In this captivating episode of Owl Byte, we sit down with Professor Dominique Kliger, a native of Brazil who has been an integral part of Temple University for over two decades. As the current Director of Online Graduate Programs at the College of Science and Technology, Professor Kliger brings a wealth of experience from her teaching roles across multiple schools, including the College of Education, the Fox School of Business, and the Department of Computer and Information Sciences.
Technology with Purpose
Our conversation begins with a remarkable story from Professor Kliger’s career. In a communication technology course project, she transported security monitors to a hospital to connect teenagers battling cancer who were undergoing treatment thousands of miles apart. This project offered her profound insights into technology’s power to forge meaningful human connections and support those in need.
Community Building Beyond the Classroom
Professor Kliger shares her innovative initiative, where students weave sleeping mats using recycled plastic bags for donations to local homeless centers. This project serves a dual purpose: it fosters a sense of community among participants while providing them with a much-needed break from academic pressures. Through these hands-on experiences, students learn the value of service and collaboration.
Fostering Confidence in STEM
We explore Professor Kliger’s involvement in a classroom activity developed by Professor Singh—a 25-minute exercise in which freshmen answer five reflection questions individually and then as a group. Professor Kliger walks us through the purpose behind each question, explaining how these reflections help students build confidence and resilience as they pursue STEM fields. The initiative focuses on supporting students who might otherwise feel intimidated by technical disciplines.
Embracing Failure as Learning
Finally, Professor Kliger emphasizes a crucial message for aspiring computer scientists: failure is inevitable and vital to highlighting learning. Her perspective encourages students to navigate the challenges of higher education in technical fields.
Join us for this inspiring conversation, highlighting how technology, community engagement, and thoughtful pedagogy can transform the educational experience for computer science students at Temple University.
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