Oct. 26, 2004 issue

Eight years ago, I came to Eastern and now can't imagine any other university that's a better fit for me.

Eastern Michigan University has an incredible diversity of students. I teach communication theory and classes in non-verbal, gender and family communication. In any of these classes, there could be students ranging in age from 20-60 years old with different experiences and contrasting viewpoints.

It's really a challenge for me to reach such a diverse class with material in which everyone can relate. But when I do, it's exciting to see the students become more aware and realize that they aren't looking critically at a situation.

They can take the research and material from class, apply it to themselves and discover why an interview went badly or what's actually going on in a family situation.

Future teachers, salespeople and public relations professionals take my classes and I hear from many of them after they graduate. One of my students is now teaching at Oakland University and another is fundraising for Alpha House, an organization that offers services for homeless families.

I also like the freedom EMU gives me to pursue my own research topics. Currently, I'm researching foster parents and children in foster care, which spills over into my private life.

My partner and I have adopted three children and have one foster child. That's in addition to a dog, cat, fish, bird, turtle and yet-to-be-found runaway frog. We'll also soon be adding chickens when we move to a five-acre farm.

 

---