Teaching So Everyone Can Learn is a podcast exploring equity in higher education. fikayo odugbemi, Faculty Development Specialist at the Center for Faculty Excellence at New York Institute of Technology, talks with faculty about their effective practices and the strategies they use to reach all learners, and how individual faculty can make a difference by examining how they teach. #EquityInTeaching
In the newest episode of Teaching So Everyone Can Learn, I speak with Assistant Professor of Psychology & Counseling at the College of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Robert Alexander, about the power of flexibility in the classroom.
Flexibility is a core part of how Dr. Alexander designs an inclusive classroom experience. As we spoke, he highlighted key practices that have positively shaped his teaching and his ability to cultivate an environment where students trust him and feel set up to succeed. He starts by leveraging pre-course surveys to learn about his students before the semester begins, using those insights to make design adjustments or to stay aware of who might need extra support as the semester progresses. Dr. Alexander’s approach is rooted in inclusive teaching principles and the understanding that to teach flexibly is to stay responsive throughout the semester.
Subscribe and listen to the episode to learn more about the ways that Dr. Alexander engages his students and reflect on what strategies you might try in your own classroom.
15 Apr 2026
S2 E4: Dr. Mena Youssef: Activating the Power of Student Feedback
In the newest episode of Teaching So Everyone Can Learn, I speak with Teaching Associate Professor of Biological & Chemical Sciences at the College of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Mena Youssef about activating the power of student feedback.
As we spoke, Dr. Youssef emphasized how working with student feedback has impacted his teaching, student engagement, and learning outcomes. Student feedback to the instructor is crucial for improving teaching and learning outcomes. It not only offers an opportunity for faculty members to improve their pedagogical skills but also promotes a sense of collaboration between students and teachers, enriching the overall learning experience.
Dr. Youssef has successfully incorporated feedback into his teaching process, allowing him to make timely course corrections, strengthen his pedagogical skills, and create a learning environment that prioritizes growth and collaboration.
Subscribe and listen to the episode to learn more about the ways that Dr. Youssef engages his students and reflect on what strategies you might try in your own classroom.
25 Mar 2026
S2 E3 Dr. Jessica Hautsch: Building Community in Classrooms
In this episode of Teaching So Everyone Can Learn, I speak with Teaching Assistant Professor of Humanities at the College of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Jessica Hautsch, about building community in in-person and online learning spaces.
A recurring theme during our conversation is the role of community in shaping students’ learning experiences and their potential to succeed. This is particularly important, yet tricky, when teaching online. The online space can be tough for students; it can feel lonely and unsupportive, but its affordances also give teachers opportunities to engage students in meaningful and transformative ways.
Dr. Hautsch shared her strategies for creating learning spaces where students feel the presence of her as their teacher, and the presence of their classmates as allies and collaborators.
Subscribe and listen to the episode to learn about the ways that Dr. Hautsch designs belonging into her teaching and to reflect on what strategies you might try in your own classroom.
28 Jan 2026
S2 E2 Dr. Felipe Henao: Cultivating a Culture of Care
In this episode of Teaching So Everyone Can Learn, I speak with Dean of Students, Felipe Henao, M.A., Ed.D., about the importance of cultivating a culture of care through meaningful connections with students and how this work directly supports student success.
A central theme of the conversation with Dr. Henao is the idea that a culture of care does not emerge by accident. It is intentionally cultivated through everyday practices and institutional commitment. Dr. Henao emphasized the importance of weaving care into the fabric of New York Tech, approaching this work as a shared responsibility across roles and contexts.
Subscribe and listen to the episode to learn more about how Dr. Henao and his team are working with students, faculty, and staff to cultivate a culture of care at New York Tech and to reflect on your own role in supporting student success.
18 Nov 2025
S2 E1 Millie Gonzalez: Libraries as Spaces of Connection
In this episode, host fikayo odugbemi talks with Millie Gonzalez, Dean of Libraries at New York Tech, about how libraries serve as a partner to foster institutional belonging. Together, they explore the role of libraries as “third spaces” that foster belonging, provide opportunities for connection, and support student success. #EquityInTeaching
6 Oct 2025
Introducing Season 2 of Teaching so Everyone Can Learn
Welcome back to Teaching So Everyone Can Learn—a podcast from the Center for Faculty Excellence at New York Tech. In this new season, host Fikayo Odugbemi, a faculty development specialist at the Center, explores the connection between belonging and student success with faculty and staff across New York Tech. Together, they answer the questions: What does it mean to belong on a college campus? And how can we, in our different roles, create spaces that support every student’s sense of connection, identity, and growth?
We hope you’ll enjoy these conversations and come away with practical ideas and inspiration for your own work as a student-centered educator.
Be sure to join us for Episode 1, where Fikayo talks with Dean of Libraries Millie Gonzalez about cultivating institutional belonging through third spaces and campus resources.
Subscribe so you don’t miss it—this season is full of insight, reflection, and inspiration for anyone passionate about teaching and learning.
14 Sept 2021
S1 E10 Wenjia Li: Engaging Students at Different Levels
Join us to discuss the challenge of engaging students at different levels, and the anonymity of Zoom with Wenjia Li, associate professor, Computer Science, in the College of Engineering & Computing Sciences at New York Tech. #EquityInTeaching
14 Sept 2021
S1 E9 Cecilia Dong: Teaching with Empathy and Compassion
Practicing empathy and compassion with your students can help you understand them better. Join us for a conversation with Cecilia Dong, associate professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, in the College of Engineering & Computing Sciences at New York Tech. #EquityInTeaching
14 Sept 2021
S1 E8 Jason Van Nest: Empowering Students to Find Their Own Way
Join us to discuss how he empowers his students to find their own way as they learn with Jason Van Nest, associate professor, Architecture, in the School of Architecture & Design at New York Tech. #EquityInTeaching
14 Sept 2021
S1 E7 Marcella Del Signore: Virtual Communities of Practice
“You can’t be a passive learner in architecture!” So says Marcella Del Signore, associate professor, Architecture, in the School of Architecture & Design at New York Tech, who joins us to discuss how her students formed a virtual community of practice. #EquityInTeaching
14 Sept 2021
S1 E6 John Misak: Teaching Technical Writing with Virtual Reality
Join us to discuss how he makes technical writing interesting and the multiple ways he uses technology to engage his students (including experiencing Hamlet through virtual reality) with John Misak, assistant professor, English, in the College of Arts & Sciences at New York Tech. #EquityInTeaching
14 Sept 2021
S1 E5 Colleen Kirk: Authentic Assessment in Virtual Learning Environments
Join us to discuss the value of authentic assessment in a virtual learning environment with Colleen Kirk, associate professor, Management and Marketing studies, in the School of Management at New York Tech. #EquityInTeaching
14 Sept 2021
S1 E4 Mena Youssef: Scholarly Teaching and Asking Students For Feedback
Mena Youssef, teaching assistant professor, Biological & Chemical Sciences, in the College of Arts & Sciences at New York Tech, joins us to discuss his scholarly approach to teaching and learning. Mena uses multiple educational technologies to actively engage students, surveys them frequently to gather information about how they are learning, and changes his course design based on their feedback. #EquityInTeaching
14 Sept 2021
S1 E3 Nicole Calma-Roddin: Transitioning from Synchronous to Blended Learning
Join us to discuss the transition from synchronous to blended learning, and creative incorporation of Google Suite as a collaborative tool, with Nicole Calma-Roddin, assistant professor, Behavioral Sciences, from the College of Arts & Sciences at New York Tech. #EquityInTeaching
14 Sept 2021
S1 E2 Melissa Huey: Researching Technology-Free Classrooms During a Pandemic
Melissa Huey, assistant professor, Behavioral Sciences, from the College of Arts & Sciences at New York Tech, joins us to discuss her research about how students learn when technology is removed from the classroom, and how COVID-19 disrupted her research, forced her to abandon her “no technology” policy, and how that has transformed the way she teaches. #EquityInTeaching
14 Sept 2021
S1 E1 Alex Rothstein: Active Discussions on Zoom
Join us to discuss how to increase student participation in Zoom discussions and encourage students to turn on their cameras with Alex Rothstein, coordinator of the new Exercise Science program in the School of Health Professions at New York Tech. #EquityInTeaching
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