Alison Banka is committed to creating unforgettable learning experiences for her students through the power of active learning.
A lecturer in the University of Georgia College of Engineering’s School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, Banka teaches five courses ranging from “Introduction to Biochemical Engineering Design” to “Advanced Biochemical Engineering Laboratory.” In just her second year of teaching, she was awarded the college’s 2024 Excellence in Instruction Award, a testament to her innovative and interactive teaching methods.
Banka’s teaching style is anything but ordinary. Embracing an open-door policy, she makes herself available to students both in and out of class as much as possible.
“I always think about what would benefit me if I were a student. Traditional lecture-style classes never resonated. I aim to make learning enjoyable and interactive. Encouraging students to engage with each other and provide continuous feedback to me is key,” she said.
Though she has an innate knack for instruction, Banka did not always intend to go into academia.
“It wasn’t in my plan originally. I went to grad school to do research in industry,” she said. “It wasn’t until I started as a graduate assistant that I decided I wanted to give the teaching route a try.”
Banka received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in chemical engineering at the University of Michigan, where she did biomedical research focused on blood flow. Upon graduating with her Ph.D. in 2022, she moved to Athens to begin at the College of Engineering.
She was drawn to the college’s youthful energy and the Engineering Education Transformations Institute (EETI).
“It’s super exciting to be part of a young college. There’s a great deal of malleability here that some older institutions lack. Also, EETI was a huge draw, with a significant number of faculty here dedicated to teaching. The positive vibes during my visit sealed the deal,” she said.
Alison Banka, center, assists undergraduate students in a laboratory session during the Engineering Academic Boot Camp, a two-week long immersive experience for incoming, first-generation students. (Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
Banka’s commitment to innovation in her curriculum is evident. Last year, she participated in the Active Learning Summer Institute, which inspired her to revamp her classes.
“The institute gave me the push I needed to completely overhaul one course, and I’m currently working on updating the others,” she said.
Recently, Banka and fellow lecturer Ben Fahrman secured a UGA Active Learning Change Grant, designed to encourage and support the broad-scale adoption of active learning approaches across the college. Together, they plan to create an active learning seminar series, backed by college leadership, the Office of Active Learning and the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).
Outside of the classroom, Banka stays active, enjoying outdoor adventures with her dog and traveling as much as she can.
Banka attributes much of her success to her mentors. “Dr. Susan Montgomery, my undergraduate advisor at the University of Michigan, was a major influence. She supported so many students through their studies. If I can be even a fraction of what she was to her students, I’ll consider myself successful.”
Another mentor, Taryn Bayles from the University of Pittsburgh, continues to guide her. “Dr. Bayles has carved out a unique place in teaching and genuinely cares about her students. She helped me navigate my postgraduation plans and inspired me to join a young and developing program.”
Looking ahead, Banka is excited about her career trajectory.
“I love evolving my classes; they’re always a work in progress. Teaching in a constantly changing field means you must keep adapting. It’s an exciting challenge,” she said.
Reflecting on her time at UGA, she added, “I’ve truly enjoyed my experience here. The students are enthusiastic and eager to learn. It’s been a fantastic journey so far.”
