The Developing Understanding and Engagement Together (DUET) Fellow Program is an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between teaching and learning. OU students and faculty work together as pedagogical partners, where they share their different perspectives in order to explore, analyze, revise, affirm, or imagine ways of teaching and learning that will benefit the broader OU community and both partners.
Student Fellows benefit from developing relationships with Faculty Fellows, which improves their sense of belonging on campus and confidence interacting with faculty. Faculty Fellows benefit from a better understanding of student experiences and, for new faculty, greater confidence in their teaching (Cook-Sather, et al., 2019).
This program is inspired by the Students as Learners and Teachers (SaLT) Program at Bryn Mawr University. For more information, contact M. Geneva Murray at geneva.murray@ou.edu.
DUET Faculty Fellows will be paired with Student Fellows outside of their disciplinary areas. Each week, Student Fellows will attend a class offered by their Faculty Fellow partner and attend a one-hour weekly meeting with their Faculty Fellow, in addition to weekly one-hour meetings with other Student Fellows. In addition to the weekly meeting with their student partners, Faculty Fellows will attend biweekly small group meetings with other Faculty Fellows to discuss the changes they’d like to make to their teaching or courses and implementation strategies. These small group meetings may also be attended by Student Fellows upon request.
Fellows may discuss classroom observations, syllabi language, diversifying learning activities, clarity of assignment instructions, student and faculty experiences, and more.
Faculty are encouraged to apply to be a fellow in the program! Applications are announced in the Center for Faculty Excellence’s newsletter each semester.
We encourage you to apply with another faculty member within your program or department. We hope that having two faculty participants from the same area will provide participants with greater support as they consider their teaching practices within their specific discipline, while they also build connections across campus with other members of the cohort.
Beginning in Fall 2024, Faculty Fellows will be paid $500 in supplemental pay, not including fringe, for successful completion in this semester-long program.
Students are encouraged to apply to be a fellow in the program! We post openings for student fellows through the University of Oklahoma’s student job site. Currently, student fellows work between four and five hours per week and earn $12/hourly.
Abrar is a student at the University of Oklahoma, where she is majoring in mechanical engineering. She is originally from Egypt and has a strong interest in the intersection between AI and mechanical engineering, namely in the areas of automation, and machine learning. She likes outdoor activities such as biking and mountain climbing. She also spent nine years playing field hockey in Egypt and Italy, where she gained a deep respect for discipline and collaboration.
Because she appreciates the relationships that education creates between students and instructors, Abrar is thrilled to be a DUET Student Fellow. She values interactive teaching strategies, particularly project-based learning, and thinks that practical experiences help students grasp difficult ideas more deeply. She aspires to learn fresh viewpoints on successful teaching techniques and add to conversations about enhancing college education through DUET.
Ahmed Al-Nusairi is majoring in Electrical Engineering and minoring in Mathematics at the University of Oklahoma, with an expected graduation in 2027. Originally from Yemen, Prior to coming to OU, he graduated from the United World College (UWC) in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This transformative high school experience shaped his global outlook, made him an international citizen, and exposed him to innovative, student-driven approaches to teaching and learning. Outside of academics, he enjoys reading, playing chess, watching movies, spending time with friends, and going on walks to reflect and reset.
Ahmed joined the DUET Student Fellows program to help reimagine the relationship between students and educators through dialogue, empathy, and experimentation. He believes education should be collaborative and deeply human. He believes that Education should be grounded in respect for cultural nuance and personal transformation. He is interested in project-based and experiential learning that empowers students to become creators rather than passive recipients of knowledge. Through DUET, Ahmed hopes to contribute to a campus culture rooted in mentorship, reflection, and inclusive innovation.
Amer Ahalouch is an international student from Brussels, Belgium. He is pursuing a bachelor of science in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Oklahoma and graduating in 2027. He is a United World College Alumni and a UWC Davis Scholar. He just returned from a semester abroad in Arezzo, Italy. He is a laureate of Boost for Talent and the King Baudoin Foundation of Belgium. He has been a SEED (Sooner Engineering Education) Ambassador for K-12 outreach. He was also an intramural student official for the Athletic Department and is currently a student-athlete tutor. He is honored to become a DUET Student Fellow and to join the fantastic team.
Amer was looking forward to contributing positively to the education of his peers. As a DUET Student Fellow, he found the opportunity to reduce the gap between facts and students. He was raised in a multicultural neighborhood where people came from around the world. Moreover, he moved alone at sixteen to study in an international school in New Mexico. He has gained different cultural insights and a diverse vision of education. He plans to use his experience to share it with his peers and the faculty so that they can also use it as an example to improve the relationships between faculty and students.
Anayat Yousuf, from the picturesque region of Kashmir in the Himalayas, is currently a student at the University of Oklahoma. He is a member of class of 2027 and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology on a Pre-medicine track. Anayat is a Davis UWC Scholar and a proud alumnus of UWC Robert Bosch College Germany. Beyond his academic endeavors, he holds the position of President at M.Y. Educational Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Kashmir. This organization, inspired by his parents, aims to assist educationally disadvantaged students. In addition, Anayat serves as the General Secretary of “The United World” organization at OU, an initiative grounded in UWC values and mission. He is also an avid cricket player, a seasoned traveler having visited 11 different countries, and a lover of cooking, with a particular fondness for spicy recipes such as Biryani and kashmiri Wazwan.
As a Spring 2024 DUET Student Fellow, Anayat is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the educational community. He believes in the importance of building relationships between students and faculty. Anayat sees the DUET program as a platform to bring about change and innovation in education.
Besma Sidi is studying Management Information Systems and Accounting, with an expected graduation in May 2027. She is originally from Western Sahara and is exploring her interests in business technology and related areas. Beyond her studies, she enjoys being outdoors, especially hiking, walking, and playing volleyball.
As a DUET Student Fellow, Besma looks forward to growing through new learning experiences and contributing to the academic community. She believes education is a powerful and diverse journey, and she is passionate about being part of that process. Her aim is to help create opportunities that inspire curiosity and support lifelong learning.
Catalina Smith is pursuing a degree in Health and Exercise Science at the University of Oklahoma, where she plans to graduate in 2028 before continuing on to Physician Assistant school. As an active member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, she enjoys contributing to both her chapter and her campus community. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Catalina values opportunities that foster connection and personal growth.
Catalina joined the DUET Fellow Program to strengthen the way students and educators connect and communicate. She believes that mutual support and open dialogue between both groups are essential to creating a positive academic environment. Having worked with a variety of professors and peers, she has seen firsthand how a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere can empower both students and faculty to succeed. Through this program, Catalina hopes to advance teaching and learning approaches that cultivate an environment where all students feel supported and inspired to excel in their studies and personal growth.
Colbey is a Public and Nonprofit Administration major at the University of Oklahoma with plans to graduate in 2027. A transfer student from a Texas community college, he is a Prior Texas Regional Officer, Former Chapter President, and Texas Region Alumni Association District Representative of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. He is active within numerous organizations on campus, including Academic Integrity Council and the Transfer Leadership Class. Outside of the DUET program, Colbey enjoys reading, cleaning, organizing, and going on adventures to try out new things and interests. Passionate about growing and advocating, he keeps an open mind when it comes to experiences and opportunities, both personally and professionally.
Colbey is thrilled to join the DUET Fellows Program as a Student Fellow, driven by a passion for fostering deeper connections and promoting inclusive, equitable environments. He believes that student success – both academic and personal – thrives in spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and seen. Recognizing that education extends beyond the classroom and that students lived experiences shape how they learn, Colbey is committed to bridging the gap between students and faculty, helping to create a sense of belonging that enhances how students learn and engage.
Tsewang is an accelerated Management Information Systems/Information Technology student at the University of Oklahoma with plans to graduate in December 2025. Originally from Nepal, a South Asian country, she has been deeply engaged in campus life. She previously served as a leader for the United World student organization, where she helped foster cultural understanding across diverse communities. Passionate about the arts, Tsewang enjoys learning cultural dances and continues to perform at international events hosted at OU. She also serves as a Learning Assistant and Math Tutor for the Transformative Tutoring Initiative, where she supports students in achieving academic success.
Tsewang is thrilled to join the DUET Fellows Program as a Student Fellow, inspired by her own journey as a student who once struggled but was supported by professors who believed in her. That experience showed her the profound difference it makes when someone takes the time to reach out and help. As one of the first in her family to pursue a college degree, she understands the value of education and is passionate about paying it forward by empowering and uplifting other students.
Helan Ibrahim Karim is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Oklahoma, where she is double-majoring in Management Information Systems and Economics, with plans to graduate in December 2028. Originally from Kurdistan, she is an alumna of the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP), where she developed a strong interest in community engagement and volunteer work. She later attended UWC Mahindra College in India and is currently a UWC Scholar at OU. Helan enjoys watching movies and shows, exploring new cultures, and discovering new types of herbal teas - she’s a devoted tea lover.
As a DUET Student Fellow, Helan is passionate about building bridges between students and faculty to create a more inclusive and supportive academic environment. She values the role of collaboration in enhancing student learning experiences, particularly for those from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through DUET, Helan hopes to contribute to strengthening faculty-student relationships and to gain deeper insight into teaching practices that promote engagement, understanding, and an overall inclusive community.
JaneMarie is studying at OU to earn a master's degree in Sociology with a graduate certificate in Applied Research and Program Evaluation. She plans to graduate in December 2026. She previously earned her bachelor's degree from OU in Sociology with a minor in Nonprofit Organizational Studies in May 2024. JaneMarie is from Moore, Oklahoma. She is a member of the Dialogues of Contemporary Sociology (DOCS) club, in which she reads and discusses the merits and methods of current sociological research with other students and professors in her department. She was inducted as a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, an international sociology honor society. When she is not working, she can be found reading fantasy and nonfiction books, sketching in her notebooks, playing her guitar, or cross-stitching.
JaneMarie applied for the DUET fellowship because of her passion for the educational field. With avid interests in youth wellness, family support, and educational achievement, she values the potential for students and teachers to learn from each other and collaborate to find ways to have positive experiences in the classroom. As someone in a family full of teachers, she knows that education can help improve life outcomes, and one's experience in school may spark their motivation to participate and thrive. The program reminded her of the discussions that she and her DOCS peers would have when discussing research articles to determine what succeeded in a study and where it can be improved. When each party adds something new to the other's perspective, they can work together to find a solution that addresses their concerns. She hopes to take what she learns from the program into her prospective career working with an educational nonprofit as a program evaluator or in another role where her knowledge of social issues and research can be put to use to empower her community.
Layla Williams hails from the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. She received her B.A. from East Tennessee State University and her M.A. from OU. She is currently a PhD student and teaching assistant in the Philosophy Department, with a primary research interest in social epistemology. Layla is also an Alumni Fellow. In addition to academic pursuits, she is the VCPRO of the OU Integrity Council and coaches the OU Ethics Bowl team. The Integrity Council endeavors to protect the integrity and value of the OU degree. Ethics Bowl is a competitive speech event which centers philosophical analysis and ethical reasoning. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate, she advocates for children who are in state care. Layla loves sports and is a passionate Newcastle United supporter.
Layla is exited to participate in the DUET Fellows program. As a TA, she actively seeks out opportunities to improve as an instructor and engage meaningfully with students. As a student, she’s experienced different environments in the classroom and wants to support all faculty in developing an inclusive, supportive environment for their students. She recognizes the importance of collaboration between students and faculty for creating healthy and rigorous academic communities. She firmly believes that a supportive, welcoming academic environment goes a long way toward fostering success in students and faculty. She is looking forward to learning from her DUET Student Fellow peers and Faculty Fellows. She hopes her experiences and background can help bridge the gap between students and faculty (graduate TAs often get stranded in that gap!)
Motaz Nabil Elkhbuli is a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Oklahoma, expected to graduate in May 2027, and is also pursuing a certificate in Sustainable Energy Systems. Passionate about renewable energy, research, and real-world problem solving, he enjoys applying his technical skills to projects that create positive environmental and social impact.
As a DUET Student Fellow, Motaz brings experience in peer education from his role as a Student Peer Learning Assistant and Supervisor, where he provided academic support in mathematics and Arabic, trained peer tutors, and ensured smooth tutoring operations. He values inclusive learning environments and aims to use project-based and hands-on approaches to inspire students and connect engineering concepts to real-world challenges.
Nadia Segunda, from Angola and a member of the class of 2026 at the University of Oklahoma, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Enterprise Studies. Her academic journey is enriched by her global perspective, shaped by her experience at the United World College of Southern Africa. Nadia actively participates in student organizations on campus, demonstrating her commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
As a DUET Student Fellow, Nadia is driven by her passion for enhancing teaching and learning practices at the University of Oklahoma. She aims to help bridge the gap between students and faculty by promoting a sense of belonging within the university community. Through this role, Nadia hopes to contribute to creating a more inclusive and effective learning environment, where all students can thrive academically and personally.
Oumarou Gouba is from Burkina Faso, and has a unique educational journey. Having spent two transformative years at a boarding school in Burkina Faso for high school, Oumarou moved to Canada to attend the United World Colleges at Pearson College in Victoria, BC. There, he successfully graduated with a Bilingual International Baccalaureate Diploma. Continuing his pursuit of knowledge, Oumarou crossed borders again, this time to the United States, where he is currently a part of the University of Oklahoma's class of 2026 where he is majoring in Information Science and Technology. Oumarou likes to cook and has a passion for entrepreneurship.
Oumarou feels privileged to be part of the DUET Students fellowship. Through this opportunity, Oumarou is committed to helping his fellow professor create the safest possible learning environment for students while ensuring their academic success.
