Educators at the Art Museum utilize their collections to amplify their instructional methods.
Syracuse University Art Museum Announces New Faculty Fellows for 2025-26 Academic Year
The Syracuse University Art Museum has named four faculty members as Faculty Fellows for the 2025-26 academic year, marking the fourth year of the Faculty Fellows program. This initiative, hosted by the museum with support from the Office of Strategic Initiatives and the Office of Research in Academic Affairs, is designed to support innovative curriculum development and promote a more robust integration of the Museum's collection into teaching at Syracuse University[1].
The Faculty Fellows program involves selected faculty members collaborating with the museum to incorporate artworks and museum resources directly into their academic instruction[2][4]. This year's fellows include Maria Cudowska from the College of Law, Colleen Cameron from the College of Human Services and Health Professions, Shikha Nangia from the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Kelly Gallagher from the College of Visual and Performing Arts[5].
One of the unique aspects of the program is the interdisciplinary teaching opportunities it creates. For instance, in ECS 326, students will study objects made of metals, ceramics, textiles, and wood while also being introduced to AI tools to analyze artifacts and design a new material inspired by historical examples[6]. This creates an interdisciplinary learning experience by linking core engineering principles to historical, cultural, and artistic contexts.
In FIL 500, students will learn cameraless filmmaking techniques through hands-on teaching and practice, culminating in a short cameraless film inspired by a piece of art from the museum[7]. Kelly Gallagher, associate professor of film and media arts, will use museum materials in this course[8].
Colleen Cameron, professor of practice in human development and family science, plans to integrate museum materials into the course HFS 400 Healthcare Communication: Research, Theory and Practice this fall[9]. Maria Cudowska, visiting teaching professor, will use museum objects in the fall course LAW 882 National Security Research Center/Counterterrorism Center and/or the spring course LAW 897-M601 National Security Negotiations[10]. Shikha Nangia, professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, will integrate museum artifacts into ECS 326 Engineering Materials, Properties and Processing this fall[11].
Kate Holohan, the museum's curator of education and academic outreach, expresses excitement about the interdisciplinary and experiential teaching and learning the fellows are bringing[12]. The museum's fellows program aims to further its mission of being a museum-laboratory for exploration, experimentation, and discussion.
References:
- Syracuse University Art Museum
- Faculty Fellows
- Innovative Curriculum Development
- Interdisciplinary Teaching Opportunities
- Meet the Faculty Fellows
- ECS 326 Course Description
- FIL 500 Course Description
- FIL 500 Course Schedule
- HFS 400 Course Description
- LAW 882 Course Description
- LAW 897-M601 Course Description
- Kate Holohan, Curator of Education and Academic Outreach
The Faculty Fellows program at Syracuse University, designed for innovative curriculum development, fosters interdisciplinary teaching opportunities by incorporating museum resources into various courses such as ECS 326 and FIL 500, promoting lifelong learning and online education. This program, under the guidance of Kate Holohan, the museum's curator of education and academic outreach, aims to make the Syracuse University Art Museum a museum-laboratory for exploration, experimentation, and discussion, supporting education-and-self-development across different academic fields.
