The first Generation Z students have arrived, and with them comes a host of unique challenges that stretch our well-used and applied pedagogical strategies. These digital natives are more independent-minded than collaborative team players. Join one of our Sage Faculty Partners, Regina Durante, Ph.D., who will share fresh insights on what makes Gen Z so different, creative, and unique from students you have taught in the past, as well as strategies for reaching these students in your classrooms today.

Regina Durante, Ph.D., is a passionate political science educator with over 35 years of experience, including advocating online learning since 1998. At Galveston College in Texas, she ignites student interest in American Government, Texas Politics, and a wide range of topics on local, state, and national levels. Dr. Durante is a strong advocate for engaging teaching methods, utilizing online platforms to foster independent learning and connect students with critical concepts.

Sage author and Political Science Professor Lisa Baglione, Ph.D., shares strategies for engaging today's diverse students in Introduction to Comparative Politics. Drawing from real-world examples, using sports analogies, incorporating film clips, and other scenarios, she is able to capture the interest of both majors and non-majors in her political science courses.

Dr. Baglione also discusses the importance of ensuring students can see themselves in politics, explaining how gender, ethnicity, and other identities intersect with power structures. She notes that small changes like using inclusive language and real-world examples can make political science more accessible in the classroom without a complete overhaul.

In part 2 of a 2-part podcast on trends in Mass Communication (listen to part 1 here, part of the Sage College Publishing Podcast channel), best-selling author and educator Vincent F. Filak emphasizes the value of DEI in broadening perspectives and fostering student engagement and growth. He highlights more inclusive teaching strategies and integrative approaches to representing diverse experiences.