Faculty+Start-Up+August+21,+2014


 * Faculty Start-Up August 21, 2014 - Harcum Colleg**e

Topic - Encouraging Creativity, Innovation, and Student Engagement

Presenters: Dr. Cathy Littlefield, Dr. Meghan Radosh, Dr. Laura Taddei

We will share and discuss qualitative research collected during faculty development sessions where faculty shared their ideas about and challenges in using creativity and innovation in their classrooms to engage students. We’ll share these ideas and recommendations with our main goal of increasing student engagement and learning. We also will ask participants to share ideas and suggestions during our session to add to the current data. Four main themes arose from current conversations with faculty: active learning, community building, collaboration, and risk taking.

Learning goals: • Discuss current techniques used to improve teaching and learning • Identify sources and resources to promote innovation and creativity • Plan ways to integrate new technology or innovative techniques to increase student engagement.



Bios:

Dr. Cathy M. Littlefield combines six of higher educational experience along with 24 years in the hospitality and manufacturing industries, and business ownership to create a learning environment that is highly engaging. She holds the position of Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership and Management in Graduate Studies at Peirce College in Philadelphia. An entrepreneur by nature, she is innovative with learning modalities, educational technology, and course design which are geared toward to adult learner. Her research interests include hybrid course design, professional development, civic engagement and service learning, and improving the experience of the adult learner. Dr. Littlefield earned a Doctorate in Education, Higher Education Academic Leadership from Widener University; Master's of Business Administration from West Chester University; and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Widener University.

Meghan Radosh, Ed.D. is the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement at Widener University in Chester, Pa. Since 2000, Dr. Radosh has been with Widener University for over 14 years where she started out as the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement. As part of the Alumni Engagement staff, she is the project manager for Homecoming/Reunion Weekend, the annual Alumni Awards Celebration, and our alumni net community, Widener Pride Net. Dr. Radosh also oversees alumni communication and social media outreach. She is an active member of CASE for 10 years and has been an active volunteer with their conference planning. For the past year served on the CASE District II board as Treasurer. Dr. Radosh has a Doctorate in Education, a Masters in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelors in Psychology from Widener University.

Dr. Taddei is a leader in higher education with a mix of administrative and teaching responsibilities and is currently an Assistant Professor of Education at Neumann University. She is a professional development speaker in both higher education and PreK-12 settings. Dr. Taddei provides fun and interactive professional development geared towards institutional needs. Her research interests are in the area of teacher and faculty development, culturally responsive teaching, building community within classrooms and institutions, and inclusion and diversity. Dr. Taddei has a Doctorate in Education from Widener University, a Masters in Education from Cabrini College, and a Bachelors in Organizational Dynamics and Human Performance Management from Immaculata University.