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In this Faculty Take Five episode, Associate Dean Amy Sickel speaks with Dr. Stacy Bjorkman, adjunct faculty member at Walden University, about her unexpected path to earning a PhD in school psychology. What began as a plan to complete a master’s degree and enter practice evolved into a passion for scholarship, teaching, and research, thanks in part to the encouragement of mentors who recognized her potential. Take a listen.

What happens when nursing students have a seat at the table? In this episode, faculty leaders and student representatives share the story of the College of Nursing Student Advisory Council (CONSAC). They discuss the council's evolution since its launch in 2023, the challenges of fostering engagement in an online environment, and how student voices are helping shape the future of nursing education. Learn more about the Faculty Leading the Change Series, powered by the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring Excellence → tinyurl.com/flc-series

As generative AI reshapes higher education, how can educators design assessments that meaningfully measure learning? Based on a presentation from the AAC&U Conference on Learning and Student Success, this episode explores authentic assessment, academic integrity, AI literacy, and practical strategies for distinguishing human insight from AI-generated work while preparing students for an AI-enabled future. AI Disclosure: This episode is based on a presentation delivered by Michele Lucia, Kirsten Lupinski, Tassi Schroll, and Jenna Gadarowski at the AAC&U Conference on Learning and Student Success in April 2026. The presenters produced this episode using generative AI (Microsoft Copilot) to generate the script from their presentation slides and the audio recording you'll hear in this episode. The host's introduction and ending are the only human-recorded audio in this episode. Learn more about the Faculty Leading the Change Series, powered by the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring Excellence → tinyurl.com/flc-series

Episode 7 of IFME Dissertation Mentoring Excellence Classes, with host Dr. Lee Stadtlander. In this session, Drs. Binh Ngo, Laura Lynn , and Sheryl Richard discuss coaching skills that can be used by dissertation mentors.

From Equations to People: Dr. Jesus Tanguma’s PhD Journey In this Faculty Take Five episode, Associate Dean Dr. Amy Sickel talks with Dr. Jesus Tanguma, adjunct faculty at Walden University, about his nontraditional path from high school mathematics teacher to earning a PhD in educational psychology at Texas A&M University. They discuss how discovering the human meaning behind statistics transformed his career, the role of mentorship and imposed research direction in his doctoral journey, and the importance of finding work that feels intrinsically meaningful rather than transactional. Dr. Tanguma also reflects on developing empathy as an educator and offers advice on choosing dissertation topics and sustaining motivation through doctoral study.

A PhD Journey Through Obstacles and Mentoring Support In this Faculty Take Five episode, Associate Dean Dr. Amy Sickel talks with Dr. Sandra Rasmussen, adjunct faculty at Walden University, about earning and applying a PhD in Clinical Psychology and Public Practice from Harvard. Dr. Rasmussen traces her path from rural Minnesota and a nursing career to doctoral study, along with the mentors, setbacks, and personal challenges that shaped it. Drawing on a decades-long career spanning teaching, clinical work, and ten books, she underscores the value of mentorship, flexibility, and lifelong learning.

From PhD to Practice: Research, Resilience, and Real-World Impact In this Faculty Take Five episode, Associate Dean Amy Sickel talks with Dr. Rhonda Bohs, adjunct faculty at Walden University, about what it really takes to earn and apply a PhD in psychology. Dr. Bohs traces her early passion for the field, the unexpected demands of graduate school, and how those experiences shaped her commitment to mentoring students. Drawing on a 30-year career in behavioral health spanning applied research, grant writing, and consulting, she shows how doctoral skills extend well beyond academia.

Episode 6 of IFME Dissertation Mentoring Excellence Classes, with host Dr. Lee Stadtlander. In this session, Drs. Kathleen Morrison, Richard Penny, and Debra Wilson discuss publishing with students.

What does it truly mean for students to learn deeply, and how can institutions tell the difference between surface recall and lasting, transferable mastery? In this episode, we examine how data visualization tools, particularly heat maps, help academic leaders and assessment professionals uncover patterns in student learning that traditional reports often miss. We're joined by Drs Bobbijo Pinnelli, Amy Hillbelink, and Jay Kahl, the Department of Program Assessment (DPA) team at Walden University, for a conversation exploring how depth of learning shows up across curricula, where it commonly breaks down, and what institutions can do to strengthen learning progression. Learn more about the Faculty Leading the Change Series, powered by the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring Excellence → tinyurl.com/flc-series

Why are adjunct faculty burning out at staggering rates? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Joshua Hays examines how structural precarity, market-driven institutional logics, and unsupportive organizational climates shape engagement, burnout, and disengagement among adjunct faculty. Drawing on established psychological research, he reframes disengagement not as individual failure, but as a predictable outcome of system design. Learn more about the Faculty Leading the Change Series, powered by the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring Excellence → tinyurl.com/flc-series

Feedback is one of the most powerful tools faculty have to support student learning, yet too often, it becomes a one-way exchange that students struggle to interpret, apply, or engage with meaningfully. In this episode, Dr. Roderick Williams Sr. invites us to reimagine feedback as a dialogic, relational teaching practice. Drawing on research-informed strategies, we explore how conversational feedback moves beyond evaluation to foster clarity, motivation, trust, and deeper engagement, especially in online and accelerated learning environments. Learn more about the Faculty Leading the Change Series, powered by the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring Excellence → tinyurl.com/flc-series

Episode 5 of IFME Dissertation Mentoring Excellence Classes, with host Dr. Lee Stadtlander. In this session, Drs. Kathleen Morrison, Amy White, Richard Jimenez, and Cheryl Burleigh discuss Peer reviewing as a faculty mentor.

From Curiosity to Impact: Applying PhD Skills Beyond Academia In this episode of Faculty Take Five, Dr. Amy Sickel talks with Dr. Brandon Cosley about how curiosity sparked his path to a PhD and how doctoral skills translate far beyond traditional academic roles. Dr. Cosley reflects on mentoring, receiving and applying honest feedback, navigating challenges in research and relationships, and building confidence in transferable skills. He shares how his background in psychology, statistics, and critical thinking now informs his work across academia, data science, and industry, offering valuable insights for students exploring diverse career paths after the PhD. Please note: This episode was recorded approximately 18-24 months ago. Some information or references may reflect that timeframe.

What happens after the doctorate when the questions don’t disappear, but multiply? In this episode of the Faculty Leading the Change, Podcast Edition, Dr. Demetria Burleson explores the often-unspoken transition into faculty life, especially in online learning environments. From imposter syndrome and developing a teaching voice to fostering professional connection and building a network of colleagues, this conversation examines the “becoming” stage of faculty work and offers practical anchors to help you show up with confidence, clarity, and care. If you’ve ever wondered whether students can feel your presence through the screen, this episode is for you Learn more about the Faculty Leading the Change Series, powered by the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring Excellence → tinyurl.com/flc-series

Episode 1 of Mentoring Intensive Classes with host, Dr. Lee Stadtlander. In this session, Drs. Stadtlander, Mark Gordon, and Ethel Perry discuss onboarding new dissertation students.