Many applications in analysis and energy and beyond require fundamental understanding of electrochemistry concepts and techniques. Knowledge from multi-disciplines such as surface/interface, kinetics and thermodynamics, and electronics converges in the interpretation and control of an electrochemical process. Appropriate focus and balance between fundamentals and applications can be important in both research and classroom teaching. This talk will discuss some unique challenges and opportunities at Georgia State where non-traditional students constitute a significant population. There will be basic discussions about the classroom teaching including Ph. D., M. S. and undergraduate students. The focus will be about the research and mentoring of graduate and upper level undergraduate students. Nanoelectrochemistry is a central theme in GWang’s research group. Research results in the area of near infrared electrochemiluminescence from atomic-precision metal nanoclusters will be discussed as examples for the recruitment and training of traditional and non-traditional students. Basics of electrochemiluminescence, atomic-precision nanoclusters, as well as the development of sensing strategies and mechanisms for signal amplification will be introduced. Financial supports from NSF (CHE-1610616) and DOE (DE-SC0019043) are acknowledged.