Laylonda Maines | Nowell Vincent
As educators we want our students to learn content while practicing soft skills that expose them to new global perspectives that can be transferred into their careers. By utilizing a backward design approach, we were able to implement a project-based practice into an interior design class that can be modified to fit any subject. By giving the students’ a variety of client scenarios, they get the opportunity to see into a culture outside of their own. This idea can be replicated into case study format, etc. We want to promote students to “feel comfortable feeling uncomfortable”. This practice has helped students’ to be able to feel more empowered and familiar working with a diverse demographic population in their field and everyday lives. We believe that “inclusion” is the glue that holds our society together. We would like to share this project and help faculty develop similar deliverables to activate a new twist on a defined project or assignment.
Laylonda Maines has been teaching in higher education for almost 12 years in the realm of science like biology, anatomy and physiology, environmental science, etc. My love for teaching and excellence has brought me into the learning design world where I get to help faculty promote student learning, growth, and empowerment. Being an African- American woman has made me passionate about continuing to be a voice for acceptance, and inclusion of all cultures and practices that help our students to be better equip when they leave our institution.
Nowell Vincent is a Saudi-American woman who has lived a rich life filled with celebrating diversity, promoting cultural awareness in the classroom, which is near and dear to her heart. Nowell teaches and is the Program Director for Interior Architecture & Design at FRCC. On the side, she is an avid world traveler, has a huge crush on her husband and adores her furry babies.