This paper examines opportunities to improve student achievement by examining teaching effectiveness. It suggests practices that instructors use in their course delivery to encourage interest in the subject and create a connection between the subject and global competitiveness. This paper examines the challenges that post-secondary instructors face in course and class design for delivering impressionable and long-lasting academic instruction that gives students a competitive edge. Today's students must lead or be left behind. They face unique challenges and have different educational needs. Instructors must align courses with the requirements of the society of the future, which will demand new combinations of skills and abilities. Recognizing that student achievement is inextricably linked to teaching effectiveness, the authors surveyed students about their favorite professor and class and why that person and class were selected. Survey results were analyzed to identify effective teaching characteristics. (Contains 3 tables.)