Pictured (from left to right): Cecilia Arias, Ed.D.; Sonal Pandey, Ph.D.; Tatiana Rodriguez, MPH; Wendi Shepherd, MSW, MBA
As part-time faculty, nearly 1,900 lecturers at Rutgers-New Brunswick are a core part of the instructional population on campus. They come from diverse professional backgrounds – some balance teaching with full-time careers in industry while others devote themselves fully to teaching, all bringing a wealth of real-world expertise and pedagogical experience that enriches the learning experience of students.
To support the unique teaching needs of lecturers, TIIP launched a community of practice at the beginning of the last academic year (2025-2026). Meeting virtually each month, lecturers came together in a collaborative environment designed for interdisciplinary conversation as well as for mutual support and inspiration.
Based on the suggestions and interests shared by members of the community, each gathering was led by a lecturer who discussed teaching strategies and tips on varying topics, such as engaging students in the online setting, incorporating instructional technology tools, gamifying learning, and navigating the evolving role of generative AI in the classroom. By reflecting on the successes and challenges they experienced, participants discussed and explored new approaches that could be adapted into their own course contexts. Below, four lecturers share what they took away from their engagement in the Lecturer Community.
For many of the participants, the value of community lay in both the ideas exchanged and the sense of connection it fostered across departments. “What stood out to me most was how quickly those conversations created a sense of shared purpose. Teaching can sometimes feel siloed, so having the chance to connect with educators I may not have met otherwise felt energizing and thought provoking,” shared Tatiana Rodriguez, who teaches public speaking and social media for the School of Communication and Information and the School of Management and Labor Relations. “Hearing how educators from different parts of Rutgers approach their students and classrooms sparked new ideas and reminded me that we are part of a much larger community of people who care deeply about teaching and learning.”
“The community is representative of the campus,” also noted Wendi Shepherd, who teaches in the School of Social Work, “and our shared experience in being new to Rutgers was humbling.” Shepherd, who was new to Rutgers at the time of joining the Lecturer Community, further expressed appreciation for the existing members of the community, commenting, “[they] did a nice job welcoming the newbies and building cohesion…which created a sense of belonging with Rutgers.”
Another critical aspect of the community was creating a space for participants to pause and reflect on their teaching and thinking more intentionally about how they can positively impact the learning experiences of their students. “It was a valuable space to connect with colleagues across campus and reflect on our teaching practices in a way that day-to-day work doesn’t always allow,” said Sonal Pandey, who teaches business, economics, and innovation & entrepreneurship in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. “I came away with some concrete ideas and perspectives that I’ve been able to bring back into my own classroom.”
When describing how she found her way into the community, Cecilia Arias, who teaches math in the School of Arts and Sciences, said, “I was motivated to join because, as a lecturer at a large university, it can be difficult to find and build a community amongst us. I was excited that this initiative was created for us, as all of us are dedicated to the educational mission of the university and are eager to learn and improve our pedagogy. Often, professional development opportunities are offered, but only full-time faculty are eligible. Having this community felt like we were being seen, heard, and considered as valuable members of the university.”
Rodriguez also expressed a similar sentiment and said, “I’ve been wanting more opportunities to collaborate with other lecturers since I started teaching here 8 years ago. Sometimes teaching can feel lonely or like working in your own little bubble in many ways, so this community and other TIIP offerings feel like an answer to a long-standing need.”
Building on the momentum of its first successful year, the Lecturer Community will continue to offer a space for dialogue and connection. If you’re a lecturer on campus who would like to join the community, you are invited! The conversation is ongoing, and it is always better with more voices and perspectives in the room.
The Lecturer Community meets monthly virtually during the regular fall and spring semesters. To learn more and get involved, please check out the Lecturer Faculty Community webpage and register through this link. Also do spread the word about the community with those who might interested!