UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Office for General Education has announced the newest group of Faculty Scholars who will help advance the teaching and learning of general education across the University.
The Faculty Scholars program unites faculty leaders from across Penn State to elevate the role of General Education in cultivating engaged citizenship and preparing students for dynamic career paths. Through the development of critical and creative thinking, essential skills for a resilient workforce, General Education empowers students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Each scholar serves a three-year term and contributes to projects that support curriculum development, assessment and teaching practices.
Returning scholar Lori Bedell, associate teaching professor of communication arts and sciences and returning Scholar, said last year she was excited to have the chance to contribute to creative communication about the importance of general education and said she found it “unbelievably fun and rewarding.”
“This year looks to be just as wonderful,” Bedell said. “I’m part of another team of brilliant, kind colleagues and I’m excited to help gather information and create programming that will help us all understand the challenges, benefits and concerns about artificial intelligence in our teaching of gen ed courses. I'm already learning a lot and our team has only just begun.”
She added it is as important than ever to communicate the importance of general education to students.
“Over the years, I've heard students say, ‘I don't understand why I need all these classes that don't have anything to do with my major,’” Bedell said. “As an instructor of many gen eds over my career, it's been very satisfying to see those ideas turn around over the course of a semester, but more students seem to be saying it than 10 or 15 years ago.”
Maggie Slattery, director and assistant dean for General Education, said, "The General Education Scholars is a unique program where faculty who would unlikely cross each other’s path get to work together on exciting projects to support teaching and learning in General Education. Working with the scholars is a thrill for me and provides an opportunity for us to highlight their exceptional work across the University."
New scholars
The incoming General Education Faculty Scholars are:
- Elizabeth "Liz" Flaherty, assistant teaching professor of art, Penn State Lehigh Valley
- Noel Sloboda, professor of English and creative writing, Penn State York
- Nima Khodakarami, assistant professor of health policy and administration, Penn State Beaver
- Yvonne Love, associate professor of art, Penn State Abington
- Lolita Paff, associate professor of business economics, Penn State Berks
- Bill Goffe, teaching professor of economics, College of the Liberal Arts, University Park
- William "Will" Horton, assistant teaching professor of biobehavioral health, College of Health and Human Development, University Park and World Campus
- Fernanda Bonafini, associate teaching professor of mathematics, Eberly College of Science, University Park
- Betsy Campbell, associate professor of information sciences and technology, University Park
- Michael Pagano, assistant teaching professor of astronomy, Eberly College of Science, University Park
Returning Faculty Scholars
Several current Faculty Scholars will continue their terms:
- Lori Bedell, associate teaching professor of communication arts and sciences, College of the Liberal Arts, University Park and World Campus
- Jeff Stoyanoff, assistant professor of English, Penn State Altoona
- Arpan Yagnik, associate professor of communication, Penn State Behrend
- Steele Nowlin, teaching professor of English, College of the Liberal Arts, University Park
- Peter Aeschbacher, associate professor of landscape architecture and architecture, Stuckeman School, University Park
Faculty Scholars’ contributions
Faculty Scholars collaborate on projects that enhance General Education across Penn State. Their work has included:
- Developing new professional development opportunities for faculty who teach General Education courses
- Supporting assessment of General Education in partnership with the Office for Planning, Assessment and Institutional Research
- Building communities of practice around themes such as civic engagement teaching
- Creating and expanding experiential learning opportunities for students
The Office for General Education is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.