Get to Know Your Professor: Dr. Cliff Oliech

The vibrant sense of community and belonging throughout the School of Education classrooms and across campus is what Special Education Professor Dr. Cliff Oliech loves most about Duquesne. Dr. Oliech was greeted by this community when he first came to Duquesne from his home in Kisumu, Kenya to study Special Education in our School of Education (M.S.Ed. Special Education, CBP/HD '20 | Ph.D. Special Education '23). He embraces meaningful connections and encourages his students to build them.

Dr. Oliech emphasizes that teachers are responsible for giving students opportunities to grow, and diverse, equitable learning opportunities are essential. His research aims to improve educational and employment opportunities and outcomes for individuals with disabilities, supporting the notion that everyone, with or without a disability, has a goal of employment, education and independent living.

Get to know Dr. Oliech as he shares what he loves about Duquesne and Pittsburgh and offers insight as he works to make a difference in the lives of learners through his teaching and research.

Q&A with Dr. Oliech

I was born and raised in Kisumu, Kenya, a country in East Africa. Most of my education was in Kenya. The education system is different in Kenya. The government dictates the career paths of students. Initially, I was interested in pursuing law, communication and journalism but was denied the opportunity. As a result, my mother encouraged me to pursue special education. She was a special education teacher for the majority of her life and worked with intellectually disabled individuals. She was good at making a difference. Watching how my mother impacted lives with limited resources was inspiring. Eventually, I realized my passion for being an educator, with special education as my focus.
Duquesne has a very welcoming and respectful community of students. I appreciate that the faculty and staff are also supportive. There is value in our community. The Duquesne mission binds us together. Various resources and support are available for students.
I graduated with two degrees from Duquesne University:
  • Ph.D., Special Education, 2023
  • M.S.Ed., Special Education - Cognitive, Behavior, Physical/Health Disabilities, 2020

I love the opportunities the School of Education has provided to shape who I am, my values, my knowledge and my connections. Furthermore, scholarship opportunities allow students to pursue their academic aspirations with financial support.

I love our students. They seem happy to be part of our campus community. Students enthusiastically join clubs and organizations. Furthermore, they are excited about volunteering, including during summer break to prepare for welcoming incoming freshmen and transfer students before classes begin every fall. There is a sense of belonging here.

The individuals who work here are kind and respectful. And everyone enjoys developing valuable relationships that usually continue after graduation.
Before embarking on a career in education make sure you love it. You should love the profession you are pursuing. Also, remember to be compassionate and tolerant of people from diverse backgrounds and identities. Uphold high standards and treat individuals with respect and dignity. Students want to feel welcomed in the classroom.

When you arrive at Duquesne work to build strong relationships and network continuously. Establishing meaningful connections can positively impact lives and professions. Finally, don’t feel the pressure to conquer the world. Do your best and refrain from comparing yourself to others. If it is your best nothing else should matter.
My teaching style adapts to the course or depends on the topic. I believe knowledge should flow from different directions. Students learn that interaction is essential throughout all activities. Discussions and group work provide opportunities for sharing individual experiences and connecting stories to what is learned in class. Students connect using technology too. The results of using a variety of approaches to teaching are impactful.
In special education, Duquesne students must understand the importance of inclusive classroom environments. Teachers are responsible for giving learners opportunities to grow. Supporting diverse learning profiles matters. Educators must provide equal opportunities in their classrooms
Recently, I received an email from a student that will remain memorable. The email expressed gratitude for the sense of belonging present in the classroom following one of the class sessions. The student admitted to struggling to feel connected before taking my class; however, the welcoming environment I created in my classroom and the conversations that unfolded during class allowed for participation in open discussions, which made them feel as though they belonged. The class was enjoyable because it provided a comfortable learning environment to all the students.

When I teach, space is created for all students. Individuals who are on the margins belong in the center. My input empowers all students.
It is okay to ask for help when things are not going well. The first step is sharing that assistance is needed with class or outside of class. Faculty want students to be successful, so communicating effectively is key. If faculty can’t help, campus and community resources are available that may be able to assist.
Most students would be surprised that I speak three different languages: Luo, Kiswahili and English.
  1. Luo: Western Nilotic language family spoken in East Africa
  2. Kiswahili: Kiswahili, also known as Swahili, is a Bantu language widely spoken in East Africa. It is Kenya's national and official language.
  3. English: English is the language taught in educational institutions in Kenya. 
I love walking. I also love playing sports, especially basketball and soccer. I am an exceptional soccer player. My love of soccer has led me to find enjoyment in participating in the PA West Soccer League, where I represent the Penn Trafford Soccer Club. Furthermore, I love to travel. I aspire to visit all 50 states in the U.S. someday. So far, I am at about 15 states.
I like the vibrant campus community. There is a sense of belonging. There are people from different walks of life on campus. There are so many things to enjoy about our campus: various cultures, sports teams and academic resources, including the Gumberg Library and the support provided there. There are also favorable non-academic resources: access to gym facilities and support for mental health. If I can’t help, I can find someone to support students.
Pittsburgh has become home to me. I have been here for six and a half years. I love taking walks in the city and exploring monuments.

What is your favorite thing to do in the city?
I enjoy the view of the city from Mt. Washington. I also appreciate the options for sporting events in Pittsburgh: football, baseball, soccer and hockey.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the city?
Two places came to mind quickly. Salem’s Market and Grill, (Mediterranean cuisine) in the Strip District is my favorite because it reminds me of home (Kenya, East Africa). My other favorite place to eat is Monterey Bay Fish Grotto in Mt. Washington.
My research interest is focused on my commitment to improving educational and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities through innovative teaching methods and inclusive assessment practices like Universal Design Learning (UDL) and Video-Based Interventions (VBI).

Some of my previous work involves applying UDL in college STEM programs to enhance scientific skills and teaching soft skills for employment using video modelling (VM) to students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Intellectual and Development Disabilities (IDD).

Reimagining quality of life outcomes for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) is the work I am currently focusing on. This work is based on the awareness that we tend to think everyone with a disability has a goal of employment, education and independent living.