Lifelong learning: Nostalgia in the World Today

Lifelong learning: Nostalgia in the World Today

Lifelong learning about the world began with my study abroad experiences in Prague and Moscow as a college student. Ever since those defining moments so many years ago, I relish any opportunity to travel and immerse myself in world cultures.

Middle Class Joe and Empathy

Middle Class Joe and Empathy

In his speech at the Democratic Convention in July 2016, Vice President Joe Biden explained why he is called “Middle Class Joe” in Washington, DC. He said “It means you’re not sophisticated.” Not sophisticated in the opinion of some perhaps, but

Design Thinking and Storytelling

Design Thinking and Storytelling

Design thinking is a methodology for solving problems that focuses on asking questions and listening, with empathy, to the needs of individuals and groups. Storytelling is an “essential human activity” for sharing experiences, explaining values, and deciding on solutions through vivid verbal

Narratives and Low-Income Millennials

Narratives and Low-Income Millennials

There are multiple narratives for low-income millennials. The college matriculation-to-graduation narrative is not a common one among most working class young people. In fact, low-income students are a rarity on most four-year campuses, especially at the most competitive colleges. A

Changing the narrative through empathy

Changing the narrative through empathy

Empathy can change an older cancer patient’s perspective on death and dying. In fact, it can change the narrative of a patient’s life, leaving a legacy of purpose and meaning. A couple of days ago I met with geriatric clinicians

Otherness, Identity, and Belonging in Higher Education

Otherness, Identity, and Belonging in Higher Education

The ideas of otherness, identity, and belonging in higher education help us make sense of the recent campus unrest at universities around the country. Otherness is a social construct that explains majority/minority social identities. Think about social identity as a reflection

Can you Teach Empathy?

Can you Teach Empathy?

Empathy allows us to understand and share the same feelings that others feel. By understanding and applying empathy in our daily lives, we can connect with others and share their feelings about problems, circumstances, or situations. But can empathy be

Diversity and Difference in the Traditional Culture of Higher Education

Diversity and Difference in the Traditional Culture of Higher Education

Some pundits have interpreted recent campus eruptions at Yale and the University of Missouri as “microaggressions” that push political correctness into hyperdrive through the social media. “Grow up!” seems to be a phrase mentioned again and again. But there is

Metacognition and Experience

Metacognition and Experience

Educational philosopher John Dewey believed that we actually learn more from thinking about our experiences than from the actual experiences themselves. This idea is not new. The practice of examining and reflecting on experiences, or metacognition, dates back to Socrates and

Empathy puts users first

Empathy puts users first

My husband recently underwent surgery in a world-class university hospital. Its motto, “we put patients first,” was plastered on nearly every wall, elevator and large screen monitor. And the medical care itself was excellent — a world renowned surgeon, and