Casey Ingram, director of residential life at Louisiana Tech University, discusses her 20-year involvement with the University. She highlights the importance of housing freshmen on campus, which currently accommodates 75% of the student population. She talks about the housing challenges in the COVID-19 era and the significance of maintaining a personal connection with students and […]
124. Benjamin Bergholtz: Engagement and Reflection
Dr. Ben Bergholtz, assistant professor of English at Louisiana Tech University, discusses his journey into academia, his teaching philosophy, and his book “Swallowing a World: Globalization and the Maximalist Novel.” He emphasizes the importance of engaging students through high-energy, reflective classes and the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Bergholtz highlights the evolution of the English curriculum […]
123. Chris Dicus: Good Fire, Bad Fire
Dr. Chris Dicus, Louisiana Tech alum and a professor of Wildland Fire and Fuels Management at Cal Poly, talks about his early interest in wildlife and his decision to study at Tech. Dicus shares his career path, including his work on the Black Saturday fires in Australia and the multiple wildfire outbreaks in California. He […]
121. Amy Vessel: Professional Brainstormer
Dr. Amy Vessel, director of the Clinical Residency and Recruitment Center at Louisiana Tech, shares her journey from a four-generation education family to her current role. She highlights the TEAM model, which includes mentor teachers and faculty evaluators, and the success of graduates in securing jobs. Vessel emphasizes the importance of finding joy in teaching […]
120. Selwyn Ellis: Tech-Savvy Problem Solvers
Guest host LeAnn Waldroup interviews Dr. Selwyn Ellis, a long-tenured professor and department head at Louisiana Tech University, about his journey and contributions to the institution. He discusses his transition from Mississippi to Louisiana Tech for his doctorate, his role in the Center for Information Assurance, and the evolution of Tech’s computer information systems degree. […]
119. Sarah McVay: Heroes with Heart
Dr. Sarah McVay, a leader in Louisiana Tech’s Division of Nursing, cares about her work, her patients, and her students with equal fervor. So much so that the Heroes with Heart retreat at MedCamps was born out of a desire to help her future nursing graduates contribute to the community and develop as caregivers. In […]