Reflections on the Fall Semester and Academia

The academic semesters go so quickly! My grades are submitted, I'm wrapping up the changes I'll make to the course next year, and saying farewell to my students. I taught 2 sections of Behavioral and Social Sciences in Health to incoming MPH students this Fall, and it was truly fun. Today I'll share some highlights from teaching and other academic pursuits this semester.

Student map of a town designed with substance use treatment in mind.

First, teaching graduate students is a delight. They are in class for a reason, and they have a vision for where they want to be. Many work on or off campus, and I remember those days as a blur myself -- it's how I got through both of my graduate degrees and it's hard. But I learned a lot from my students this semester, and we covered a lot of ground. Course-relevant topics obviously, but I also try to include professional and leadership skills that will serve them throughout their careers. We had guest speakers share about their career pathways in public health, created infographics and academic posters, used AI to create public health social media messaging, spruced up our LinkedIn profiles and general online presence, and reflected on our different individual identities.

Topics covered in Behavioral and Social Sciences in Health

One personal takeaway is just how quick my time with each group of students really is - I have 14 weeks with them, to plant the seeds I think are important, and to mentor and support their public health journey. And then, as swiftly as it began, I transition to the next group of eager minds!

On the research and scholarship front, this might sound obvious, but I am mostly surprised at the academic freedom I have being faculty! Since academia was never truly on my radar, I hadn't thought much about how I would actually have time and thinking space to generate and explore ideas. And I LOVE it. I found myself waking up with ideas I want to research, I set aside to write about them even if they don't lead to something right away, yet some of them did result in studies that are already under way. Access to time, an efficient IRB, and other faculty mentors goes a long way to advancing my own ideas.

This semester, I had 1 manuscript accepted, 2 rejected but still in process to submit to other journals, started a new research study on AI usage in the classroom, partnered with my colleagues at NJDOH to develop a manuscript based on data analysis we did last year, applied to a fellowship, and more! It was a productive few months.

I know I'll have more departmental responsibilities as time goes on, so I'm grateful for the ability to settle in and set some solid scholarship foundations and research habits this semester.

As I head into winter break, I plan to take some more time to reflect on this term, and I keep returning to this poem/reflection on teaching (I'll link to the book once I find it!)

Poem about teaching, attributed to the Dalai Lama

But don't worry, it's not all navel-gazing over the break. I'll be prepping for Spring semester, finishing a grant application, working on a consulting project, and working on some manuscripts. Slowly planting seeds, and nurturing the promise of future growth and discovery.