The essence of the discussion with Professor Greta Kishbaugh, pictured above (middle) with her YearUp Business Students, highlights her innovative approach, her dedication to her students, the impactful projects she spearheads, and her innovation of education with passion. SPC’s College of Business dives into the mind of an educator who profoundly changed the game in academic and experiential learning.
A Journey of Passion and Purpose
Professor Kishbaugh’s career is a testament to her commitment to making a difference through education. With a background in fundraising and a significant role in academia, Kishbaugh has seamlessly merged her professional experiences to enrich her teaching methods. Her story is one of passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of enhancing the learning experience for her students.
Tackling Real-world Challenges through Innovation
One of the most compelling aspects of our conversation was hearing about the Green Innovations summer camp, aimed at high school students, and encouraging the exploration of sustainable solutions to real-world problems. Professor Kishbaugh highlighted an initiative where students, initially focused on food hunger, pivoted to address a more pressing need for accessible showers among the homeless population in Saint Petersburg. This led to the development of a business plan for a portable shower unit, still in the prototyping phase. This example underscores the importance of direct community engagement and demonstrates how experiential learning fosters innovative thinking and empathy, showing the dynamic impact students can have when they apply their learning to real-world challenges.
Empowering Students with Knowledge and Skills
Throughout our chat, Professor Kishbaugh emphasized not only equipping students with theoretical knowledge but also imbuing them with practical skills for real-world application. Her educational approach is deeply holistic, designed to inspire and ready students for real-world complexities. By integrating elements of entrepreneurship, management, or introductory business into her curriculum, Kishbaugh ensures it is not only relevant and engaging but also distinctly inclusive. She actively works to include diverse perspectives and learning styles, ensuring accessibility, and understanding for all students, thereby preparing them comprehensively for future challenges.
The Power of Personal Connection
A significant theme in our discussion was Professor Kishbaugh’s emphasis on personal connections and understanding in education. Her commitment to student success is evident in her efforts to understand their challenges and adapt her teaching methods. A testament to her innovative and forward-thinking approach is her authorship of an online textbook, specifically tailored to meet her students’ needs. This initiative not only highlights her dedication to accessibility and inclusivity but also her role in actively shaping educational content to enhance learning outcomes.
Looking Forward with Optimism and Innovation
Reflecting on our conversation, it is evident that Professor Kishbaugh’s contributions, such as the Green Innovations summer camp and her development of online learning resources, represent a significant commitment within the realms of academia. These efforts underscore a dedication to creating a more dynamic, inclusive educational landscape, directly engaging with real-world challenges. Through her work, Professor Kishbaugh exemplifies the impact of integrating passion and innovation into educational practices, thereby nurturing a generation of leaders, thinkers, and change-makers prepared to navigate and shape the future.