Like most Syracuse University professors, Matthew Mulvaney acknowledges the relationship between student-faculty interaction and student educational outcomes. But such interactions are a two-way street, he explains, because students can also inspire their professors.
“I feed off my students’ energy and passion for work,” admits the associate professor and chair of human development and family science in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. “I’m proud to help them become instruments of change.”
Studies show that fostering a culture of mutual respect and open exchange benefits students and faculty alike. In this first of a two-part series, professors explain how this unique chemistry empowers them as teachers and transforms the academic process.
Shiu-Kai Chin ’75, G’78, G’86
Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Chin has worn various hats during his 50-plus years at Syracuse— provost’s faculty fellow, interim dean, professor and student. But the 2024 recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal—the University’s highest honor—admits that he’s happiest mentoring others. “A chance encounter with a prospective doctoral student, about 30 years ago, changed everything,” Chin remembers.
Professor Emeritus Shiu-Kai Chin ’75, G’78, G’86 (right) with Benjamin Johnson'24, who is now with the U.S. Space Force.
“One person who profoundly shaped my teaching and research was Maj. Donna Peterson G’93, then director of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s computer security branch. She later became my doctoral student after dropping by my office one day, unannounced, to introduce herself and ask me if I knew anything about computer security—which I didn’t.
“From that day onward, I’ve focused on cybersecurity, trustworthy systems and mission assurance, all of which are important to national security and society. After 38 years with the University (four of which were with the Air Force Research Laboratory) and 11 years with GE Aerospace, I still do research for the National Security Agency and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.”
Jamie Miller Morris
Professor of Art, Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Syracuse University Program in Florence
Miller is a steady presence in Florence, imparting her knowledge of and passion for painting, drawing and mixed media work with students. “They’re an inspiration,” says the award-winning Cleveland-born artist. “My students reignite my faith in how creativity brings people together in positive, constructive ways.” She notes the “rich interactions” that imbue her popular Painting Studio I class (ARI 261).
“They’re an inspiration,” says art professor Jamie Miller Morris (standing) of her Syracuse Abroad students.
“The topic of each class varies, but we start by expressing personal insights and interests as well as discussing current and future projects. As the conversation circles around the table, I’m able to witness the true depth of each student’s commitment to becoming the best version of themselves while demonstrating mutual caring and respect for one another.
“This commitment is equally evident during critiques, with everyone participating and expressing pertinent observations geared toward excellence. It’s such a beautiful experience for me to interact with these students.”
Walter Freeman
Associate Teaching Professor of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences
Freeman leads some of the physics department’s most popular courses, like General Physics (PHY 211) and Our Corner of the Universe (AST 101), while recruiting and mentoring undergraduate “junior instructors.” “I emphasize active learning methods and use computational physics across the curricula,” says Freeman, whose former students include Brendan Parlee ’24, Xinning “Lisa” Li ’23, Andrew Nibbi ’24 and Kiersten Edwards ’23. “My goal is to inspire learning and build enthusiasm in the classroom.”
Professor Walter Freeman (center) leads some of the physics department’s most popular courses. “My goal is to inspire learning and build enthusiasm,” he says.
“With students like Brendan [who earned a bachelor’s degree in physics], I try not so much to teach them as remove obstacles to their learning. A homeschooler, he never took a physics or calculus course until college. That didn’t stop him from becoming a published researcher, a sought-after peer mentor and a popular junior instructor. Brendan reminded me every day that youth is no impediment to intelligence.
“Lisa [who graduated with degrees in physics and visual communications] taught me volumes about the experiences of Chinese students in the United States. She’s an award-winning storyteller who uses the visual arts to quietly foster communication and mutual understanding. The same creative ethos pervaded her work as a student researcher and a lead physics coach.
“For their final project in AST 101, Kiersten wrote a long poem comparing gravity to social cohesion during the pandemic, and Andrew composed original music to accompany the text. Their project was so illuminating, poignant and inspirational that I returned it to them ungraded. I told Kiersten [a neuroscience and public health graduate] and Andrew [who earned a degree in television, radio and film] that I was learning from them, not the other way around.”
Michelle Santosuosso
Professor of Practice in the Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
Santosuosso is a creative polymath with a background in broadcast programming, record company marketing and promotion, artist development and content creation. “I like to share my expertise with students whenever possible,” says the former editor of HITS Magazine. In May, she supervised the Bandier program’s inaugural student-run concert, Spring Madhouse, which took place at a club in downtown Syracuse.
Professor Michelle Santosuosso (second row, fourth from left) and students at The Song & Dance, which hosted Spring Madhouse in May.
“The most notable characteristic of my students is their changemaking energy. I’m regularly inspired by them because they’re inherently entrepreneurial.
“Our Spring Madhouse branding team—Bria Lewis ’26, Adriana Vivas ’26 and Tamzin Folz ’26—closed local and national sponsorship. The social marketing push was led by Rosamaria Garces ’26 and Suzette Nicholson ’26, both of whom did content creation, and by Grace Malone ’26, who handled calendaring. I also learned just how far generative AI has come by watching Andre Ceppi ’26 write genius prompts to elicit stunning visuals.
“We got enough paying customers through the door to cover our costs and turn a profit. … I’m excited to see what this year’s student cohort will do, as they’ll have a much bigger role in artist development, booking, marketing and merchandising.”
