Teaching Philosophy
I believe that education has the power to inspire and to be profoundly transformative. Teaching is a necessary part of the educational equation as experiences without direction are too open to deliver on that transformational and inspirational promise. As I have taught recent courses, I have thought about how I could create a learning environment in which the tools, knowledge, and culture of the classroom as an activity system could become a community of practice that is an extension of the world in which students will find themselves when they have completed their course of study. I believe that teaching and learning is a mutually constituted experience between the student and the educator in which both aptitude and a willingness to admit ignorance are on display. As a result, I see my role as something of a player/manager in which I must simultaneously direct the team while being a part of it. I believe that learning is a process of becoming, which involves matters of participation and identity; this requires me to be keenly aware of the uniqueness of the students in my courses and the valuable contributions each of them makes. I strive to make any educational endeavor I undertake a high-impact practice and I aim to include elements of good practice in education such as high expectations, investment of time and effort, meaningful interactions, and exposure to new and diverse perspectives.
A more detailed overview of my teaching philosophy is available to download.
Teaching Experience
Graduate Courses - University of South Carolina
EDHE 833 – Contemporary Trends and Issues in Higher Education, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019
EDHE 830 - Organization, Administration, and Governance of Higher Education, Spring 2020
Graduate Course - University of Georgia
ECHD 7940 – Research Methods in College Student Affairs (Teaching Intern), Spring 2011
Undergraduate Courses - University of South Carolina
University 101 – First Year Seminar, Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013, Fall 2005
EDHE 600 – Residence Life Staff Class, Spring 2006, Fall 2005, Fall 2004
Undergraduate Course - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
UNIV 2394 – Intro. to Residence Education (Teaching Assistant), Fall 2002
Online Courses - National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, University of South Carolina
Made to Measure: Intermediate Principles of Assessment, June 2017, May 2015
Proving and Improving: Foundations of First-Year Assessment, August 2018, September 2016, August 2014
Guest Lectures
University of South Carolina
EDHE 839 – Assessment in Higher Education, “Use of CAS Standards in student affairs assessment”, October 2018, March 2018, November 2017, March 2017, October 2016
EDHE 731 – Student Affairs in Higher Education, “Professionalization of student affairs and the CAS Standards”, October 2017, September 2016
Utah State University
TEAL 6850 – Introduction to Leadership in Student Affairs/Higher Education, “Intentionally designing student success programs”, September 2018
University of Georgia
ECHD 9480 – The American College Student, “Surveying the National Landscape of First-Year Seminars: A High-Impact Practice”, June 2018, June 2016, June 2015, June 2014
ECHD 7940 – Research Methods in College Student Affairs, “Quantitative Methods Section”, March 2012