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and repertoire, skills for the real world of vocal jazz gigging.

that let students operationalize what we’re learning, or ways to help them connect policy history to real life today. When I think about teaching, I try to provide an environment where there are didactic, heuristic, and philetic learning opportunities… This approach comes from teaching the social foundations of education, but also applies to teaching the craft of social work, a blend of knowledge, values, and skills. “Because of Kathy, students learned the important connection between social

sustainability that will drive enrollment and respond to market demands — by expanding offerings in undergraduate, graduate and continuing ed programs and investing in facilities and other resources for programs as needed to meet the challenges facing public health, both locally and globally. Complete the design and construction of additional nursing classroom space, skills lab, and simulation facilities at the former Garfield Book Company by Fall 2020. Review and define the portfolio of programs connected

my language skills,” she said. That self exploration informs how Davidson educates her bilingual students, who take the “Spanish for Heritage Speakers” courses she launched at PLU. All of them grew up speaking Spanish at home. “Each family has a different dynamic,” Davidson said. “In some homes, they speak all in Spanish, but in most, you might speak Spanish to grandma, code-switch between English and Spanish with your parents, and speak Spanglish and English with your siblings.” During a recent

learning and research integration. In many cases, client consulting projects serve as the “lens” from which students apply their learning and build real-world skills through their coursework. In other cases the research is focused on community change, as in 2014 when Dr. Mulder help co-lead a student research project which was awarded a $10,000 research grant by the Independent Colleges of Washington and Puget Sound Energy. As an active researcher, Dr. Mulder has published in leading marketing journals

came time for him to step into an acting presidential role — one neither of them dreamed would become permanent — it was, once more, an opportunity to serve. “When I was (a student) at PLU, there was a really strong emphasis on service and trying to figure out what you could do to assist other people, figuring out how you could use your individual skills to help someone else,” Melinda said. She wanted that for Allan, who was searching for meaningful work that he wasn’t finding in corporate banking

at the institution four years ago. Then, when it came time for him to step into an acting presidential role — one neither of them dreamed would become permanent — it was, once more, an opportunity to serve. “When I was (a student) at PLU, there was a really strong emphasis on service and trying to figure out what you could do to assist other people, figuring out how you could use your individual skills to help someone else,” Melinda said. She wanted that for Allan, who was searching for

organized. We worked together to build this data set.” Travis says she also learns a thing or two from her students through that mentorship model. “The fun part is, when I go to teach capstone,” she said, “I don’t know what I’m going to learn.” Still, Travis said, students gain two important skills through close collaboration with experienced faculty members: self direction and practical application. “Nobody tells you the answers,” Travis said of self-guided research projects. She noted that the work

a glimpse into the lives of professionals who practice what PLU preaches. “The key is to bring in successful people and reinforce what we do,” Dickerson said. And it works. He said the players learn valuable skills and build meaningful relationships through those networking opportunities. Dickerson proudly touts the near-perfect graduation rate and post-graduate success of his former players. Despite their success after moving on from college, Dickerson says many of them stay in touch. He

three decades, a majority of his 40-year career in education. He’s been at the district’s helm for 11 years. Beyond his commitment to the partnership with PLU and his full-time administrative work, he serves on the boards of the Junior Achievement of Washington, Latino/a Education Achievement Project, Parkland-Spanaway Kiwanis Foundation, Pierce Center for Arts & Technology and the Pierce County Skills Center. He also is a longtime member of PLU’s Administrative Professional Education Advisory Board