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In their giving to They believe this approach will give more “We see a lot of opportunity, based on the
credence to collaborative teaching and encourage work Dr. Blowers and others have done, to do
the University of other disciplines and universities to implement something meaningful that moves the needle.
active learning techniques. That resonates with Sarah and me.”
Within the college, the Kantos’ gift is
Blowers is excited that the Kantos’ support
Arizona’s College of intended to have long-term impact on student will expand and enhance the practices he’s
success and retention, including higher retention developed. Engineering lecturer Kasi Kiehlbaugh
Engineering, they’re for female students and those from diverse will co-lead the project with him.
backgrounds. “We cannot wait to see how this donation
determined not only Former College of Engineering Dean Jeff helps us help even more students succeed,”
Goldberg, now the UA’s acting provost, says Blowers says.
to move the needle collaborative classes are especially helpful to
freshmen and sophomores.
“Our curriculum builds, so it’s absolutely
but also to measure critical that students get a strong foundation.
Training our faculty gives our students the best
that movement possible teaching so they can be successful at
learning, and that helps retention,” he says.
Private funding is essential for that training,
so that students Goldberg adds. “We really like to invest in faculty
development, and there’s just not a lot of money
will gain the most available from our normal budget to do those
kinds of things.”
benefit possible. The college has tentatively identified 12
first- and second-year courses as targets for this
initiative. Each will be divided into two sections,
with one taught in the traditional manner as a
control group.
Both sections of each course will use the same
materials — textbooks, quizzes and tests. Only
the delivery mechanisms will vary. Regardless
of the teaching method used, all students will
benefit from smaller class sizes and the resulting
increased attention from the instructor.
Although earning an engineering degree is
hard work, Kanto says, it shouldn’t be something
students suffer through.
“Finding a way to align the experience with
the individual and the way they learn best, as
well as something that makes them a better
technical professional, is great,” Kanto says.
Dustin Holbrook photo
40 ARIZONA ALUMNI MAGAZINE
