervention systems to prevent academic struggles and improve student retention. Her coaching program integrates evidence-based strategies in time management, study skills, test preparation, and metacognitive development.
Ms. Norcross is a campus leader in faculty development, delivering workshops on peer observation, learning outcomes, effective feedback, and time management through the UAMS Educator’s Academy and Interprofessional Faculty Development programs. She also facilitates interprofessional education (IPE) workshops and has conducted peer teaching observations for faculty across multiple colleges. In recent years, she has provided continuing education programming to external audiences, including the United States Air Force 29th Weapons Squadron.
Her scholarly contributions focus on bridging academic support with instructional effectiveness. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed presentations at national conferences, including American Physical Therapy Association Educational Leadership Conference (APTA ELC), and is a co-investigator on a Chancellor’s Circle-funded project to connect faculty development with student success. In addition, she has published numerous reflective and instructional blogs for UAMS and contributed to internal academic affairs newsletters on learner engagement and educational best practices.
Ms. Norcross’s expertise is widely recognized and she is available for coaching educators or students as well as consulting with Higher Ed institutions.. She was a finalist for the 2013 Arkansas Teacher of the Year award and has been nominated for UAMS’s Academic Affairs Faculty Member of the Year. Her innovative, learner-centered approach continues to impact students, faculty, and academic leadership alike.