Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Publication Title

Journal of Political Science Education

Keywords

community development, civic engagement, guest speakers, graduate education

Abstract

This article examines the pedagogical impact of a strategically structured guest speaker series in a graduate-level community development seminar. Drawing on four cohorts of qualitative student feedback and utilizing an inductive thematic analysis, the study explores how guest speakers influence student learning, professional development, and civic engagement. Findings reveal that guest speakers effectively bridge theory and practice, enhance classroom engagement, and foster critical thinking, career exploration, and long-term civic involvement. Students reported that interacting with diverse professionals helped clarify real-world applications of course content and inspired volunteerism, internships, and employment opportunities. The paper also identifies conditions that enhance the effectiveness of guest speaker sessions, including alignment with course themes, diversity of speaker backgrounds, and structured student preparation. The study concludes by offering guidance on adapting this model to online, hybrid, and large-enrollment courses. Recommendations include virtual guest integration, group-based assignments, and student-led facilitation techniques to maintain engagement across varied learning environments. This research contributes to scholarship on political science and community development pedagogy by demonstrating how guest speakers, when thoughtfully implemented, can serve as transformative tools for experiential learning and civic education.

Funding Source

This work was supported by Center for Civic Engagement (Faculty Community Engagement Learning Grant Program, 2021-2024. This article was published Open Access thanks to a transformative agreement between Milner Library and Taylor & Francis.

DOI

10.1080/15512169.2025.2536860

Comments

First published in Journal of Political Science Education: https://doi.org/10.1080/15512169.2025.2536860

Download

Share

COinS