TESTIMONIOS

"I took Dr. Arely Acuña for Student Development Theory. Although the theoretical EDHP (Student Development Theory) set of courses can sometimes be considered dryer due to heavy conceptual/historical content, Dr. Acuña kept the class engaged through discussions and found creative ways to apply learning content to real-life scenarios. She maintained sincerity and trust with the class—for example, if she found textbook theories dated or limited in multicultural aspects, she would self-disclose this to her class. Rather than rely solely on lectures, she encouraged students to share their own insight regarding theories from readings and our relevant experiences. I especially appreciated her feedback during “Theory Response” reflection assignments—it was clear she valued the thoughts of her students and paid careful attention to our learning. Beyond classroom instruction, Dr. Acuña connected with students by offering consultation and professional advice. She has generously offered insight into her career trajectory, providing opportunities for students to ask questions regarding her professional and personal achievements. She has been transparent about her ups and downs along her education/career path, which is inspiring for students who are figuring it out and in great need of honesty and guidance. Overall, Dr. Acuña has far exceeded her role as simply an “instructor,” and I would highly recommend taking a course with her there is an opportunity to do so."

- Jennifer Yeh, Master of Education in Educational Counseling (EC) Student (Fall 2021)

"The best learning experience of this class was the community that was created. Everyone participated and brought their own perspective into this class. I think this is very important because as individuals we cannot live the experiences of others but collectively we can learn about each other's experiences and how that shapes other's perspectives. This makes a more holistic learning environment where we have a rich and diverse community we all can benefit from."

- Tony Huezo, Master of Education in Educational Counseling (EC) Student (Spring 2021)

"Learning with Dr. Acuña felt like a collaborative process. She emphasized collective meaning-making and served more as a facilitator of discussion than as an imparter of knowledge. Dr. Acuña's expertise came through in the insightful questions she posed, comments she made, and lines of interpretation she invited us to explore. Moreover, Dr. Acuña's care for her students and respect for us as people with lives and responsibilities was clear from the very beginning."

- Anonymous (Spring 2021)