Sacred Heart University Launches SEED Program for Student-Faculty Collaboration
The initiative pairs students with faculty members they have not previously worked with to examine classroom dynamics through shared dialogue.
By Adewale Fletcher ·
Sacred Heart University has introduced a new pedagogical partnership program designed to restructure interactions between students and faculty.
The Center for Teaching and Learning hosts the initiative, known as SEED or Students Engaging in Educational Dialogue. The program pairs students with faculty partners who have never taught them in an academic course. This specific pairing rule is intended to dismantle traditional power dynamics and allow for equitable dialogue.
The core objective is to shift students from passive recipients of instruction to active contributors who help shape the academic environment. Partners engage in weekly debrief conversations where they reflect on teaching and learning experiences. Student partners visit their faculty partner's class, take notes based on shared goals, and bring their insights to these discussions. The process is collaborative rather than hierarchical, with both parties contributing equally to the reflection on pedagogical practices.
The program was developed during the spring 2026 term by an Advisory Team composed of students, faculty, and staff. The team drew on the book Pedagogical Partnerships: A How-To Guide for Faculty, Students, and Academic Developers in Higher Education, along with other scholarly work in the student voice field. The development process involved engaging with these resources to guide the structure of the new program.
The Advisory Team included undergraduate student Nana Belmonte and graduate student Michael Costigan. Faculty members from various departments participated, including Lauren Bryant from Psychology, Christine Coletta from Undergraduate Nursing, and Linda Farber from Chemistry. Other faculty contributors included Kimberly Hellerich, Caitlin Ross, Claudio Schapsis, Stefanie Seanor, and Michael Vale. Staff members Irina Ellison and Lisa Henderson also served on the team.
The program is facilitated by Amy Simolo, Associate Director of Teaching Development at the Center for Teaching and Learning, Lauren Bryant, and Jessica Bogucki, a graduate assistant at the Center. Participants agree that expertise comes in many forms, with students bringing unique insights into the classroom experience and faculty providing content area expertise. The partnership focuses on creating opportunities for dialogue and reinforcing strengths rather than fixing specific issues.
The initiative aims to recognize and act upon student perspectives in educational settings. By embedding student partners in ongoing, collaborative relationships with faculty, the program seeks to create space for equal participation in decisions regarding pedagogical reflection and implementation.
More Business · Unethical Practices · Report a business · Got a Story?
