In March 2021, six Kovener fellows presented at the American Association of Colleges and Universities Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success .
Presenters: Professor Cara Caddoo, Caliel Hines (undergraduate student), Mansi Joshi (graduate student), Gabbie Latimer (undergraduate student), Eric McKenzie (graduate student), Professor Martha Oakley.
Conference session title: Inclusivity through Engaged Pedagogy: A Student-Faculty Program's Impact
Conference session description: A diverse group of faculty and students—undergraduate and graduate—illustrate what is involved in being actively committed to a process of self-actualization in a manner that empowers both teachers and learners. Through a facilitated discussion, session participants will learn about a teaching initiative that, for more than a year, has uniquely brought together twenty student and faculty fellows for discussion and mentorship in a five-person pod to dialogue and listen to one another on matters of inclusive pedagogy. Drawing on the fellows' structured interactions, this session illuminates the generative process involved when teachers and students embark on a joint journey to create a brave space. It is a space where, through student feedback, teachers have sustained opportunities to identify and verbalize their own values, motives, strengths, and limitations in their pedagogical practice and where faculty are willing to struggle along with students in ways students rarely get to see.
AACU Conference: Diversity, Equity, and Student Success
Uniquely, this program brings together twenty student and faculty fellows for dialogue, exploration, and mentorship in a five-person pod that includes two undergraduate students, a graduate student, and a senior and a junior faculty member. Through a carefully designed set of readings, dialogues, and pedagogical exercises, Kovener Fellows explore how best to make College classrooms inclusive spaces where all students—regardless of their identity or background—can participate fully in the learning process.
Some interrelated questions fellows address include: How do we support all students’ engagement with subject material? How do we situate learning within students’ own contexts while exploring those contexts? With the goal of motivating students to take control of their learning, how do we recognize them, ensure their voices are heard, draw relevant connections to their lives, and respond to their concerns?
Now in our 5th year of the program, together, faculty and student fellows will continue to practice a mixture of intrapersonal and interpersonal teacher/learner awareness; cultivate their knowledge of inclusive practices; and adopt and implement student-centered pedagogies.
For more information, or if you are interested in becoming a Kovener fellow, please contact Carmen Henne-Ochoa at ochoac@iu.edu.
AACU Conference: Diversity, Equity, and Student Success
In March 2021, six Kovener fellows presented at the American Association of Colleges and Universities Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success.
Read more about the conference