Essential Skills and Lifelong Learning at EKU Russ Carpenter and Gil Hunter

Dr. Russel Carpenter

Assistant Provost & Professor of English; Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Faculty Development

Eastern Kentucky University 

Dr. Gill Hunter

Director, Academic Experience and Engagement; Professor of English

Eastern Kentucky University

Quotes of the Podcast: 

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." — Benjamin Franklin

Introduction of Guest BIO – 

Russell Carpenter, Ph.D. is Assistant Provost and Professor of English at Eastern Kentucky University. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Faculty Development. Carpenter has written or edited a wide range of books including Engaging Millennial Faculty, Studio-Based Approaches for Multimodal Projects, Writing Studio Pedagogy, Sustainable Learning Spaces, and Design for Composition. Articles have appeared in Computers and Composition, Journal of Learning Spaces, Across the Disciplines, Journal of Excellence in College Teaching, Academic Leader, Journal of Creative and Artistic Education, among others, and is a columnist for the National Teaching and Learning Forum. His current book project is Smart Programming for Teaching and Learning Centers, with Michael Strawser, which will be available in early 2026 by Routledge. Carpenter is the former President of the Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA) and Chair of the National Association of Communication Centers. He received the 2018 Turner Award from the National Association of Communication Centers, along with the 2015 Preston Award for Leadership. In 2020, he was awarded the Southeastern Writing Center Association’s highest recognition, the Achievement Award.

Dr. Gill Hunter is a Professor of English and Director of Academic Experience and Engagement at Eastern Kentucky University, where he also directs the McNair Scholars Program, a federal TRIO program. Gill has been at EKU for 20 years and has worked as an educator for 30 years. He lives in Berea, Kentucky with his wife and near his two girls and 5 grandchildren. 

Interview

Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• 10 Essential Skills at EKU
• Creativity and Innovation (Russ)
• How to embed into pedagogy
• How to empower students
• Russ’ New Book Smart Programming for Teaching and Learning Centers
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?” 

Podcast/ website/ book shoutouts

Smart Programming for Teaching and Learning Centers, Kevin G Strawser and Russell Carpenter 

Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning, James Lang

Irreplaceable: How to Create Extraordinary Places that Bring People Together Kevin Kelley,

Creative Confidence, David Kelley,

Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P

Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions

Support the show

Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox

Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions