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  

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

In Season 2, Episode 4 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we’re discussing Seton Hall’s new Innovation Hub—a collaborative environment designed to inspire creativity, experimentation, and new approaches to teaching and learning. With its wide variety of tools—from Cricut to 3D printing and more—podcast booths, collaborative spaces, STEM applications, and just-in-time learning resources, the Innovation Hub will have something to interest everyone.

We’ll have a group conversation with Mike Soupios, Executive Director of the TLTC, Renee Cicchino, Director of Instructional Design and Training, Chris Petruzzi, Director of Design and Digital Media, John Fernandes, Senior Director of IT Service Management, and Scott Bergenfeld, Trainer and Makerspace Coordinator. Together, they’ll share the vision behind the space, how it will serve our campus community, and what it means for the future of innovation at Seton Hall.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Innovate and Educate, coming the last Thursday in February

Key topics + time stamps Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-01:08]

Group Conversation [01:08-28:19]

Episode Wrap-up [28:19-29:23] Resources

• Innovation Hub website
• Maker Studio page
• XR/AI Studio page
• Content Creation Studios page
• Solutions Studio page
• Innovation Hub FAQs page

Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website Email address: tltc@shu.edu