Keystone Concepts in Teaching: A Higher Education Podcast from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning
Keystone Concepts in Teaching is a higher education podcast from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning at George Mason University focused on discussing and sharing impactful teaching strategies that support all students and faculty.
Start listening below!
Season 3: Fall 2025
Episode 28: Dynamic Faculty Transforming Education
Drs. Esther Park, Iulia Fratila, Allison Miner, and Yanika Kowitlawakul join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss how they got started as new faculty members, their efforts to transform their teaching and students’ learning, and engagement with professional development.
Click here to access the transcript.
Resource: Stearns Center events calendar: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/events/ (events open to Mason affiliates only)
Episode 27: Teaching Overlapping, Socially Pressing Issues
Dr. Lynnette Leonard and Dr. Dakota McCarty join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to explore how we approach from different disciplines teaching difficult topics, including those with social contexts and relevance.
Click here to access the transcript.
Resource: Mason Korea website: https://masonkorea.gmu.edu
Episode 26: Writing Across the Curriculum
Drs. Tom Polk and Joan Hwang join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to explore what Writing Across the Curriculum is, how it has developed, and current initiatives and impacts.
Click here to access the transcript.
Resources: Writing Across the Curriculum: https://wac.gmu.edu/ WAC Research Reports: https://wac.gmu.edu/past-assessment-and-program-review-resources/ Meaningful Writing Report: go.gmu.edu/meaningfulwriting
Episode 25: Preparing for and Facilitating Difficult Conversations and Situations in Teaching
In our second Hear From Your Host episode, Dr. Rachel Yoho, the regular host of the podcast, becomes the guest as Producer Kelly Chandler guest hosts to facilitate a conversation on how we prepare for and navigate difficult situations in educational spaces.
Click here to access the transcript.
Resource: Stearns Center Events Calendar (registrations for George Mason affiliates only): https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/events/
Episode 24: All About Grading
Dr. Lisa Gring-Pemble, Dr. Aimee Weinstein, Maoria Kirker, and Doug McKenna join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss alternative grading strategies such as ungrading.
Click here to access the transcript.
Resource: Stearns Center Events Calendar (registrations for Mason affiliates only): https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/events/
Episode 23: Exploring Free Speech and Academic Freedom in Teaching
Zach Greenberg, from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), joins your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, as the first guest from outside of the university to have an exploratory and academic talk about the timely topics of free speech and academic freedom. Please note that this episode was planned in June 2025 and recorded in August 2025. This is an academic exploration of a topic, not a set of directives, as are all podcast episodes.
Click here to access the transcript.
Resources: The FIRE Org: https://www.thefire.org FIRE’s Free Speech page: https://www.thefire.org/defending-your-rights/free-speech FIRE’s Academic Freedom page: https://www.thefire.org/defending-your-rights/academic-freedom FIRE’s Research & Learn page: https://www.thefire.org/research-learn
Episode 22: The Learning Services Office is Supporting Student Success
Vicki Dominick from Learning Services joins your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss the resources and opportunities available through the efforts of the Learning Services office.
Click here to access the transcript.
Resources: Learning Services at George Mason University: https://learningservices.gmu.edu Learning Services workshop announcements: https://learningservices.gmu.edu/workshops/ Tutoring resources: https://learningservices.gmu.edu/tutoring-resources2/
Episode 21: Podcasting as a Transformative Communication Strategy
Dr. Leigh McCue, Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Philip Wilkerson, Employer Engagement Consultant, join Dr. Rachel Yoho to discuss how podcasting can be a transformative communication strategy – for your course, research, department, or even as a hobby to make professional connections.
Click here to access the transcript.
Resources: Please check out the Mason Mechanical Engineer, hosted by Dr. Leigh McCue and Philip Wilkerson, where Dr. Rachel Yoho was a guest on their podcast in this crossover episode collaboration!
Mason Mechanical Engineer Podcast Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5N29nLkCvKt9euupjWex39?si=6a9313a7c7424311
Positive Philter Podcast Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yr4WIxoB6qgdgU0n5cxBt?si=ae8daf52a5af4a09
GMU Podcast Links: GMU Podcast Directory Form: https://forms.office.com/r/sLn6Xhs9NBm Podcast Club at George Mason RSO Join Link (students only): https://mason360.gmu.edu/PodcastClubGeorgeMason/club_signup
Other: HigherEd PodCon Website: https://www.higheredpodcon.com/
Episode 20: Level Up Your Teaching with Community Engagement and Civic Learning
Kristen Wright and Dr. Shauna Rigaud, of the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning at George Mason University, join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss opportunities for community-engaged teaching and civic learning and… maybe a little teaching and learning magic!
Click here to access the transcript.
Resources: Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECiL) Website: https://cecil.gmu.edu/ CECiL’s Community-Based Learning Introduction: https://cecil.gmu.edu/faculty-resources/community-based-learning-0 CECiL’s Engaged Summer Program: https://cecil.gmu.edu/community-partners/engaged-summer-program George Mason University’s Quality Enhancement Plan: https://provost.gmu.edu/academics/accreditation/quality-enhancement-plan CECiL Course Designations: https://cecil.gmu.edu/faculty-resources/course-designations CECiL Training and Support: https://cecil.gmu.edu/faculty-resources/training-and-support