Eleanor Fapohunda Colloquium Series

Dr. Michael Sakuma, "Rethinking Student Struggle: An Adlerian Lens on Discouragement, Belonging, and Learning".

This talk invites faculty to reconsider what we mean when we describe students as “unmotivated,” “perfectionistic,” or “not ready.” Drawing on Psychologist Alfred Adler’s insight that inferiority feelings are universal—not deficits—we explore how much academic struggle reflects discouragement rather than inability. Moving from individual dynamics to institutional patterns, we examine how comparison culture and competitive structures amplify discouragement  We conclude with practical, evidence-aligned strategies for cultivating encouragement as a pedagogical stance.