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Engaged Learning Exemplar: Mahesh Subramony

February 7, 2018

Associate Professor Mahesh Subramony is all business when it comes to student engagement. That’s why his colleagues from the College of Business’ Department of Management nominated him to be recognized as an engaged learning exemplar for his outstanding commitment to engaged learning, teaching and scholarship.

Mahesh Subramony

“Engaged learning allows students to fully participate in their education process. When students solve real-life problems with the assistance of their faculty, they develop a variety of skills that help them transition into the professional world,” says Subramony.

“I facilitate team-based, problem-focused courses involving real-life management problems,” he says. “My role in these courses is that of an expert-facilitator who provides feedback/coaching, and instructs them on the process (‘how to’) of solving problems rather than the one right solution to the problem.”

Students have benefited by developing a broader and deeper perspective regarding their content areas, communication/teamwork and professional skills. The community has benefited from the outcomes of these projects, he noted. “For instance, a large manufacturer was able to develop an executive onboarding process, a service-provider was able to develop programs to help retain their employees and a higher-education institution was able to implement a faculty engagement diagnostic tool. In addition, undergraduate students in my classes receive 360-degree feedback and reflect on the ways by which they can have a stronger positive impact on their community and careers.”

Join Subramony, along with other faculty, staff and students for the first Engaged Learning, Teaching and Scholarship Conference. This new event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, and uncovers and recognizes the faculty perspective of collaborations with students and community partners. Several faculty and staff will present on best practices in engaged learning, teaching and scholarship in the Holmes Student Center. All are welcome to attend; registration is open online.

Co-sponsors of the Engaged Learning, Teaching and Scholarship Conference are the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning; the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development; the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center; the College of Business Experiential Learning Center; and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

For more information, call 815-753-8154 or email rkersh@niu.edu.