Faculty scholarship is central to enhancing biology education for undergraduate students and future teachers. As illustrated, faculty find both cooperation and competition from many sources in their commitment to teaching. Academic departments, research groups, students, publications, and funding agencies contribute resources and responsibilities to a broad view of faculty scholarship that includes teaching, research and service. Professional societies support faculty in their professional and scholarly pursuits. CELS, a national coalition of professional societies committed to improving undergraduate biology education, recognizes that the faculty scholar is central to the learning experience.