I am a Millennial Professor and I Embrace the 24 Hour Professor Syndrome

Readers,


Whenever I arrive back to the office from a long conference, I am always overwhelmed by the numerous items that I have to accomplish before leaving the office. I have to make online and offline lists (via Google Tasks) as I think about the items I learned from the conference and people I have to contact across campus. 


However, as I persist through the items on these lists, I experience a feeling of accomplishment. By the time I leave the office, usually after 5pm, I accomplish most of the items on the list. Then, I drive home only to answer students' e-mails and sift through my 300 daily e-mails on Gmail. 


This is the life of a millennial professor. I have to keep everything organized and I have to squeeze in time for my family as well. As I answer e-mail at home, I watch movies with my husband and I take my iPad with me as I garden and shop. Yes, I admit, I answer my students' e-mail messages as I eat lunch at La Madeleine on Saturday, browse books at Barnes and Noble, and pursue racks at Goodwill in search of great items for Environmental Communication Week. 


I embrace the fact that I am a 24 hour professor. A few years ago, I tried to avoid falling into the "24 hour professor" trap (i.e. - Does Graduate School Provide Millennial Professors for the Professional Environment), but now I am happy to embrace the fact that I am professionally connected to my students and my career. 


Sincerely,


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

SSCA Conference Reflection - The Last Day...

Readers,

Last week's conference went well. I enjoyed spending time with my students and answering their questions about the presentations. However, on the last day of the conference I experienced a splitting headache before my 11:00 a.m. paper session. This session was my one of my attempts to present quantitative research at a conference. My background is educational leadership (organizational communication) background and I was definitely out of my comfort zone. I learned from my respondent's comments and I will definitely use many of her suggestions in my next research paper. 


If you have a good respondent, you can gain a different insight into your research. If you have a bad respondent, this can make your 75 minute presentation one of the LONGEST periods of your life. The most important thing that I learned from this session is that the WAY people COMMUNICATE positive (or negative) information can GREATLY AFFECT how people receive and remember the information (and the person/people). The next time I function as a respondent for a paper session, I will definitely communicate my comments in a manner that is conducive to positive learning.

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Traveling with Undergraduate Students - A Recap and the DAY AFTER!

Readers,

Today, I arrived back on campus. Thank goodness! I have to admit, when I am away from Texas, I REALLY miss conversing with my colleagues, walking on campus, and teaching! I prepare for my departure at the beginning of the semester and I list the departure in my syllabus.


However, when I arrived back on campus this time, I had a different experience! Remember, I traveled with undergraduate students and I had LOTS of paperwork to submit on their behalf and on my behalf. Whew! Aside from the paperwork and teaching, I had my weekly meeting with my colleague and interns with environmental communication week. Then, I had A LOT of e-mails to answer from students and faculty wishing to present in environmental communication week.


When I arrived home, I was so tired and as much as I wanted to water my garden, I had to sleep for the rest of the evening! Traveling with undergraduate researchers is a rewarding, yet an exhausting process! I definitely look forward to my next experience!


Sincerely,


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Traveling with Undergraduate Students - Today is Presentation Day!

Readers,

Today is the day my undergraduate students present their research! I am excited, yet nervous about their presentation! They are looking forward to presenting their research after lunch. Here is the information from the conference program book:

OUTCOMES OF COLLEGE STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS 
SPONSOR: THEODORE CLEVENGER, JR. UNDERGRADUATE HONORS CONFERENCE
CHAIR/RESPONDENT: TOM SABETTA, UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY


College Students’ Perceptions of Factors Influencing Math Anxiety
Megan Traweek, University of Montevallo


College Students’ Perceptions of Fitness and Body Type in Interpersonal Relationships
Melissa MacDonald, Tarleton State University
Kylee Thetford, Tarleton State University
Nicole Schueneman, Tarleton State University


College Students’ Perceptions of their Undergraduate Peers with Sexually Transmitted Infections

Stacy Diane Coggins, Tarleton State University


College Students’ Perceptions of Interracial Relationships
Chale Moreno, Tarleton State University
Raul Carrillo, Tarleton State University
Winston Dawson, Tarleton State University


It’s an Age Thing: College Female Dating Age Preferences
Jessica Weaver, Southern Adventist University
Hilary Prandl, Southern Adventist University
Kelsey Larrabee, Southern Adventist University
Lauren Swafford, Southern Adventist University
Kara Turpen, Southern Adventist University

Their presentations went very well and I am so proud of them! My department head and Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason came to view their presentations and she said that their presentations were indicative of master's level research. Here are some pictures from their presentations! 

After their presentations, the students sent a text message stating "We have a surprise for you downstairs". I arrived downstairs and the presented gourmet cupcakes to me with a beautiful message stating "Dr. Edwards - Thank you for all of that you do!". It was the best surprise and I was so excited to receive such a great gift during this time of the semester! I really NEEDED that message this week! :)

Overall, it was a great conference and I hope that I will be able to take students to the Southern States Communication Association conference next year in San Antonio! :) We would also like to thank Tarleton's Student Research and Creative Activities Office, the Council for Undergraduate Research, and the Tarleton Communication Studies Office for their support of our trip! :)

Sincerely,

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.