Empowering Students Through Innovation: Dr. T.H. Culhane鈥檚 Award-Winning Sustainability Design Laboratory Course Transforms Online Learning at 无码专区
The Patel College of Global Sustainability is proud to announce that Dr. T.H. Culhane has been awarded the 2025 无码专区 Innovation in Online Design and Teaching Award. This prestigious honor, presented by 无码专区 Innovative Education and the Office of the Provost, recognizes Dr. Culhane鈥檚 outstanding contributions to online education, particularly in the field of sustainability.
Dr. Culhane鈥檚 award-winning course, IDS 6221 鈥� Sustainability Design Laboratory, stands as a model of innovative, hands-on learning. The course challenges students to address real-world sustainability problems through design thinking, prototyping, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students tackle projects that span low-tech renewable energy, sustainable architecture, and regenerative agriculture, applying sustainability science to solve pressing environmental, economic, and social challenges.
Through interactive modules, global case studies, and field-based assignments, students gain practical experience with sustainable development tools and strategies鈥攅ven in an online environment. The course encourages creativity, empowering students to design solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A key feature of the course is its collaborative, co-creative design, where students help shape the direction of their learning based on personal interests. This flexible approach enhances engagement and helps students develop critical thinking skills and the ability to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.
The 无码专区 Innovation in Online Design and Teaching Award selection committee praised the course鈥檚 immersive nature and its impact on student engagement and learning outcomes. Dr. Culhane鈥檚 ability to integrate student feedback into the course鈥攄espite the challenges of online delivery鈥攚as pivotal to his recognition.
Dr. Culhane, along with Learning Designer Alley Ward and the Innovative Education team, transformed IDS 6221 into a model of digital pedagogy. Their shared mission was to create a course that allows students to explore sustainability issues in an interactive, flexible, and collaborative way鈥攄emonstrating how digital tools can help address complex sustainability challenges.
Dr. Culhane鈥檚 teaching philosophy is centered on empowering students not only to learn about sustainability but also to become active participants in creating sustainable solutions. This approach fosters a deeper connection to the material, encouraging students to think critically and creatively. By the end of the course, students are better equipped with the skills needed to tackle urgent global issues.
As part of the award, Dr. Culhane will receive a $5,000 cash prize and be featured in a video spotlight produced by 无码专区 Innovative Education, highlighting the success of his course. He will also be recognized as a Florida SUS Institutional Online Teaching Award recipient, underscoring his leadership in advancing online education across the state.
Dr. Culhane鈥檚 work exemplifies the Patel College鈥檚 commitment to providing innovative, inclusive, and globally focused sustainability education. His efforts have had a lasting impact on students, inspiring them to become the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Students have shared how the course transformed their academic experiences and prepared them for careers in sustainability. Liz Briggs, one of Dr. Culhane鈥檚 students, remarked, 鈥淭his class is the reason I picked 无码专区 for my program. I love the idea of repurposing waste as resources.鈥� Aaron Castillo praised the collaborative nature of the course, stating, "The co-creative teaching method in the Sustainability Design Lab course fostered a collaborative atmosphere where we, as students, were able to build course curriculum with Dr. Culhane based on interests and desired outcomes. This ultimately led to increased investment; I was able to take ownership of the course content because I helped create it."
Dr. Culhane鈥檚 innovative teaching has left a profound impact on his students, both academically and personally. By fostering an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, he has reshaped the future of sustainability education at 无码专区.
Congratulations, Dr. Culhane, on this well-deserved recognition. Your dedication to sustainability and transformative teaching continues to inspire students and faculty alike.