12/09/2025
Higher education is changing. Professors at teaching-centered universities are expected by administrators and students alike to put more emphasis on teaching. Furthermore, student gaps in K-12 education, their taking their time about growing up, and the explosion of diagnoses (ADHD, OCD, autism spectrum, etc.) lead to higher expectations that professors respond to each student individually, rather than simply demonstrating our expertise in the classroom as many of us were taught to do in graduate school. In this MPSA video blog entry, Michael Smith labels this new approach the “cool teacher” and suggests that, after a period of adjustment, this different approach to teaching can make for a fulfilling career, create good student mentoring, and even leave some time for research.
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University Higher education is changing. Professors at teaching-centered universities are expected […]
