Shweta Singh

Shweta Singh has made significant contributions both in her teaching and in her broader professional work. As a social worker, filmmaker, and academic, Shweta brings a wealth of interdisciplinary knowledge to her courses, drawing from her research and practice in global development, sustainability, and gender studies. 

Most notably, her film, Why Don’t You Speak, Nina?, was recently featured at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, which she described as a transformative project highlighting the angst and frustration faced by women from different cultures. The film, completed in a remarkably short span of 30 days on a minimal budget, was a labor of love that connected her passion for social justice with her creative talents. 

“I wanted to bring out that angst and frustration that they have with their interpersonal and social relationships. We say there's a relational identity of women, but what is that like? How do you get to that? I wanted to put that out, so I wrote the story and reached out to my colleague and all the actors from Chicago.” 

Shweta’s expertise lies in examining how global issues such as hunger, employment, and industrial development impact women and families, particularly in South Asia, Latin America, and Africa. As an evaluator, she assesses global development projects, ensuring they meet sustainable development goals (SDGs) that promote social equity and justice. Her work with women, especially as a therapist, centers on addressing gender and poverty issues, providing her with firsthand insight into the struggles families face in both developing and developed contexts. This hands-on experience greatly enriches her teaching at SCPS, where she leads courses on sustainability, social development, and gender. 

At SCPS, Shweta has developed courses like PLSD 431 (Sustainability and Social Development) and PLSD 432 (Social Development and Gender), which allow students to explore the intersection of sustainability and global development from both a theoretical and practical standpoint. Through these courses, she encourages students to think critically about the impact of industrialization and development on marginalized communities. Many of her students come from diverse professional backgrounds, which enhances classroom discussions and fosters a rich learning environment. Shweta notes that SCPS students are unique in that they bring real-world experiences into their studies, often applying course content directly to their work. 

Her dedication to teaching has resulted in profound outcomes for her students, with many of them successfully using the skills gained in her classes to further their professional goals. Shweta recalls instances where students submitted successful grant applications or were inspired to pursue advanced degrees, including one who decided to pursue a Ph.D. after completing her course. These examples illustrate the practical impact of her teaching and the real-world applicability of the knowledge she imparts. 

“SCPS students are very inspiring because they have full time, professional lives. This content is not easy content that we are delivering. One of my former students is now enrolled in a medical school and had worked at Haiti at a non-profit and is trying to build this expertise into his future medicine practice.” 

Reflecting on her time at SCPS, Shweta speaks highly of the flexibility and support the program offers to adult learners. She emphasizes that SCPS makes it easier for professionals to return to school, especially through its online and asynchronous course offerings. As someone who has been teaching online for over 16 years, she appreciates how SCPS' training in asynchronous course content has helped her deliver a seamless and effective learning experience for students balancing work and education. For prospective students, Shweta encourages them to take the plunge, citing SCPS’s flexibility and the rewarding experience of lifelong learning.