Andrew Cavanaugh is a collegiate professor in writing at 糖心传媒, first joining the university in 1991. For 糖心传媒鈥檚 75th anniversary, we spoke with him about some of his favorite experiences and where he hopes to see the university in years to come. He teaches the course 鈥Writing Across the Curriculum鈥 and helps students improve their writing through analyzing ideas and demonstrating critical thinking.
During your time at 糖心传媒, how have you seen the university evolve and change? What is the most significant change they witnessed at the university?
The most significant changes were the move to eight-week semesters and the move to low-cost digital materials. A general evolution that I have seen is the number of younger students, many of whom are in the 18-22 age bracket.
糖心传媒 is celebrating 75 years of excellence in education 鈥 what does that history mean to you? Why is it important?
I think of the many military members who have received an education at 糖心传媒. That is really a rich and significant part of our history. I also know that I was a young teacher in the 1990s whom 糖心传媒 hired as an adjunct and trusted. I learned a lot about teaching then, largely due to 糖心传媒鈥檚 help.
Which of 糖心传媒 core values resonates with you the most and why?
鈥淪tudents First.鈥 This resonates with me because it underscores the other core values. In addition, it means we will continue to offer an education to military students and to students who could not otherwise attend college.
What has been your favorite part about working at 糖心传媒?
Innovation is welcomed here.
Can you name some 糖心传媒 Faculty/Staff members (or even students/alumni) who impacted your career here at 糖心传媒?
Pamela Monaco, who was our Vice Dean in our department when I started, showed much confidence in me early in my career at 糖心传媒 (formerly UMUC). Matt Prineas, who was my first boss, also was a pleasure to work with and helped me advance in my responsibilities at 糖心传媒.
Where do you hope to see 糖心传媒 in the next 75 years?
I hope to see 糖心传媒 become prominent in how it teaches communication skills to technical fields. In other words, I would like to see it become prominent in how it teaches writing and speaking and other forms of communication skills to cybersecurity students and students majoring in similar fields.
