Dr. Kruti Surti treats her job at Columbia College as an opportunity to talk with students about her favorite topic.
Surti teaches psychology online as a faculty member in the School of Arts & Sciences.
“I have always loved teaching, so since grad school, I knew I wanted to go into teaching psychology and shaping young minds,” says Surti, who earned her Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “That’s why I’m here.”
A professor at CC since 2024, Surti is active in organizations such as Graduate Women in Science and the Society for the Teaching of Psychology.
“I especially love talking with students from all different backgrounds,” Surti says. “I’ve really enjoyed seeing students from different parts of the world, different parts of the United States, and learning about their background and how they have come to join Columbia College and their journey in the Psychology Program.”
In Surti’s classes, students have the flexibility to complete work at their own pace within a given time frame. She posts videos that share what to expect each week.
“I use discussions to update students and engage with them about their perspective on that week’s topic,” Surti says. “I try to keep track of each student’s background and how to implement examples that relate to them.”
Columbia College is a great fit for adult learners and people who have a lot of responsibilities, Surti says. The flexible course offerings allow students to balance and manage whichever format they prefer based on their life situation.
“What I love about CC is we are not afraid of changing and we are not afraid to adapt to the changing landscape in higher education,” Surti says. “We put the students first.”
