Programs that have enhanced the teaching profession are described, as part of a competition sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (Showcase for Excellence Project). Member institutions of the association developed program models in seven categories requiring initiatives and innovation in the teaching profession. Brief descriptions of winning programs at 17 colleges and universities are provided, along with the name of the contact person and the telephone number. The programs are grouped by category: (1) attracting more talented students as majors in the field of education; (2) developing more innovative curricula in teacher preparation programs; (3) strengthening relationships with local school districts; (4) building and sustaining new strategies for involving the entire university in teacher preparation programs and enhancing the institutional climate for teaching and learning; (5) creating new strategies for ensuring the quality of education graduates; (6) initiating innovative applied research projects in education and disseminating the findings to schools and other campuses; and (7) discovering new ways of training teachers to deal with disadvantaged youth. (SW)