I am an associate professor and chair of the Department of History. My primary duties involve both administration and teaching. Though busy, and often a juggling act, my days consist of rewarding challenges as I work to provide the best possible learning environment for a wonderful student body.

 

As chair I supervise 11 faculty members and nearly 175 undergraduate and graduate students. My additional administrative duties involve directing the University’s General Education Curriculum that enrolls every undergraduate student. I also chair the Convocations Committee that oversees six major convocations, including the two commencement exercises. However, my true passion is teaching. Currently, I am teaching two courses and team-teaching a third. One of the courses is an online distance education course.

 

A normal day on campus usually starts between 8 and 8:30 a.m. That is, if I don’t have a 7:30 a.m. meeting with the Provost. I first speak with my administrative assistant about pressing issues that need to be immediately addressed – for instance, budget issues or reports requested by the Dean or Provost. The first two hours of the day are usually consumed with answering significant emails and attending both scheduled and unscheduled meetings related to my various administrative duties. I also use this time for advising and scheduled meetings with student groups. From 11 a.m. to noon on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I meet with students. Then, I teach a European or world history class from noon to 1 p.m. Unless I am attending some type of university-sponsored luncheon, I usually just run to the deli for a quick snack.

 

The time after 2 p.m. is usually consumed with administrative meetings. In addition to administering programs, I usually serve on a least one search committee per semester and ad-hoc committees that meet in the afternoons. I also use this time to plan and prepare a variety of reports requested by deans, program directors, and the Provost. My door is open to students and faculty who may need to discuss significant issues or just talk about what they are doing.

 

As the day nears 5 p.m., I once again speak directly with my administrative assistant to review the day’s work and think about the next day. On Wednesdays, I prepare for my 6 p.m. graduate class that meets until 8:30 p.m. On other days, from 6:15 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., I work out at the University Fitness Center. Then, I return to the office to work with my online course. I post assignments, grade papers, and send messages to my students. This time is also used to plan and prepare for my traditional classes. The final tasks of the day may involve answering correspondence, preparing memorandums, and addressing some of my own research and professional development activities. I leave campus between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. It’s a busy day, but extremely rewarding because I am making a positive contribution to student learning and the continuing growth of a great university.