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Webinar On-Demand

Why Students Recommend Professors: Good Teaching Through Student Eyes

About

A recent study conducted by the ACUE, with support from Lumina Foundation, offers a refreshing perspective on what students truly value in their college experience: quality teaching. 

The study, which used survey responses from over 1,300 students across 22 higher education institutions, underscores that effective teaching is not just about clearly conveying subject matter—it is also about supporting and actively engaging students. The results show that students are more likely to recommend professors who help them navigate challenging concepts, offer clear expectations, and create an environment where they feel supported.

This webinar brings together a member of the ACUE research team, a faculty member certified in ACUE’s Framework, and a professional academic advisor/adjunct instructor to discuss the findings and their impact on teaching and learning in 2024 and beyond.

Meet the Panel

Picture of Host: Adam Smith
Host: Adam Smith

Nationally Recognized Higher Education Expert

About Adam Smith

Adam A. Smith is a first-generation college graduate who has dedicated his almost three-decade career to ensuring college access and success for all Americans.

He served as the founding Director of the TRIO Upward Bound program at Rock Valley College and later as the college’s Dean of Students. He taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, and was appointed to serve as the City of Rockford’s (IL) “Education Czar” to former mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey.

Adam worked at Metropolitan State University as Director of Multicultural, American Indian and Retention Services, The University of Alabama as Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising and Student Success and at The University of Akron as Assistant Vice President of Student Success.

He also has undergraduate admissions experience from his time at The University of Tennessee. Smith currently works at the University of Kentucky as Executive Director for University Academic Advising and has a vibrant public speaking and educational consulting firm, Smith Education Associates, LLC and is the host of The Get Uncomfortable podcast and is represented by the Institute of Democratic Education & Culture, “SpeakOut”, the nation’s only social justice speaker agency. Adam has built successful coalitions and initiatives that have transformed high school graduation rates, college enrollment and success for students throughout the nation.

Bio
Picture of Paloma Benavides, PhD
Paloma Benavides, PhD

Research Associate, ACUE

About Paloma Benavides, PhD

Paloma Benavides is a Research Associate at ACUE, where she primarily works on measuring the impact of ACUE’s courses in effective teaching. She was drawn to ACUE because she strongly aligns with ACUE’s multidisciplinary and evidence-based approach to understanding teaching practices and student performance, and its commitment to equity and student success.  

Prior to working with ACUE, Paloma worked as a consultant in social influence to develop a safety culture among miners of Minera Spence in Chile. She also served as a teaching assistant in Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile and in Korea University in South Korea. At Korea University, she conducted research as part of the Cultural & Social Psychology Lab, where she focused on investigating cross-cultural differences in identity, existential goals, and motivation, and how these shape everyday cultural behavior. 

She graduated summa cum laude from Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile, where she earned a BA in Psychology and a MA in Counseling Psychology. She holds a PhD in Social Psychology with a focus on Cultural Psychology from Korea University in South Korea. 

Bio
Picture of Dr. Alicia Abney
Dr. Alicia Abney

Academic Advisor for Gatton College of Business & Economics and Part-time Faculty Member, University of Kentucky

Dr. Alicia Abney

As a primary role academic advisor and part time faculty member in higher education, Dr. Alicia Abney is serious about her work as a cultural navigator for today’s students. She works hard to ensure that her conversations are with students and never at students.

Dr. Abney currently serves as an Academic Advisor for Gatton College of Business & Economics at the University of Kentucky as well as a part-time faculty member for the university. She has extensive teaching and academic advising experience, including advising administration, advisor training and development, and advising research.

Prior to entering the higher education profession, Dr. Abney was a high school English teacher in Indiana. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in English with a secondary education minor at Indiana University, a Master of Arts in Student Development Counseling & Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Specialist in Education (Ed.S) in Administration & Supervision – Higher Education from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from East Tennessee State University. 

Bio
Picture of Jillian Wilson, PsyD, BCBA-D®
Jillian Wilson, PsyD, BCBA-D®

Assistant Professor and Program Director of the online Applied Behavior Analysis programs, Regis College

About Jillian Wilson, PsyD, BCBA-D®

Jillian Wilson, PsyD, BCBA-D® is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the online Applied Behavior Analysis programs at Regis College in Weston, MA. Dr. Wilson has been teaching online graduate courses since 2016 and joined Regis College to develop the online ABA programs in 2018. She completed coursework and earned her ACUE Certificate in Effective College Instruction in April 2023. 

Dr. Wilson is a licensed clinical psychologist and behavior analyst in her home state of Massachusetts. She has practiced psychology and behavior analysis since 2011, and has a diverse background with specialized knowledge in the assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders and severe behavior disorders. 

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Wilson currently treats patients at the Center for Pediatric Neurodiversity, offers online behavior-focused parenting courses through her company, Momentum Parenting, and speaks on behavioral approaches to general parenting concerns as a co-host of the Momentum Parenting podcast.

Dr. Wilson earned a bachelors in Psychology and Disability Studies from the University of Massachusetts and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Wilson completed her clinical psychology internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, and her post-doctoral residency treating pediatric feeding disorders at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Dr. Wilson’s recent research and publications include the treatment of pediatric feeding disorders, parent/caregiver training and perceptions of ABA strategies, and the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior.

Bio

Conversational interviews will be followed by a robust question and answer period where participants will have the opportunity to engage with each other and the panelists to unpack the recurring themes in student feedback regarding the likelihood of recommending an instructor to a peer and how to apply those key themes into your instructional practice. 

During this webinar, you will learn to: 

  • Review the findings of the Lumina funded study, based on ACUE Student Surveys, to enhance your classroom experience and teaching methodology.
  • Discover effective communication strategies that college students in 2024 perceive as being clear and can be applied across diverse student populations.
  • How to develop a classroom experience that facilitates positive interactions with students.
  • Explore active learning strategies that engage students and create a sense of belonging.
  • Identify ways to prioritize student well-being so that every student feels supported in your classroom.

Clarity is Key

40 percent of students emphasized the importance of instructional clarity, praising professors who could simplify complex topics and provide transparent guidance on their expectations.

Active Learning Matters

Students also gravitated toward professors who engaged them with interactive methods. Nearly a third commented on whether instructors brought real-world relevance into the classroom and actively engaged students.

Support Makes a Difference

A quarter of students focused on how much support instructors provided. Instructors were appreciated for their responsiveness, offering additional resources and guidance, and showing genuine care for student success.

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