Featured Teacher
Cheri Young, an associate professor in the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, is committed to creating a dynamic classroom environment where student engagement is at the heart of the learning process. With a focus on building connections and fostering critical thinking, Young believes that true engagement goes beyond attention—it’s about igniting curiosity and supporting students as they actively participate in their learning journey. 
Defining Engagement
For Young, student engagement is about sparking moments of curiosity that can develop into deeper interest. “An engaged student is like an ember that I can help nurture into a fire,” she explains. Engagement isn’t always sustained; sometimes it’s fleeting but powerful, and it’s these moments of energy and connection that drive learning forward.
Strategies for Engagement
Young uses a range of strategies to keep her students engaged and motivated:
- Physical Movement: Recognizing that long periods of sitting can lead to disengagement, Young encourages students to stand, stretch or practice deep breathing exercises to reset the class’s energy. “Physical movement helps break up the routine and re-engages students,” she says.
- Real-World Connections: To make the material more relevant, Young incorporates real-world scenarios into her lessons. In her AI and robotics course in hospitality, for example, students observe businesses and propose technology-driven solutions to improve service delivery. This hands-on approach helps students apply theoretical concepts to practical challenges.
- Collaborative, Challenging Learning: Young also designs projects that push students out of their comfort zone, such as working alongside refugees. In this project, students hire and train refugees, which encourages empathy and collaboration while also challenging students to confront real-world issues. “When students feel uncertainty, their engagement increases,” she notes.
Challenges Faced
Like any educator, Young faces challenges in keeping her students engaged, especially when outside pressures like exams or personal struggles impact focus. “You can feel when the class isn’t engaged,” she says. To combat this, she uses techniques like physical movement or spontaneous group discussions to refresh the class and restore energy.
Reflective Practice
Young is committed to continual self-reflection. “Every quarter, I change something,” she says. She regularly gathers feedback from students to gauge what’s working and adjusts her teaching accordingly. “I’m a learner alongside my students,” she adds, underscoring her belief in the collaborative nature of the classroom.
Closing Thoughts
Young’s commitment to fostering student engagement is evident in her approach to creating interactive, student-centered learning experiences. Through real-world connections, physical movement and a focus on feedback, she inspires students to take an active role in their education, making learning both relevant and deeply engaging.