Serving as a Music faculty member for Semester At Sea / ISE during the Spring 2020 voyage has been one of the most memorable parts of my journey as a public speaker–something I recall today as I begin a new chapter at the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.
One such experience was my time as faculty on Semester at Sea during the Spring 2020 voyage. Teaching on a floating campus during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was an intense test of resiliency for everyone on board, from faculty to students.
I am incredibly honoured to share these words from Gene Gloeckner, the Academic Dean of that voyage:
“I have been reflecting on our Semester At Sea / ISE. That brought me to this reflection on you as one of our most impactful professors. It was a pleasure to work with you, Dr. Shumaila Hemani, as a faculty member and friend on Semester at Sea. Your teaching of Soundscapes and Ritual: Musical Cultures of the World brought exceptional expertise, creativity, and compassion to the classroom. Your teaching encouraged students to think critically while engaging deeply with music, culture, and global perspectives.
When the voyage was unexpectedly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Shumaila, you demonstrated a level of resilience, adapting your teaching from an immersive shipboard experience to a fully remote classroom while maintaining meaningful student engagement. You approached unprecedented challenges with professionalism, creativity, and dedication to your students.
Shumaila your presentation to our faculty was both intellectually rich and deeply moving, receiving a standing ovation from the Semester at Sea community of students, faculty, and staff. You combine academic excellence with authenticity, warmth, and a gift for connecting with diverse audiences through storytelling and dialogue.
Shumaila, I wholeheartedly recommend you as a speaker, facilitator, and educator. Any organization seeking a presenter who can engage audiences with intelligence, empathy, and lasting impact would be fortunate to work with her.”
Moments like these remind me why I do this work: whether in a classroom or on a stage, my goal is to weave together rigorous intellectual engagement with the compassion needed to navigate our changing world.
I am grateful for the community of colleagues and students who have shaped my journey. If you are looking for a speaker or facilitator who brings both academic depth and a human-centred approach to your next event, let’s connect. You can view my full speaker profile here:
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