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Tag: part-time teaching

Published on Leave a comment on Spotlight on Part-time Faculty

Spring part-time faculty are often smaller in number than in fall semesters, and departments often rely on returning teachers to teach course offerings. Spring 2025 at Xavier was no different. This group included several returning teachers with tremendous experience in a range of disciplines.

Dr. Alla Rosca of the Political Science department completed the part-time faculty support program and is now CAT+FD certified! In addition to contributing greatly to our monthly meetings, Dr. Rosca also participated in the CAT+FD Faculty Writing Group. Dr. Rosca teaches quantitative analysis and research methods in Poli-Sci, serves on the board of the World Affairs Council, and has authored three books including her most recent, on the topic of democratic transitions, as well as over 60 academic articles. She is one of many powerhouse part-time teachers at Xavier and we are fortunate to have her in our teaching ranks.

A special shout out goes to Professor Christopher Hatten, maker-space and robotics teacher in XCOR, who contributed greatly to the monthly cohort. Professor Hatten stays busy between Xavier and his high-school robotics teaching, and Zoomed into our monthly meetings from the high-school. Excellent effort!

The XCOR and its interdisciplinary approach to a core, liberal-arts education, at a STEM-heavy school, is a big part of what makes Xavier competitive, appealing, and relevant to students. Having teachers from the part-time ranks teaching these courses, crafted around themes of New Orleans and the Xavier Mission, speaks volumes to the expertise and versatility of this group.

In the fall of 2025, we once again have a vibrant roster of part-time teachers. I've already met several at orientation and was excited to see some familiar faces as well, including some joining the group for the first time after teaching at Xavier for several years. I know these teachers will have a lot to bring to the table, and I look forward to hearing their insights on the challenges of the day.

Thanks again to Dr. Rosca and Professor Hatten, and I look forward to highlighting the next outstanding Xavier part-time faculty members!

Published on Leave a comment on Spotlight on Part-time Instructors – Fall 2024
Marlana Fireman
Marlana Fireman
Matthew Hanson
Matthew Hanson
Allison Morvant
Allison Morvant

This semester marked the start year two of our program to support Xavier part-time instructors, the first beyond last year's pilot. The school was fortunate once again in assembling an incredible roster of part-time teaching talent, across all colleges, divisions, and departments. It was once again my pleasure to meet and work with such an engaged and interesting cohort.

Three individuals in particular, Marlana Fireman (English), Matthew Hanson (English), and Allison Morvant (History), showed amazing dedication to the cause, participating in CAT+FD efforts to promote the scholarship of teaching and learning, which in turn enhances their classes and student experiences as well. These teachers demonstrate the idea of serious reflection as crucial to academic endeavors on any level, and especially within Xavier's particular mission-driven framework.

Marlana Botnick Fireman (she/her) is a writer and editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. She completed her MFA in creative writing at the University of New Orleans and was awarded the Joanna Leake Prize for Fiction Thesis. They are a former Associate Fiction Editor for Bayou Magazine.

Matthew Hanson was born and raised in Massachusetts and has lived in New Orleans for five years. He has taught at Xavier, Delgado Community College, and UMass-Boston. He is also a contributing editor at The Arts Fuse and American Purpose, with his essays and criticism appearing in a variety of publications.

Allison Morvant earned a PhD in history from Louisiana State University and holds an MA in Political Science from LSU as well. In addition to Xavier, she has taught at LSU and South Louisiana Community College.

Any institution benefits from having teachers such as these in their ranks, and Xavier will be lucky to keep them in the future, as the market forces of part-time teaching, as well as as personal and professional goals, do their work. In fact, Matthew Hanson has recently accepted a senior lecturer position at Delgado Community College. We wish him all the best in his new role! Best wishes as well to Marlana and Allison, to all of Xavier's part-time teachers, and a very happy holiday break to everyone!

Jeremy Tuman