A renowned expert on education psychology and diversity in higher education visited Elon University on Nov. 22 and led a lunchtime discussion with dozens of faculty and staff members on the impact of interactions between professors and students, notably among various demographic groups.
Darnell Cole, an associate professor at the University of Southern California, on Monday blended wit with wisdom based on years of research into the way students view their own intellectual capacity following interactions with faculty, especially for students of color.
“Outside of peer interactions, faculty interaction tends to be the strongest indicator of student success,” Cole told his audience. “Teaching is not just classroom instruction. It’s how you interact with students both inside and outside of the classroom.”
The North Carolina native fielded questions for much of his hour presentation in Belk 200. Professors asked questions specific to his research methods, but they also sought Cole’s observations on topics such as including diversity into general studies programs and how to create a campus culture where efforts to positively interact with students is rewarded as part of faculty evaluations.
The luncheon was co-sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and by the Multicultural Center.