AMM Lecturer Presents on "Fearless Classroom"

An apparel merchandising and management lecturer gave a poster presentation at a campus symposium about an innovative program to improve the classroom learning environment for students.

Nichole Dwyer made her presentation on “The Fearless Classroom Project” at the Equity in Practice Symposium, which was held on April 19 at the Kellogg West Conference Center.

The Fearless Classroom Project aims to improve student academic performance, engagement in the classroom, and commitment to their education by creating classrooms where there is mutual trust and respect between students and their instructors.

The project evolved out of another program that was created to teach AMM students the professional skills that employers desire. The initial program taught them teamwork, professional communication, business etiquette, punctuality, oral and written communication, and leadership.

It was expanded to include the “fearless classroom” concept – creating a psychologically safe environment where everyone uses nonviolent communication skills essential for work performance and innovation.

The symposium was sponsored by Cal Poly Pomona’s Center for the Advancement for Faculty Excellence (CAFÉ), the Office of Student Success, Equity and Innovation (OSS), and Institutional Research, Planning, Analytics (IRPA).