Classroom Seating, Weight Stigma and AI with Jennifer Bielman

1 min read

Published: 25 Jun 2026

Emma Gange

Learning Outcomes Leaders Podcast Ep 009 with Jennifer Bielman hero

Welcome to episode 009 of Learning Outcomes Leaders, the higher education podcast from Genio.

When students are worried about whether they'll fit in the seat, they aren't focused on learning.

In this episode, Jennifer Bielman, Administrative Coordinator at Riverside City College (RCC), shares her doctoral research into classroom seating equity for students of size, why weight stigma is an overlooked barrier to student success, and how classified professionals can make the case for change on campus.

What will you learn from this episode?

Why is classroom seating an equity issue for students of size?
How do desks attached to seats affect learning and belonging?
Why is weight stigma so rarely discussed in higher education?
How can enrollment-based funding make seating changes harder?
How can colleges include people with lived experience without singling them out?
How can classified professionals get their voice heard in campus decisions?
What advice does Jennifer have for anyone starting a career in higher education?

Listen to the full conversation below, or on your favorite podcast app.

Quick answers from the episode

Why is classroom seating an equity issue?

Classroom seating is an equity issue because students who don't fit comfortably end up focusing on their seat, not their learning. Jennifer describes arriving early to find an accessible seat, sitting at the front where everyone can see, and being left out of group projects. She notes that many newer flexible seating designs still don't consider students of size.

What makes seating changes hard to put in place?

Funding makes seating changes hard to put in place. Jennifer explains that her college's funding is tied to how many students it can educate, so swapping desks for fewer, larger seats can mean losing seats and money. That's why change needs facilities, business services and academic affairs in the same conversation.

How can colleges start this conversation about weight equity?

Colleges can start conversations about weight equity by involving people with lived experience, with care. Jennifer suggests adding size to the list of things colleges already consider in classroom design, alongside how people learn and physical needs like height. Some people may not want to be part of the conversation, so institutions need to read their own culture first.