{"id":20647,"date":"2026-06-16T13:49:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T18:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/opid\/?page_id=20647"},"modified":"2026-06-16T13:49:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T18:49:15","slug":"ismaila-odogba","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/opid\/wisconsin-teaching-fellows-scholars-program\/2026-27-wisconsin-teaching-fellows-scholars-2\/ismaila-odogba\/","title":{"rendered":"Ismaila Odogba"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t\t
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UW-Stevens Point<\/h3>\n

Professor
\n<\/em>Geography and Geology<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Ismaila Odogba is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Geology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he also serves as co-director of the Center for the Small City. His research and teaching focus on comparative urban development, land use planning, political economy, and regional systems.<\/p>\n

Driven by a pedagogical philosophy that prioritizes active, collaborative, and student-centered learning, Dr. Odogba teaches an eclectic range of courses. His offerings span from Witchcraft and Society and World Regional Geography to Urban Political Economy, Land Use Plan Implementation, and Planning Theory and Process\u2014reflecting his belief that understanding cities and regions requires both intellectual depth and broad curiosity. Throughout his tenure, he has been a dedicated mentor, guiding students through capstone projects, independent studies, and internships that bridge academic theory with real-world urban planning practice.<\/p>\n

Deeply engaged in civic and community governance, Dr. Odogba serves on the City of Stevens Point Board of Zoning Appeals and the Board of Directors for the Stevens Point Area Co-op. He holds a Master\u2019s in City Planning from Clemson University and a Doctorate in Urban and Public Affairs from the University of Louisville.<\/p>\n

Outside of academia, Dr. Odogba is a passionate Manchester United supporter and an avid soccer player who loves the outdoors, lifelong learning, and a good question. On summer days, he is most likely to be found in his garden\u2014tending, growing, and no doubt thinking about land use.<\/p>\n

Teaching and Learning Philosophy<\/strong><\/h6>\n

For me, teaching is about more than delivering content\u2014it is about cultivating a lifelong love of learning and a deep passion for geography and urban planning. I believe students learn best through inquiry and problem-based learning (PBL). In my classroom, geography comes alive through spatial exploration and analysis, while urban planning is taught through hands-on capstones and research projects that tackle real-world issues.<\/p>\n

Learning should be active, collaborative, and practical. To achieve this, I use backward design to ensure every lesson targets lasting foundational concepts, and the Socratic method to spark critical thinking. I also use collaborative testing and group projects to encourage students to learn from one another and build collective problem-solving skills.<\/p>\n

My professional “why” comes down to three things: creating a classroom that maximizes student participation, sharpening the holistic reasoning skills students need to face real-world challenges, and inspiring a lifelong curiosity that helps them thrive long after graduation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>

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