Nov. 8, 2005 issue
I have been teaching at Eastern Michigan University since 1991, working
part-time while I earned my doctorate in communication from Wayne State
University. I was hired as an associate professor in 1997. I believe that
the communication discipline is extraordinary, which is why I think I
get so excited about teaching in this area of research.
The first time I walked into one of EMU's classrooms as a graduate assistant,
I knew immediately that teaching is what I wanted to do for the rest of
my life. My colleagues, who were my professors back then, really encouraged
and supported me.
I love to teach here because of the people I work with and my students.
My colleagues at the University truly feel like family
to me and there is so much diversity between the students.
This includes not just race, but class and gender as well.
My favorite course to teach is CTAC 375 Interracial/Interethnic
Communication. Helping people understand how communication
impacts race relations makes me feel like I am changing the
world. I always tell my students that I depend on them to
make this world a better place because what they do affects
my children's lives. My students are my future.
