Innovate and Educate

Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center

”Innovate and Educate” is a podcast presented by the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center (TLTC) at Seton Hall University. It explores how technology can revolutionize teaching and student outcomes in higher education. Each concise, 20-minute episode tackles a key question related to educational technology and offers actionable insights, real-world examples, and expert perspectives that can be implemented in classrooms, departments, or institutions. With new episodes dropping on the last Thursday of every month, this podcast is your go-to resource for innovative strategies and practical solutions that make a lasting impact on students’ learning experiences.

  1. Oct 29

    How Can Faculty Design Learning Experiences that Help Students Develop the Skills They Will Need for the Future?

    Episode Summary: In Season 3, Episode 2 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we continue our exploration of teaching and learning in an AI-enabled world by asking a critical follow-up question: "How can faculty design learning experiences that help students develop the skills they will need for the future?" Building on the previous episode's discussion of future-ready skills, this episode focuses on practical approaches for creating meaningful learning experiences that foster critical thinking, discernment, communication, creativity, empathy, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Listen as Dawn Apgar, Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work and Public Administration, discusses the importance of experiential learning, information literacy, and helping students thoughtfully evaluate and use AI-generated content. We will also hear from Jessica Dimka, Assistant Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, who discusses the role of reflection, perspective-taking, cultural awareness, and real-world connections through guest speakers and active learning experiences. Finally, Mark Schild, Associate Dean of the Stillman School of Business and Instructor in the Department of Finance, explores how faculty can redesign learning experiences to emphasize authentic problem-solving, industry engagement, critical evaluation of AI-generated information, and long-term skill development. Together, these conversations highlight how faculty can create learning experiences that help students apply knowledge, engage thoughtfully with technology, and develop the human skills that will remain essential in an AI-enabled future. Stay tuned for the next episode of Innovate and Educate, coming the first Thursday in December! Key topics + time stamps  Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-00:56]  Dawn Apgar, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work and Public Administration [00:57-11:43]  Jessica Dimka, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice [11:50-18:43] Mark Schild, Associate Dean, Stillman School of Business; Instructor, Department of Finance [18:49-26:34] Episode Wrap-up [26:38-27:34]    Resources  Dawn Apgar, Ph.D.: Contact Information Jessica Dimka, Ph.D.: Contact Information  Mark Schild, MBA: Contact Information  Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website  Email address: tltc@shu.edu

  2. Sep 24

    What Skills Will Matter Most for Graduates in Ten Years?

    In Season 3, Episode 1 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we explore faculty perspectives on a timely question: “What skills will matter most for graduates in ten years?” Listen as Mary Balkun, Ph.D., Director of Faculty Development and Director of Undergraduate Literature Studies in the Department of English, discusses why students should focus on developing adaptable, transferable skills and how authentic, real-world learning experiences can help prepare them for an evolving future. We will also hear from Devon Corneal, M.S., JD, Assistant Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Academics at the Seton Hall University School of Law, as she explores the need for graduates to evaluate information critically, exercise sound judgment, and use technology responsibly. Finally, Dean Bryan Crable, Ph.D., Founding Dean of the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, examines the value of experiential learning and the broader impact of technology on society, encouraging students to build practical skills through hands-on experiences while serving as thoughtful stewards of emerging technologies. Stay tuned for the next episode of Innovate and Educate, coming the fourth Thursday in October! Key topics + time stamps  Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-02:21]  Mary Balkun, Ph.D., Professor, Director of Faculty Development, and Director of Undergraduate Literature Studies, Department of English [02:22-08:18]  Devon Corneal, M.S., JD, Assistant Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Academics, Seton Hall University School of Law [08:26-14:23] Bryan Crable, Ph.D., Founding Dean of the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media at Seton Hall University [14:30-20:54] Episode Wrap-up [20:58-22:00]    Resources  Mary Balkun, Ph.D.:  Contact Information Devon Corneal, M.S., JD: Contact Information Bryan Crable, Ph.D.: Contact Information Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website  Email address: tltc@shu.edu

  3. May 28

    How can gamification, digital badges, and microcredientials meaningfully enhance learning, motivation, and career readiness--without reducing education to points and prizes?

    Listen as Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., Dean of Continuing Education and Professional Studies and Associate Professor of Marketing in the Stillman School of Business, discusses the growing role of microcredentials in lifelong learning and workforce development. She explores how universities can create meaningful, community-centered learning experiences that help students and professionalsbuild practical skills, professional networks, and career readiness in a rapidly changing world.  We will also hear from Ben Pincus, MBA, MSBM, Associate Dean for Assessment and Engagement and Professor in the Department of Management within the Stillman School of Business, who shares how gamification and badging can support student engagement and professional skill development. He also discusses the importance of creating experiences that help students apply what they’velearned and communicate the value of those experiences to future employers.  Stay tuned for the next season of Innovate and Educate, coming in Fall 2026!    Key topics + time stamps   Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-01:00 ]   Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., who serves as the Associate Provost of Partnerships & Global Initiatives, the Dean of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, as well as an Associate Professor, Stillman School, Department of Marketing [01:01-10:53 ]  Ben Pincus, MBA, MSBM, Associate Dean for Assessment and External Engagement, Stillman School of Business [10:55-20:26 ]   Episode Wrap-up [20:30-21:55 ]      Resources   Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D.: Contact Information  Ben Pincus, MBA, MSBM: Contact Information     Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website   Email address: tltc@shu.edu

  4. Apr 30

    First-Year Student Experiences at Seton Hall

    In Season 2, Episode 6 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we explore how institutions can create impactful First-Year experiences that support student success from the very beginning of their college journey. This episode focuses on the importance of designing intentional, high-impact programs that foster belonging, persistence, and holistic student development during this critical transition period.  Join us as Karen Van Norman, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, Omayra Arocho, Assistant Vice President of Student Services and Dean of the Center for Academic Success, and Joshua Dornbos, Associate Dean of the Center for Academic Success, share their perspectives on supporting First-Year students. You’ll hear how campus leaders collaborate across departments, the strategies they use to build proactive support systems, and examples of programs and partnerships that help students navigate the transition to college and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.  Key topics + time stamps    Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-01:25]    Karen Van Norman, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students [01:26-7:40]   Contact information: karen.vannorman@shu.edu   Division of Student Services: https://www.shu.edu/student-services/   CAPS: https://www.shu.edu/counseling-psychological-services/  THRIVE: https://www.shu.edu/student-services/students-dare-to-care.html  The Well: https://www.shu.edu/student-services/the-well.html  Omayra Arocho, Assistant Vice President of Student Services and Dean of the Center for Academic Success and Joshua Dornbos, Associate Dean of the Center for Academic Success [07:45-22:50]   Contact information: omayra.arocho@shu.edu and Joshua.dornbos@shu.edu   Center for Academic Success: https://www.shu.edu/center-for-academic-success/   Transformational Student Experiences: https://www.shu.edu/strategic-plan/priority-1.html  Episode Wrap-up [22:51-23:54]   Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website    Email address: tltc@shu.edu

  5. Mar 26

    Authentic Assessment in Higher Education

    In Season 2, Episode 5 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we’re discussing how authentic assessments create more meaningful, real-world connections to course content, helping students see the relevance of what they are learning. We also highlight how faculty at Seton Hall University are leveraging digital tools to support both engagement and assessment. You’ll discover how technology can help reimagine traditional assignments into dynamic learning experiences. Join us as Dr. Randall Clemens, Associate Dean in the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media (CHDCM) and Associate Professor in the Department of Education Leadership, Management and Policy (ELMP), and Dr. Elizabeth Van Dyk, Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner program for the Graduate Department of the College of Nursing, share their perspectives on authentic assessment. You’ll hear why they switched from more traditional assignments, the theory behind their reasoning, the impact authentic assessments have had on student learning, and examples used in classes. Stay tuned for the next episode of Innovate and Educate, coming the last Thursday in April! Key topics + time stamps  Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-00:55]  Dr. Randall Clemens, Associate Dean in the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media (CHDCM) and Associate Professor in the Department of Education Leadership, Management and Policy (ELMP) [00:56-09:50] Contact information for Dr. Clemens Dr. Elizabeth Van Dyk, Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner program for the Graduate Department of the College of Nursing [09:56-20:35] Contact information for Dr. Van Dyk   Episode Wrap-up [20:36-21:43]   Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website  Email address: tltc@shu.edu

  6. 12/04/2025

    How can colleges and universities better support students as they prepare for life after graduation?

    Episode Summary: In Season 2, Episode 3 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we explore how higher education can empower students to connect their learning with meaningful career pathways. For National Career Development Month, we ask an important question: “How can colleges and universities better support students as they prepare for life after graduation?”  Join us as Jorge Rivera, Director of Career Services at Seton Hall’s South Orange campus, and Jacqueline Pirone, Assistant Dean of Seton Hall Law’s Office of Career Services (OCS), share their perspectives on mentoring, transferable skills, and the evolving needs of today’s workforce. They offer practical guidance for faculty, staff, and students seeking to bridge the gap between academic experiences and professional success.  Stay tuned for the next episode of Innovate and Educate, coming the fourth Thursday in January!    Key topics + time stamps   Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-00:40]   Jorge Rivera, Director of Career Services on the South Orange campus [00:40-12:56]  Jacqueline Pirone, Assistant Dean of Seton Hall Law’s Office of Career Services [12:56-26:28]  Episode Wrap-up [26:28- 27:15]     Resources  Jorge Rivera  Email  Career Center homepage  Jacqueline Pirone  Email  Career Services homepage  The OCS Bulletin    Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website   Email address: tltc@shu.edu

About

”Innovate and Educate” is a podcast presented by the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center (TLTC) at Seton Hall University. It explores how technology can revolutionize teaching and student outcomes in higher education. Each concise, 20-minute episode tackles a key question related to educational technology and offers actionable insights, real-world examples, and expert perspectives that can be implemented in classrooms, departments, or institutions. With new episodes dropping on the last Thursday of every month, this podcast is your go-to resource for innovative strategies and practical solutions that make a lasting impact on students’ learning experiences.