Passion, purpose, and a pinch of personal history highlighted this month’s STAR Faculty Panel as three of Keuka College’s most consequential instructors shared insights from their careers, both in the classroom and in the field.
The Oct. 9 session, moderated by Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Heather Maldonado, spotlighted three faculty members who were recently honored by the College’s Faculty Development Committee:
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Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy Dr. Beth Jordan, who received the Excellence in Academic Advising award;
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Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Luciana Cursino Parent, who received the Excellence in Experiential Learning award; and
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Professor of Nursing and Program Director Dr. Beth Russo, who received the Excellence in Teaching award.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Heather Maldonado posed questions and shared insights with the STAR Faculty Panelists.
With a combined 40 years of experience at Keuka College, the trio discussed the changes and challenges that have come to their classrooms, and how they manage them to maximize instruction.
Dr. Russo, for example, discussed the importance of determining what aspects of past nursing practices are still important to bring into the classroom today. Through courses like Nursing History and Theory, students learn about foundational principles and the medical professionals who helped establish them.
“What we learn throughout the course,” she said, “is how the theories and the things that Florence Nightengale brought forward – like the importance of environmental health, the importance of using statistics and evidence-based practice – all of that is still very relevant today.”
She also addressed the expanded roles nurses play today as they assume more and more responsibilities once performed by a dwindling pool of general practitioners.
“Nursing’s history is really rooted in, when there’s a need in society, nurses step up and address those needs. That’s really where a lot of nursing roles and advanced-practice nursing roles have come from.”
“I think it’s really important for our nursing students – and all of our students – to appreciate really key skills that help them to be leaders. Because this is really about leadership in healthcare, or in other arenas,” Dr. Russo added.
The STAR instructors also fielded questions from audience members, which included students, staff, and faculty.
Dr. Cursino Parent cited the real-world instructional opportunities offered by Field Period® and other programs as key to educating well-rounded graduates.
“Creating exemplary citizens has to do with learning how to live in the real world through experiential learning. When you live in the real world and the questions that you face get you down, that’s when you become humble, you learn how to deal with people, you learn how to face problems, and you become a different person.”
Dr. Cursino Parent allowed that, because of the unpredictability of real-world research, projects can be “a wild ride” for students, but she stresses to them that the educational experience will always be worth it.
“It sounds naïve when you say it,” she said, “but if you go into a problem thinking that you can change the world, you will certainly not change the world, but you’re going to change yourself.”
Dr. Jordan highlighted the importance of advising students to find their passion when considering a career – something she models as an instructor and stresses as an academic advisor.
Students, faculty, and administrators were on hand to learn a little more about their professors and colleagues.
“I’m very passionate about OT; I live and breathe occupational therapy philosophy,” she said. “My favorite saying is, ‘It’s not what’s the matter with you, but what matters to you?’ I really bring that through with everything I do here at the College.
“In OT, we’re advising students to find a job – but more importantly, to find their passion. You’re going to get a paycheck anywhere, but what’s really important to you?”
Dr. Jordan said the College’s small class sizes allow her to create close ties with many of her students – another way to urge them toward dream-come-true careers.
“I love building relationships with the students. Learning where they’re from and what they’re passionate about. We may not be an R1 institution, but our students are doing amazing things here. I love to be able to cultivate that.”
Sponsored by the College’s Faculty Development Committee, the STAR Faculty Panel is held each semester to provide an opportunity for the College community to learn a little more about select instructors, including their teaching methods and experiences in and out of the classroom.
