In Pursuit of Excellence: Teaching in Christian Higher Education

Dr. Tom Doss welcomes Drs. Fred Volk and Fred Milacci, award-winning professors, research mentors, and published authors in the School of Behavioral Sciences at Liberty University. In this episode, Drs. Volk and Milacci discuss mentoring research students, outlining methods to encourage and empower up-and-coming researchers and writers as they journey through their dissertations.

Co-hosts, Drs. Alexandra Barnett and Tom Doss welcome Kjell Fenn, Assistant Professor of Education and Teaching Consultant in the Center for Teaching Excellence at Liberty University. In this episode, Professor Fenn discusses the need for students to have autonomy in higher education, and he shares practical tips on promoting student autonomy through interaction, active learning techniques, and relationship building.

Co-hosts, Kjell Fenn and Dr. Tom Doss welcome Dr. Shelah Simpson, Professor of English and Director of the Online Writing Center at Liberty University. In this episode, Dr. Simpson emphasizes the role of professors in coaching students as they transition from high school to higher education writing, highlighting the importance of improving academic writing skills, leveraging student writing resources such as writing centers, and encouraging academic integrity in the college classroom.

Dr. Tom Doss welcomes Dr. Shawn Bielicki, Associate Dean of the College of Applied Studies and Academic Success, and Dr. Alexandra Barnett, Director of Teaching Excellence at Liberty University. In this episode, Drs.

Bielicki and Barnett explain the process behind creating academic escape rooms for active learning and how critical thinking puzzles combined with teamwork can boost learning and student investment in higher education.

Co-hosts, Dr. Tom Doss and Kjell Fenn welcome Dr. Travis Holt, Associate Professor of English and a recipient of the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching at Liberty University. In this episode, Dr. Holt discusses teaching large lecture classes, sharing practical tips on facilitating large classes, fostering student engagement and relationships, and handling academic integrity concerns.

Co-hosts, Dr. Tom Doss and Kjell Fenn welcome Dr. Andrew Milacci, Professor of Spanish and a recipient of the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching at Liberty University. In this episode, Dr. Milacci discusses Project Based Learning (PBL), sharing best practices for implementing PBL, highlighting methods for overcoming common challenges associated with PBL, and providing practical examples of successful PBL implementation in the higher education classroom.

Co-hosts, Dr. Tom Doss and Kjell Fenn welcome Dr. Sam Smith, Professor, Graduate Program Director, and Chair in the Department of History at Liberty University. In this episode, Dr. Smith discusses making learning real through using field trips as learning opportunities, highlighting the impact that these trips have on student experiences.

Co-hosts, Dr. Tom Doss and Kjell Fenn welcome Audrey Hammond, Executive Director of LU Sent at Liberty University. In this episode, Audrey discusses study abroad opportunities and faculty-led trips, focusing on their positive benefit on students and the missional impact of Training Champions for Christ through international academic travel.

Co-hosts, Drs. Tom Doss and Alexandra Barnett welcome Dr. David Wheeler, Senior Executive Director of LU Shepherd in the Office of Spiritual Development and Professor of Evangelism in the Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University. In this episode, Dr. Wheeler discusses pastoral care on the Christian college campus, sharing practical tips for caring for students spiritually and encouraging faculty to follow the biblical mandate to pastor their students.

Co-hosts, Dr. Tom Doss and Kjell Fenn welcome Dr. Hailey Manicone, Executive Director of the Center for Applied Studies and Academic Success at Liberty University. In this episode, Dr. Manicone discusses student integration and retention, highlighting the importance of faculty involvement and sharing practical strategies for positively impacting new students in higher education.