My approach is always evolving but reflects an interpersonal and interactive style that emphasizes a student-centered orientation that includes focused group discussions, simulations, and demonstrations. My goal is to engage students and have them think. In seeking to push students to think and to think harder, I often give exams that require application, analysis and synthesis of concepts rather than rote learning. My ultimate teaching goal is to have a class of students all get A’s, not because I have graded easy, but because they were all motivated to excel. I am forever in pursuit of the better mousetrap and consequently I continually experiment with the design and methods applied in my teaching. In general I am committed to providing a strong liberal arts education to my students. And as such, the focus is not so much on the content of what students learn, but on students’ personal development and cognitive growth.

I feel fortunate to teach and study something that continues to fascinate and inspire me and which significantly contributes everyone’s health, happiness, and success—interpersonal communication. I have been intrigued by how communication and relationships affect who we are and how we manage our interactions with other people. As an engineering major I was required to take a speech communication course. That course introduced me to the field of communication and a decision to change my major in speech communication. I didn’t realize it at the time (the late ‘60’s), but I took a course in interpersonal communication when it was first being added to curricula throughout the United Stated. When I first came to Iowa State, a few basic interpersonal communication concepts and theories were taught as part of a public speaking course. Believing the subject deserved a more significant place in the curriculum, I developed and got approval for a standalone course in interpersonal communication in the Fall of 1987 and have been teaching it at ISU ever since.