Inclusive Pedagogy Academy

Dr. Soumia Bardhan

Soumia Bardhan is associate professor of Communication and interim director of International Studies. Her scholarly interests include media and global communication, intercultural communication, Islam/religion, politics, and communication, Muslim minority identities and discursive practices, intercultural pedagogy and curriculum internationalization. Her teaching philosophy is informed by critical pedagogy and intercultural praxis. She sees teaching and learning as having three interwoven stages: help learners think in new ways and think for themselves, expose them to new content and teach ways to learn and organize new ideas, and facilitate the development of well-supported arguments that challenge existing thinking. Her courses usually focus on promoting global learning and diversity, as she is committed to advancing education that engages issues of difference to promote the learner’s preparation for life in a diverse and global society. 

Testimonial from Dr. Bardhan:

Serving as co-facilitator and instructor in CU Denver’s Inclusive Pedagogy Academy (IPA) has been a incredibly fulfilling experience. The program's focus on promoting equitable and student-centered teaching practices resonated deeply with me, and it was a privilege to support fellow faculty members on this transformative journey. Through the course, I saw participants passionately reimagining their syllabi, course policies, and teaching philosophies to better align with inclusive principles. Although this journey is challenging, the growth and transformation I witnessed were truly inspiring. Their commitment to creating more welcoming and supportive learning environments was remarkable. This experience reinforced my belief in the profound impact that inclusive pedagogy can have on both educators and learners. It was an honor to contribute to such a meaningful and impactful program.

Dr. Jennifer Camacho Taylor

Jennifer Camacho Taylor (she/her/ella) is someone who values equity in every aspect of her life and is consistently working on decolonizing her mindset. Her research focuses on the intersection of mental health and racial ethnic socialization. She has prioritized social justice while teaching, serving as a university DEI facilitator, working as an Assistant Director at a Multicultural center, through her scholarly writing, and in her daily work. Her work is aimed at honoring her first generation journey, immigrant parents, and any historically excluded individual who does not see themselves represented in higher education.

She currently serves as the internship community liaison supporting undergraduate students in finding internship sites and maintaining relationships with current community partners. She loves learning from students and is thankful for the insight they offer every day. She aims to never take their stories for granted. Her goal is to offer inclusive, relatable, and relevant support to students. She enjoys offering research opportunities, graduate school support, professional development, and meeting students where they are at.

Testimonial from Dr. Taylor:

The IPA has offered me the opportunity to continue my investment in interdisciplinary work. I am thankful to have been able to meet and co-lead with a wonderful faculty member in CLAS. I have appreciated the vulnerability participants have offered and enjoy supporting faculty from all walks of life (graduate students, part-time instructors, etc.). We are always looking for insight and opportunities to enhance the IPA, so I would say for anyone interested, know the journey is fluid.