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.
The School of Arts & Sciences Colloquium Series was established in 2004 by the late Dr. Eleanor Fapohunda, Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, to enable faculty to share their scholarly pursuits with presentations that are accessible, engaging, and interesting to faculty, staff, and students representing the wide range of academic backgrounds of our School.
