Aruna Ullal, OCT, MA, MEd
Aruna Ullal is the Manager of Academic Support at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) at Sint Maarten. She joined AUC in February 2019. She earned her master’s in education (M.Ed.), specializing in educational psychology, leadership, and management, and a master’s in English (MA) from Bangalore University, India. She is licensed with the Ontario College of Teachers in Canada. Aruna has a doctoral (Ed.D) in higher education specializing in medical education from Walden University.
At AUC, Aruna is the Manager for Academic Support and Course Director for the Learning Enhancement Course (LEC). She has extensively taught medical students in the LEC program, providing additional support to advance their academic performance and study skills. She teaches non-cognitive modules that help students strengthen their study strategies and critical thinking and enhance their scholastic performance.
Additionally, Aruna leads the AUC tutoring program, which is a big part of the AUC culture. Many students benefit from these student-mediated teaching sessions that help their peers review, practice, and enhance their course competency and achieve academic progress. At the Academic Support Department, she meets with students one-on-one who seek help to improve their study skills, time management strategies, goal setting, and examination preparations.
She has over 15 years of teaching experience ranging from the higher secondary to medical students. Previously, she worked as a medical board review coordinator at the Medical University of the Americas, St. Kitts & Nevis, from November 2015 to October 2016.
Before that, she was a case manager at the Salvation Army Lawson Ministries Autism Centre, Hamilton, Canada, from November 2010 to August 2013. She designed, implemented, taught, and evaluated individualized life skills and literacy curricula for adults with developmental disability.
Further, her passion for serving is reflected in her contributions to many other organizations where she has volunteered, including Women without Borders and St. Martin’s Manor in Hamilton, Canada, where she helped new immigrant women with career advice and settling down in a new country.
Aruna has been an active member of the Global Initiative Committee of NACADA-The Global Community for Academic Advising since 2019. She has contributed her pedagogy and academic advising expertise at international and national conferences, panel discussions, and global lounge presentations.
Accomplished professional with diverse experience and qualifications in Medical Education, Higher education, Educational Psychology, Educational Management, and Leadership. Proficient in planning, implementing, and evaluating educational goals in individuals and groups of students at medical education levels. Proven record of success in enriching positive learning experiences in students and enhancing their academic goals and learning outcomes.
- Medical Education and Higher Education proficiency.
- Experienced in Course development, implementation, and assessments.
- Expertise in student academic advising and engagement.
- Positive psychology and Strength-based methods.
- Commitment to student success and well-being.
- Strong communication and technology skills.
| Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) Specialized in Higher Education & Medical Education | March 2025 | Walden University, Minneapolis, USA |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) Specialization: Educational Psychology, management and Leadership | April 1998 | Bangalore University, India |
| Master of Arts (MA) English | April 1996 | Bangalore University, India |
| Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) | April 1994 | Bangalore University, India |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | May 1981 | Karnataka University, India |
Positive Psychology: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA, Certificate Course: Coursera April 2015
American University School of Medicine, Sint Maarten
February – 2024 September – Present
Manager, Academic Support
Senior Lecturer, Co -Course Director – Learning Enhancement Course (LEC)
August 2023 – Present
- Oversee and co-direct LEC for A and B modules in all the semesters.
- Develop course materials and resources.
- Monitor student progress and provide feedback.
- Manage and supervise the Academic Affairs fellows and team.
- Coach and train the Medical Education fellows on the Academic Support /ATL departmental duties and responsibilities.
- Conduct regular team meetings and performance reviews.
- Facilitate interdisciplinary projects and initiatives.
- Address team concerns and foster a collaborative environment.
- Collaborate with AUC and ROSS Med faculty and ATL to develop and enhance departmental programs.
- Ensure alignment with institutional goals and standards.
Lecturer and Course Director, Learning Enhancement Course
June 2021 – Present
- Design and develop the LEC curriculum for every module for the Basic Medical Science students who require additional support in developing competency in mastering course materials and strengthening their cognitive and non-cognitive skills.
- Facilitate classes on smart study strategies, time management, goal setting, test preparations, test-taking skills, motivation, procrastination, and reflections.
- Involve in the assessments and grading each semester for all the LEC modules.
- Develop medical education research projects to assess, evaluate, and develop academic enhancement programs for students’ success.
- Collaborate with faculty and organized review sessions for every LEC module to enhance students’ academic preparations and outcomes.
Academic Counselor
February 2019 – August 2023
- Academic advisement: Conduct individual student consultations/One-on-one student assistance
- Coach and guide students on smart studying habits, goal setting, action plans, time management, test-taking skills, and reflections based on their strengths and potential.
- Plan, organize, and conduct academic success workshops for the new first-semester students every term.
AUC Tutoring Program Lead
Course Tutoring and Peer Tutoring Program
February 2019 – Present
- Collaborate with Course Directors and faculty members from each module to enroll tutors every semester.
- Recruit, train, and evaluate tutors.
- Plan and organize mid-semester tutor meetings to collect and discuss updates and feedback on the tutoring sessions.
- Conducting year-end surveys from the tutees to further evaluate and improve the program.
- Coordinating with 5th-semester SGAs to select the tutor awardee every semester.
- Assisting in planning the supplemental instruction program for the first-semester incoming students.
- Schedule tutoring sessions and ensure adequate coverage.
- Implement and assess the effectiveness of tutoring strategies.
Medical University of the Americas, St. Kitts & Nevis
Medical Board Review Coordinator / Adjunct Professor
August 2015 – October 2016
- Organized the Comprehensive Study of Basic Sciences Course (CSBS) for the 5th-semester medical students.
- Developed CSBS schedules and course syllabi for each year's Spring, Summer, and Fall courses.
- Managed diagnostic pre-tests, post-tests, and the 8-hour full-length simulated comprehensive examinations.
- Collaborated with the basic science and clinical faculty to conduct course-wise practice sessions, discussions, evaluations, and feedback.
- Identified strengths and potentials in students and guided them toward achieving their academic goals.
- Assisted students with one-on-one and small group consultations with study skills, goal setting, time management, test preparations, and test-taking strategies to enhance their NBME scores.
The Salvation Army Lawson Ministries, Hamilton, Canada
Case Manager and Educational Facilitator – The Autism Centre
December 2010 – August 2013
- Facilitated the DARE (Determined Adults Reading and Education) program
- Designed, implemented, taught, and evaluated individualized life skills and literacy curriculum for adults with a developmental disability.
- Developed an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and case-by-case syllabus for students with learning difficulties.
- Involved in planning extracurricular activities based on their interest, aptitude, and assessment.
- Led staff and faculty wellness and recreation clubs.
- Organized workshops on healthy eating, yoga, and other exercise classes and competitions for employees in the organization
- Assisted the organization with interviewing and recruiting faculty and volunteers for the newly developed programs.
Residential Educational Counselor and Facilitator
December 2007 – December 2010
- Assisted in counseling young adults with disabilities to meet their psychological and educational needs.
- Coordinated with communities and other local agencies to organize the participants' educational and recreational activities.
- Facilitated tailored programs to enhance their academic skills
M.E.S. Kishore Kendra Pre-University and Higher Secondary School, India
Higher Secondary Geography and English Instructor
April 1994 – August 2000
- Utilized inquiry and strength-based approach in teaching English and Geography to Higher Secondary students.
- Planned and created learning objectives and lesson plans that promoted a positive learning experience.
- Planned small-group team-based discussions and hands-on projects to optimize their learning experiences.
- Led workshops on study strategies and examination preparations to strengthen their study habits.
- Editor for the School’s monthly and annual magazine - Published the school’s quarterly magazine and a question bank for several core subjects.
- Ed.D Dissertation topic: Influence of a remedial course on first-year medical students’ learning and study strategies at a medical school in the Caribbean. Walden University, Minneapolis, USA. - March 2025
- Transforming Study Habits: Developing Metacognitive Strategies Through LASSI in Medical Students. Presented at the Science Leagues – International Conference on Higher Education, Teaching and Learning (ICTEL - 25), Copenhagen, Denmark – March 2025
- NACADA: Global Community for Academic Advising: Annual Conference Proposal Reviewer: January 2022 - Present.
- Consortium for Health Innovation Partnerships (CHIPS) Hackathon- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School- Boston June 8, 2024:
Our team won the first prize in the Hackathon. - The Learning and Study Strategy Inventory (LASSI) tool to develop students’ metacognition skills and strategic steering in medical school. Eurasia Research TERA; Teaching and Education Research Association. The National University of Singapore Society (NUSS). March 2024.
- Bridging the gap between Deans’ list students and remedial students: Presented at 6th Annual Academic Conference on Education Conference, Oxford University, UK, March. 2023
- The Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and Networking: Panel Discussion. Philosophy and Theory of Higher Education (PHEC): Upsala University, Sweden. June 2022.
- Issues in Academic Advising: ‘Together All Things Are Possible’: Panel presentation, NACADA Annual Virtual Conference, October 2021
- Global Perspectives of the Many Hats Advisors Wear. NACADA International Conference: Global Lounge Presentation on Academic Advising, Athens, Greece. June 2021
- Editorial member: NACADA - Global Community for Academic Advising National Conference Editorial Board
- Book Chapter, Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Preparation Course, Question bank: Geography content. MES publications, July 1997.
- Secretary – AUC Faculty Senate
- EDGE Champion – AUC EDGE Chapter
- Member- AUC THRIVE Wellness Committee
- Member – AUC Learning Community
- Faculty advisor- Canadian Medical Student Association (CMSA)
- Faculty Advisor – South Asian Medical Students Association (SAMSA)
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, St. Maarten
2019 – Present
- AUC THRIVE Wellness week planning: March 2019 – Present
- Community Action Day: Every semester from February 2019 – May 2023
- NACADA: Annual Conference proposal reviewer- 2021 – present
- Empower Scholarship Reviewer – Adtalem Empower Scholarship, November 2022
Women Without Borders: Hamilton, Canada.
Catholic Family Services, Canada
January 2001 – March 2003
- Facilitated group sessions for new immigrant women from different cultural backgrounds to settle in Canada.
- Assisted new immigrant women in their job search and connected them to several resources in the community.
St. Martin Manor, Hamilton, Canada
Catholic Family Services
January 2003 – March 2005
- Facilitated programs for teenage mothers on self–esteem, time management, stress relief, and goal setting.
- Adtalem Excellence Award – for the contributions to the Learning Enhancement program – April 2024
- Change-Maker Award, Adtalem Growth with Purpose - April 2024
- Spark Award, Adtalem Growth with Purpose - March 2024
- Academic Honor-The NSLS (National Society of Leadership and Success) Honor Society, Walden University Chapter - October 2023
- Golden Key International Honor Society member, Walden Chapter - December 2023
- Employee Spotlight Award, Salvation Army Lawson Ministries, Canada - October 2012
- Volunteer service honor, Catholic Family Services, Canada - September 2002
- Teaching Excellence Award, MES Kishore Kendra - March 1999
- Scholastic Award, Bangalore University, for securing 10th rank at the university level in the Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.) Examination - April 1994
- Canadian Positive Psychology Association (CPPA) Canada
- Ontario College of Teachers Canada, OCT. (License # 470425)
- NACADA – Community for Academic Advising, Member
- NACADA – Global Initiative Committee Member
- NSLS ((National Society of Leadership and Success) Member Since August 2023
- Golden Key Honor Society Member Since March 2023
- Available upon request