In Episode 53 of Centering Centers, we hear from three brand new educational developers who recently attended the POD Conference in November of 2023. Grouped in the "getting started" two day workshop, these new PODsters share their takeaways and reflections on their experience. This conversation will be of interest to those who are new to an educational development role as well as to those who lead and mentor new educational developers, as each of the three brings a unique disciplinary perspective and each is at very different places in their professional careers.

Dr. Rebecca Conley joined the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Saint Peter’s University in 2016, and she has been the Director of Faculty Research and Development since 2022.  She earned her BA in mathematics and political science from Pace University, her MA in pure mathematics from Hunter College and her PhD in applied mathematics from Stony Brook University.  She is the PI of the LEAPS S-STEM grant, which is in its third year and supports low-income, high-achieving students who are majoring in STEM.

DeElla Wiley joined the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at Auburn University in 2022 as a graduate teaching assistant and transitioned into a full-time position in 2023. She earned her BA in English in 2009, MA in English Literature in 2012, and a Master of Technical and Professional Communication degree in 2023 from Auburn University.  She has taught or developed curriculum in English and ESL in community colleges and at Auburn, and managed instructors who served under-represented minority students. In her current role at the Biggio Center, she creates and facilitates teaching and learning professional development opportunities for Auburn's academic community, including facilitating the Teaching with AI course that has nearly 5,000 learners from nearly 40 institutions across the country.