Authentic Assessment in Higher Education

How can gamification, digital badges, and microcredientials meaningfully enhance learning, motivation, and career readiness--without reducing education to points and prizes?

Listen as Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., Dean of Continuing Education and Professional Studies and Associate Professor of Marketing in the Stillman School of Business, discusses the growing role of microcredentials in lifelong learning and workforce development. She explores how universities can create meaningful, community-centered learning experiences that help students and professionalsbuild practical skills, professional networks, and career readiness in a rapidly changing world.  We will also hear from Ben Pincus, MBA, MSBM, Associate Dean for Assessment and Engagement and Professor in the Department of Management within the Stillman School of Business, who shares how gamification and badging can support student engagement and professional skill development. He also discusses the importance of creating experiences that help students apply what they’velearned and communicate the value of those experiences to future employers.  Stay tuned for the next season of Innovate and Educate, coming in Fall 2026!    Key topics + time stamps   Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-01:00 ]   Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., who serves as the Associate Provost of Partnerships & Global Initiatives, the Dean of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, as well as an Associate Professor, Stillman School, Department of Marketing [01:01-10:53 ]  Ben Pincus, MBA, MSBM, Associate Dean for Assessment and External Engagement, Stillman School of Business [10:55-20:26 ]   Episode Wrap-up [20:30-21:55 ]      Resources   Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D.: Contact Information [https://www.shu.edu/profiles/naatusma.html]  Ben Pincus, MBA, MSBM: Contact Information [benjamin.pincus@shu.edu]     Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website [https://innovateandeducate.podbean.com/]   Email address: tltc@shu.edu [tltc@shu.edu]

First-Year Student Experiences at Seton Hall

In Season 2, Episode 6 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we explore how institutions can create impactful First-Year experiences that support student success from the very beginning of their college journey. This episode focuses on the importance of designing intentional, high-impact programs that foster belonging, persistence, and holistic student development during this critical transition period.  Join us as Karen Van Norman, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, Omayra Arocho, Assistant Vice President of Student Services and Dean of the Center for Academic Success, and Joshua Dornbos, Associate Dean of the Center for Academic Success, share their perspectives on supporting First-Year students. You’ll hear how campus leaders collaborate across departments, the strategies they use to build proactive support systems, and examples of programs and partnerships that help students navigate the transition to college and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.  Key topics + time stamps    Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-01:25]    Karen Van Norman, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students [01:26-7:40]   * Contact information: karen.vannorman@shu.edu [karen.vannorman@shu.edu]   * Division of Student Services: https://www.shu.edu/student-services/ [https://www.shu.edu/student-services/]   * CAPS: https://www.shu.edu/counseling-psychological-services/ [https://www.shu.edu/counseling-psychological-services/]  * THRIVE: https://www.shu.edu/student-services/students-dare-to-care.html [https://www.shu.edu/student-services/students-dare-to-care.html]  * The Well: https://www.shu.edu/student-services/the-well.html [https://www.shu.edu/student-services/the-well.html]  Omayra Arocho, Assistant Vice President of Student Services and Dean of the Center for Academic Success and Joshua Dornbos, Associate Dean of the Center for Academic Success [07:45-22:50]   * Contact information: omayra.arocho@shu.edu [omayra.arocho@shu.edu] and Joshua.dornbos@shu.edu [Joshua.dornbos@shu.edu]   * Center for Academic Success: https://www.shu.edu/center-for-academic-success/ [https://www.shu.edu/center-for-academic-success/]   * Transformational Student Experiences: https://www.shu.edu/strategic-plan/priority-1.html [https://www.shu.edu/strategic-plan/priority-1.html]  Episode Wrap-up [22:51-23:54]   Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website [https://innovateandeducate.podbean.com/]    Email address: tltc@shu.edu  [tltc@shu.edu]

Authentic Assessment in Higher Education

In Season 2, Episode 5 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we’re discussing how authentic assessments create more meaningful, real-world connections to course content, helping students see the relevance of what they are learning. We also highlight how faculty at Seton Hall University are leveraging digital tools to support both engagement and assessment. You’ll discover how technology can help reimagine traditional assignments into dynamic learning experiences. Join us as Dr. Randall Clemens, Associate Dean in the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media (CHDCM) and Associate Professor in the Department of Education Leadership, Management and Policy (ELMP), and Dr. Elizabeth Van Dyk, Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner program for the Graduate Department of the College of Nursing, share their perspectives on authentic assessment. You’ll hear why they switched from more traditional assignments, the theory behind their reasoning, the impact authentic assessments have had on student learning, and examples used in classes. Stay tuned for the next episode of Innovate and Educate, coming the last Thursday in April! Key topics + time stamps  Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-00:55]  Dr. Randall Clemens, Associate Dean in the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media (CHDCM) and Associate Professor in the Department of Education Leadership, Management and Policy (ELMP) [00:56-09:50] * Contact information [https://www.shu.edu/profiles/clemenr1.html] for Dr. Clemens Dr. Elizabeth Van Dyk, Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner program for the Graduate Department of the College of Nursing [09:56-20:35] * Contact information [https://www.shu.edu/profiles/vandykel.html] for Dr. Van Dyk   Episode Wrap-up [20:36-21:43]   Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website [https://innovateandeducate.podbean.com/]  Email address: tltc@shu.edu  [tltc@shu.edu]

Discussing Seton Hall’s New Innovation Hub

In Season 2, Episode 4 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we’re discussing Seton Hall’s new Innovation Hub—a collaborative environment designed to inspire creativity, experimentation, and new approaches to teaching and learning. With its wide variety of tools—from Cricut to 3D printing and more—podcast booths, collaborative spaces, STEM applications, and just-in-time learning resources, the Innovation Hub will have something to interest everyone. We’ll have a group conversation with Mike Soupios, Executive Director of the TLTC, Renee Cicchino, Director of Instructional Design and Training, Chris Petruzzi, Director of Design and Digital Media, John Fernandes, Senior Director of IT Service Management, and Scott Bergenfeld, Trainer and Makerspace Coordinator. Together, they’ll share the vision behind the space, how it will serve our campus community, and what it means for the future of innovation at Seton Hall. Stay tuned for the next episode of Innovate and Educate, coming the last Thursday in February Key topics + time stamps  Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-01:08]  Group Conversation [01:08-28:19] Episode Wrap-up [28:19-29:23]   Resources * Innovation Hub website [https://www.shu.edu/technology/innovation-hub/] * Maker Studio page [https://www.shu.edu/technology/innovation-hub/maker-studio.html] * XR/AI Studio page [https://www.shu.edu/technology/innovation-hub/xr-ai-studio.html] * Content Creation Studios page [https://www.shu.edu/technology/innovation-hub/content-creation-studios.html] * Solutions Studio page [https://www.shu.edu/technology/innovation-hub/solutions-studio.html] * Innovation Hub FAQs page [https://www.shu.edu/technology/innovation-hub/faq.html] Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website [https://innovateandeducate.podbean.com/]  Email address: tltc@shu.edu  [tltc@shu.edu]

How can colleges and universities better support students as they prepare for life after graduation?

Episode Summary: In Season 2, Episode 3 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we explore how higher education can empower students to connect their learning with meaningful career pathways. For National Career Development Month, we ask an important question: “How can colleges and universities better support students as they prepare for life after graduation?”  Join us as Jorge Rivera, Director of Career Services at Seton Hall’s South Orange campus, and Jacqueline Pirone, Assistant Dean of Seton Hall Law’s Office of Career Services (OCS), share their perspectives on mentoring, transferable skills, and the evolving needs of today’s workforce. They offer practical guidance for faculty, staff, and students seeking to bridge the gap between academic experiences and professional success.  Stay tuned for the next episode of Innovate and Educate, coming the fourth Thursday in January!    Key topics + time stamps   Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-00:40]   Jorge Rivera, Director of Career Services on the South Orange campus [00:40-12:56]  Jacqueline Pirone, Assistant Dean of Seton Hall Law’s Office of Career Services [12:56-26:28]  Episode Wrap-up [26:28- 27:15]     Resources  * Jorge Rivera  * Email [jorge.rivera@shu.edu]  * Career Center homepage [https://www.shu.edu/career-center/]  * Jacqueline Pirone  * Email [jacqueline.pirone@shu.edu]  * Career Services homepage [https://law.shu.edu/career-services/index.html]  * The OCS Bulletin [https://law.shu.edu/career-services/ocs-bulletin.html]    Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website [https://innovateandeducate.podbean.com/]   Email address: tltc@shu.edu  [tltc@shu.edu]