USM Team Brings Student-Centered Lessons Home from LU Summit
November 12, 2026
USM representatives attended the Learning Unlimited Summit and returned with practical strategies for student engagement, responsible AI use and academic support, including plans for Math and Writing Labs.
A team representing the University of St. Martin (USM) recently participated in the Learning Unlimited Summit, returning with practical strategies and renewed inspiration to strengthen student engagement, teaching and academic support at the university.
USM was represented by Board President Valerie Giterson-Pantophlet, Manager of Finance and Operations Robert Judd, Dean Juliana Shipley-Hodge, and Assistant Dean and faculty member Raeann Ford.
The summit explored artificial intelligence in education, student engagement and the broader purpose of education. Although the presentations approached education from different perspectives, one consistent message stood out: students must remain the priority, and every member of an educational institution must work toward the shared goal of student success.
Using Artificial Intelligence with Purpose
During his presentation on artificial intelligence in education, Erik Jan Koedijk encouraged educators to approach AI realistically, responsibly and with a clear purpose.
He emphasized that the technology itself should never become the goal. Instead, educators should first identify what they want students to learn, use the appropriate tool and then reflect on whether the outcome supports that objective.
Koedijk introduced a “think-do-think” approach: plan before using AI, use the tool intentionally and critically evaluate what it produces. He also recommended applying a PSEP check by considering privacy, security, ethics and people before adopting an AI tool.
For USM, the session provided useful guidance for future staff development and discussions surrounding responsible AI use. Structured prompting, ethical considerations and purposeful applications of AI could help lecturers make course content more engaging without replacing the critical thinking students must develop.
The presentation also reinforced the importance of establishing clear institutional guidance as AI becomes increasingly present in students’ academic lives.
Reimagining Student Engagement
Elizabeth Maglio’s presentation challenged educators to reconsider who is doing most of the work in the classroom.
Her central message was that “the person doing the work is the one doing the learning.” Rather than relying primarily on lectures, educators were encouraged to give students opportunities to make choices, explore ideas, solve problems and take greater ownership of their education.
Maglio shared strategies including project-based learning, student autonomy and the WIN—or “What I Need”—approach, which encourages educators to respond to the individual learning needs of students.
She also recommended simple reflection activities that can be introduced immediately, including prompts such as “Something I discovered today was…” and 3-2-1 exit tickets through which students identify three goals, two high-impact strategies and one remaining question.
These approaches align with USM’s continued efforts to create more active and student-centered learning environments. They can help students move beyond receiving information to applying, questioning and reflecting on what they learn.
Creating Thinkers, Dreamers and Builders
The summit concluded with a keynote presentation by Principal Baruti Kafele, who challenged every educator to ask: “Am I creating thinkers?”
Drawing on Carter G. Woodson’s The Mis-Education of the Negro, Kafele argued that education should free students to think independently rather than condition them to accept a predetermined place within society.
He encouraged educational institutions to develop thinkers, dreamers, visionaries, builders, doers and individuals who are prepared to challenge the status quo with purpose.
For USM, this message reinforced the university’s responsibility to prepare graduates who can think critically, solve problems, demonstrate initiative and contribute meaningfully to St. Maarten and the wider region.
The question “Am I creating thinkers?” can guide how courses are designed, how faculty members engage students and how administrative and support staff contribute to the overall student experience.
Turning Lessons into Student Support
One of the practical areas receiving attention at USM is the need for additional support in mathematics and writing. These foundational skills affect students’ performance across several areas of study and can influence their academic confidence.
USM is therefore working toward the establishment of a Math Lab and a Writing Lab, supported by dedicated tutors who can assist students at different times throughout the week.
The proposed labs will offer students a welcoming space to receive help with coursework, assignments and challenging concepts before small learning gaps become larger barriers to their success.
This initiative directly reflects the summit’s student-centered message. Like the WIN approach, the labs are intended to respond to what individual students need. Tutors will guide students through the learning process while ensuring that students remain actively involved in doing the work and developing their own skills.
The USM team also identified additional areas for follow-up, including responsible AI guidelines, staff training, project-based learning and the greater use of reflection activities across courses.
A Shared Responsibility for Student Success
The summit reinforced that student success is not the responsibility of faculty members alone. Every member of an institution—from management and administration to faculty and support staff—contributes to the environment in which students learn and develop.
USM’s participation provided an opportunity for representatives from different areas of the university to reflect on how the institution can continue placing students at the center of its decisions.
By combining responsible technology use, active learning, targeted academic support and a shared commitment to developing independent thinkers, USM continues working toward an educational experience that prepares students not only to complete their studies, but also to enter the workforce and community with confidence and purpose.
USM thanks Learning Unlimited and the summit presenters for creating a valuable space for educators and institutional leaders to exchange ideas, examine current challenges and consider practical ways to improve education throughout St. Maarten.
The university looks forward to applying the summit’s lessons as it continues strengthening the support, opportunities and learning experiences available to its students.
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USM was represented by Board President Valerie Giterson-Pantophlet, Manager of Finance and Operations Robert Judd, Dean Juliana Shipley-Hodge, and Assistant Dean and faculty member Raeann Ford.
The summit explored artificial intelligence in education, student engagement and the broader purpose of education. Although the presentations approached education from different perspectives, one consistent message stood out: students must remain the priority, and every member of an educational institution must work toward the shared goal of student success.
Using Artificial Intelligence with Purpose
During his presentation on artificial intelligence in education, Erik Jan Koedijk encouraged educators to approach AI realistically, responsibly and with a clear purpose.
He emphasized that the technology itself should never become the goal. Instead, educators should first identify what they want students to learn, use the appropriate tool and then reflect on whether the outcome supports that objective.
Koedijk introduced a “think-do-think” approach: plan before using AI, use the tool intentionally and critically evaluate what it produces. He also recommended applying a PSEP check by considering privacy, security, ethics and people before adopting an AI tool.
For USM, the session provided useful guidance for future staff development and discussions surrounding responsible AI use. Structured prompting, ethical considerations and purposeful applications of AI could help lecturers make course content more engaging without replacing the critical thinking students must develop.
The presentation also reinforced the importance of establishing clear institutional guidance as AI becomes increasingly present in students’ academic lives.
Reimagining Student Engagement
Elizabeth Maglio’s presentation challenged educators to reconsider who is doing most of the work in the classroom.
Her central message was that “the person doing the work is the one doing the learning.” Rather than relying primarily on lectures, educators were encouraged to give students opportunities to make choices, explore ideas, solve problems and take greater ownership of their education.
Maglio shared strategies including project-based learning, student autonomy and the WIN—or “What I Need”—approach, which encourages educators to respond to the individual learning needs of students.
She also recommended simple reflection activities that can be introduced immediately, including prompts such as “Something I discovered today was…” and 3-2-1 exit tickets through which students identify three goals, two high-impact strategies and one remaining question.
These approaches align with USM’s continued efforts to create more active and student-centered learning environments. They can help students move beyond receiving information to applying, questioning and reflecting on what they learn.
Creating Thinkers, Dreamers and Builders
The summit concluded with a keynote presentation by Principal Baruti Kafele, who challenged every educator to ask: “Am I creating thinkers?”
Drawing on Carter G. Woodson’s The Mis-Education of the Negro, Kafele argued that education should free students to think independently rather than condition them to accept a predetermined place within society.
He encouraged educational institutions to develop thinkers, dreamers, visionaries, builders, doers and individuals who are prepared to challenge the status quo with purpose.
For USM, this message reinforced the university’s responsibility to prepare graduates who can think critically, solve problems, demonstrate initiative and contribute meaningfully to St. Maarten and the wider region.
The question “Am I creating thinkers?” can guide how courses are designed, how faculty members engage students and how administrative and support staff contribute to the overall student experience.
Turning Lessons into Student Support
One of the practical areas receiving attention at USM is the need for additional support in mathematics and writing. These foundational skills affect students’ performance across several areas of study and can influence their academic confidence.
USM is therefore working toward the establishment of a Math Lab and a Writing Lab, supported by dedicated tutors who can assist students at different times throughout the week.
The proposed labs will offer students a welcoming space to receive help with coursework, assignments and challenging concepts before small learning gaps become larger barriers to their success.
This initiative directly reflects the summit’s student-centered message. Like the WIN approach, the labs are intended to respond to what individual students need. Tutors will guide students through the learning process while ensuring that students remain actively involved in doing the work and developing their own skills.
The USM team also identified additional areas for follow-up, including responsible AI guidelines, staff training, project-based learning and the greater use of reflection activities across courses.
A Shared Responsibility for Student Success
The summit reinforced that student success is not the responsibility of faculty members alone. Every member of an institution—from management and administration to faculty and support staff—contributes to the environment in which students learn and develop.
USM’s participation provided an opportunity for representatives from different areas of the university to reflect on how the institution can continue placing students at the center of its decisions.
By combining responsible technology use, active learning, targeted academic support and a shared commitment to developing independent thinkers, USM continues working toward an educational experience that prepares students not only to complete their studies, but also to enter the workforce and community with confidence and purpose.
USM thanks Learning Unlimited and the summit presenters for creating a valuable space for educators and institutional leaders to exchange ideas, examine current challenges and consider practical ways to improve education throughout St. Maarten.
The university looks forward to applying the summit’s lessons as it continues strengthening the support, opportunities and learning experiences available to its students.
Latest News →
