E237: Efren Velazquez: Student to colleague, building community, mentorship, and personal growth
In this episode Eric interviews Efren Velazquez from the University of North Georgia in Gainsville, GA. Efren reflects on his 13-year journey since graduating from Boise State University. They discuss his career progression, including his promotion to associate professor and imminent consideration for full professorship. The conversation delves into the challenges and self-doubt faced during the tenure process, often referred to as imposter syndrome. He shares his experience launching a community-focused family literacy program with his department chair and the importance of involving students in community engagement. They also reminisce about their mentor-mentee relationship at Boise State and the significant role mentorship plays in academic and professional development. Future aspirations, including potential administrative roles and other key anecdotes, round out this insightful episode. [Note: Portions of the show notes were generated using Descript AI.]
-------- Â
58:03
--------
58:03
E236: Mitch Handelsman: Education, ethics, music, and AI
In this episode Eric interviews Mitch Handelsman from the University of Colorado Denver, in Denver, CO. They engage in a spirited conversation about various topics, including university mottos and logos, the history of their academic careers, and the impact of AI on teaching and learning. Mitch elaborates on his background, the influence of his family, and his journey through academia. The conversation also touches upon the challenges of retirement, the role of luck and effort in career success, and how AI is reshaping educational practices. Mitch emphasizes the importance of adapting teaching methods to meet the needs of an ever-changing student demographic and the significance of ethical considerations in the age of AI. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]
-------- Â
59:24
--------
59:24
Sidebar 29: Psychology Research Experience Preparedness (PREP) program
In this sidebar episode Eric interviews Malin Lilley (Texas A&M University-Central Texas), Dawn Weatherford (Texas A&M University-San Antonio), and Ho Huynh (Australian National University). They discuss the development and impact of the Psychology Research Experience Preparedness (PREP) program. Designed by three psychology colleagues, PREP aims to equip undergraduates with the knowledge and confidence needed to participate in research experiences early in their academic careers. The program includes various modules covering essential topics like the research process, ethics, professionalism, and more. The creators emphasize its potential as an equalizer for students at different preparedness levels and highlight its utility for instructors by integrating it into their courses. Funded by NSF, PREP is free, openly accessible, and tailored not just for top-tier students but for all who might benefit from early exposure to research. For more on PREP: https://tinyurl.com/PREPPSYC [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.] Â
-------- Â
28:03
--------
28:03
E235 Jon Grahe Part 2 (edited)
In this episode Eric interviews Jon Grahe from the Gaffney Group and Illumin Analytics in a Part 2 interview. They discuss his journey from being a psychology professor to working in sales, particularly in the solar and roofing industries, and now as an advanced funeral planner. Jon shares his experiences of door-to-door sales, the challenges and insights gained, and how his background in psychology has been instrumental in his new roles. He emphasizes the importance of pre-planning funeral arrangements and the emotional aspects of his current role. The conversation also touches on Jon's passion for environmental conservation, particularly his interest in beavers and their role in wetlands. Despite the career shift, Jon remains actively engaged in academic projects and continues to contribute to scholarly work, highlighting the flexibility and opportunities that his new career path provides. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]
-------- Â
54:13
--------
54:13
E234: Mary Kite: Career reflections, a new chapter, and an academic legacy
In this episode Eric interviews Mary Kite from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Mary shares her recent retirement journey and the factors influencing her decision, including personal loss and the changing landscape of higher education. The discussion delves into the impact of legislative changes on academic freedom and the introduction of AI in education. She reflects on her extensive career, the evolution of teaching psychology, and the importance of following one's passion. Offering advice to new educators, she emphasizes maintaining a work-life balance and avoiding the pitfalls of comparison. The episode concludes with an optimistic outlook on academic life and the lasting impact educators have on their students. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]
About PsychSessions: Conversations about Teaching N' Stuff
The PsychSessions podcast is co-hosted by Garth Neufeld from Cascadia College and Eric Landrum from Boise State University. We leverage our connections with psychology teachers from all levels (high school, community college, college, university) and individuals from other occupations to have meaningful conversations about what it means to be an educator. Of course, we veer away from the teaching conversation from time to time to hear about origin stories and the personal perspectives of our guests, touching on current events and topics of interest.
Our ASKPsychSessions feature is hosted by Marianne Lloyd from Seton Hall University. For ASKPsychSessions, listeners can submit questions about teaching and learning, and Marianne interviews experts and posts short features with the question and answer together. These features are often thematically grouped, such as information about using learning science to improve psychology instruction or various aspects of improving equity, diversity, and inclusion in your course.
Ireland