Transformational Servant Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Facilitators’ Perspectives

Simone Van Der Merwe is a dedicated educator passionate about helping students reach their full potential academically and professionally. Originally from Brazil, she studied in South Africa and Canada and was privileged to live in the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Simone completed her Master of Arts in leadership with a focus on adult education from Trinity Western University (TWU). She received the MA in Leadership Outstanding Academic Achievement for the highest-grade point average and was nominated for the 2022 Governor General’s Gold Medal. Simone has been working as a coach and facilitator at TWU for the past two years. Her primary role is to help international students by creating culturally inclusive learning environments to improve their learning experiences and assimilation of course content. She also conducts one-on-one coaching sessions with students and serves as a bridge between students and faculty, ensuring instructors know students’ challenges and needs. Additionally, Simone has helped international students improve their writing skills at various stages of the writing process, thus supporting learners in developing their written communication skills, an essential aspect of academic success. Simone is a part-time faculty member at the University Canada West and Trinity Western University, where she teaches undergraduate and Master of Arts in leadership to international students. Additionally, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership at the University of the Cumberlands. She is excited to continue her research on the impact of transformational and servant leadership principles on international students’ academic performance.