New Faculty say, they are ‘Passionate’ About Innovation at AUC

• Reporters: Nour Askar & Farid Khaled
• Editor: Farida Yassin

Twenty-one new faculty who joined the university this fall say they are excited about bringing their perspectives and experiences to AUC, and are quickly integrating into the diverse educational system.

For some who graduated from AUC, teaching at their alma mater is an opportunity to give back to the community and make connections with students and coworkers.

Yasmine Eissa, an assistant professor of economics, said that she’s wanted to be a teacher from a very young age and that AUC helped guide her toward her goal.

“My B.A. and M.A. were at AUC, and I owe a lot to this place.My goal is to add to the liberal arts education system and enhance students’ experience in the discipline of my specialization,” she said.

Before returning to AUC professor, she had been teaching part-time while working on her Ph.D. in international economics.

Eissa said the fall semester has so far been exciting but also tough. One challenge was planning fun activities for her classes. She also had to help students figure out how to use AI tools, and she joked about how hard it was to find time for a quick coffee between classes.

No stranger to AUC, she said she already knew about the lively and welcoming atmosphere. She said coming back as a faculty member felt great because she could give back through teaching, research, and other activities.

“I enjoy being among learners and dreamers,” she said, adding that it is important to get to know the students and engage with them right from the start.

The key to a productive semester, she says, is to stay organized, ask coworkers for help, and just be patient and flexible with yourself.

Nermine Said, an associate professor of practice in the Theater Program at the Department of the Arts, School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HUSS), said she is excited by the academic year and engaging with students.

A professional costume designer before joining AUC, Said has a long history of training designers and finds teaching to be an inspiring challenge.

“I love that it challenges me every day and keeps me open to new ideas,” she said.

Her main motivation for joining AUC stems from her strong connection to the university, having graduated from the theater department herself. She is thrilled to return and make a positive impact on students’ lives.

“This is my first semester, trying to adapt to the academic system after years in the commercial sector. Many students can get bored easily in class, so keeping them engaged is essential,” Said said.

Said highlighted the value of building respectful relationships with her students, understanding their individual personalities, and showing them that she cares beyond academic performance.

Meanwhile, Jason Myrick, Associate Director of Digital Education at the Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT), emphasized the importance of creating high-quality and accessible educational experiences. With a background in instructional design, Myrick is excited about helping AUC grow its digital education programs.

“My goal is to enhance the integration of technology in the classroom and make learning accessible for all students,” he said.

Myrick worked at several international universities as an instructor, instructional designer, and program director. He recently worked in the United States as a lead learning designer, where he developed online courses and led a team of educational technologists.

“I’m passionate about the power of education to transform lives. I enjoy working with faculty to create learning environments where students can thrive, and I believe that technology can play a key role in this transformation, particularly for non-traditional and underserved learners,” said Myrick.

He said one of his biggest challenges during the first semester was learning about the culture at AUC and figuring out how to communicate the benefits of digital education to a diverse group of people.

“AUC has a unique blend of traditions and forward-thinking approaches, which is different from my previous institutions. There is a strong emphasis on face-to-face interaction and personal relationships, which I love, but I am still advocating for the advantages of digital and blended learning,” he said.