Emily Nwakpuda, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Instruction, Department of
Public Affairs and Planning, College of Architecture

Service Learning Course(s):

• PAPP/PLAN-6346, Advanced Data Analysis in Urban & Public Affairs

“Service learning is important because we do want to try our best to expose students to real partners who have real needs."

Dr. Emily Nwakpuda has been a part of the UTA community since 2020, developing her pedagogy and perfecting the development of her courses. She feels that education is a transformative journey that extends far beyond the confines of a classroom; it is an experience that encourages students to develop their own unique learning styles, cultivate their preferences, and explore their passions.

She wants her students to have the most dynamic experience possible, which is a sentiment shared with others in her department. Dr. Nwakpuda's mission is to create the most dynamic and impactful learning environments for our students, enabling them to become active participants in shaping their education.

As a service learning faculty fellow, Dr. Nwakpuda enjoyed the feedback and experience of the many professors because she was able to gain an understanding that service learning can be conducted in many different ways. For faculty hesitant about implementing service learning, Dr. Nwakpuda encourages faculty to do the best they can and understand that there is no one recipe for it.

Becoming a faculty fellow will assist in getting over the apprehensive barrier when it comes to implementing service learning.