East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a dynamic institution rooted in the Appalachian Highlands and home to a wide range of students with diverse goals, interests, and experiences. Faculty play a key role in shaping students’ educational journeys, and understanding who ETSU students are is a vital step in creating meaningful, supportive learning environments. This section explores how students’ backgrounds, aspirations, and prior experiences influence learning—and how faculty can respond effectively through thoughtful course design and engagement strategies.

Getting to Know ETSU Students

ETSU’s student population includes a wide variety of learners: from first-generation college students navigating higher education for the first time, to students with strong ties to the Appalachian region, to those with career-focused goals or unique life experiences. Understanding how a student’s background and goals shape their learning can help faculty create courses that feel more relevant, motivating, and supportive.

How Student Background and Experience Influence Learning

Students come to the classroom with different preparation levels, learning preferences, motivations, and life experiences. These differences affect how they engage with course material, participate in class, and connect with peers and instructors. Faculty who take time to learn about their students—whether through early surveys, reflection prompts, or informal conversations—can design learning experiences that are more flexible, transparent, and welcoming to a wider range of learners. This section offers suggestions for how educators can increase student participation, foster a sense of belonging, and support academic growth.

Reflecting on Your Role as an Educator

Just as students bring their perspectives and experiences into the classroom, so do faculty. Our teaching is shaped by many factors, including our own educational paths, values, expectations, and assumptions. Taking time to reflect on our teaching habits and how they may affect different students can help us respond more effectively to their needs. A reflective and student-focused approach to instruction helps build trust, strengthen communication, and improve outcomes.

This guide offers practical strategies for creating student-centered courses at ETSU. By focusing on who our students are, how their experiences shape learning, and how our own teaching choices influence classroom dynamics, we can foster connection, support achievement, and promote success across a wide range of learners.