Kathryn Weinland

Dr. Weinland’s teaching centers on creating engaging, supportive, and student-focused learning environments that promote both academic success and personal development. She emphasizes active learning, scientific reasoning, and leadership development through experiential learning, collaborative activities, case studies, reflective assignments, and classroom technology designed to increase student engagement and participation. Her teaching and scholarship particularly focus on the use of active learning strategies, gamification, and instructional technology to strengthen critical thinking, collaboration, and long-term retention in higher education classrooms.

As the coordinator for PSYC 1113 (Introduction to Psychology), Dr. Weinland mentors graduate instructors and undergraduate teaching assistants, oversees course consistency across sections, develops shared instructional resources, and trains teaching assistants on grading practices, professionalism, student support, and best teaching practices in large-enrollment courses. She regularly incorporates strategies such as Kahoot, retrieval practice, formative assessment, peer discussion, and reflective learning activities to create interactive classroom experiences that encourage participation and deeper learning.

Her teaching philosophy is grounded in empathy and leadership development. She is passionate about helping students build confidence, communication skills, ethical awareness, and a sense of belonging both inside and outside of the classroom. Through her work with the Hargis Leadership Institute, Psychology House, leadership micro-credentials, and student mentoring initiatives, she strives to help students develop into thoughtful professionals, ethical leaders, and engaged citizens.