Cynthia Stevens

Cynthia Stevens is an Assistant Professor at National Louis University (NLU), affiliated with the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. She teaches courses like Adult Development & Learning, Critical Thinking & Writing, and Methods of Inquiry in Behavioral Sciences. Her research focuses on adult education, prior learning assessment, and experiential learning, emphasizing social justice and transformative education.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science (NLU, 2002)
• Master of Science in Adult Continuing Education (Northern Illinois University, 2004)
• Ed.D. in Adult and Higher Education (Northern Illinois University, 2013)

Research emphasizes perspectives from Non-Western, Postmodern, Critical Theory, and Feminist frameworks. She designs interactive curricula using active learning, group projects, and reflective journaling to connect theory with practice. Her work bridges education with social transformation, particularly in addressing systemic inequities like those from Apartheid in South Africa.

Teaching philosophy centers on andragogy, fostering critical thinking through open dialogue and student-led discussions. She encourages lifelong learning and equips students with interdisciplinary resources, including curated professional libraries.