Laura Davis

Education Preparation:
Bachelor of Arts in Communications: Penn State University
Master of Science in Communication Studies: Shippensburg University

Current Employer:
Adjunct Instructor
Harrisburg Area Community College, Lebanon & Lancaster
I teach three sections of Effective Speech

Previous Employer:
Instructor, Communication
DeSales University

Development Director
Allentown Symphony

Alumni Relations Director
Penn State Harrisburg & Schuylkill

Public Information Officer & Alumni Relations Director
Penn State Mont Alto

Teaching Experience:
Began teaching Fall 2001, and began facilitating for CCEDL Fall, 2007

Courses Facilitated:
Communication

Teaching Philosophy:
Teaching is an opportunity for me to share my knowledge of the field of communications learned through formal education and through my various professional positions. I am a great believer in strong communications skills and have found no matter the profession, it is often the last skill considered to be important by the student, whereas employers and other professionals often rank it ahead of technical skills or knowledge as something they look for in employees. I see my role in the classroom as presenting new material and information and guiding students in the ways they can improve their communication skills through writing, speaking and presentations. I also tell them the skills and knowledge learned in my classroom have application across their lives, in their personal, professional and academic lives. It is exciting to see students develop and change throughout each class. Often as they enhance their own communication abilities, they learn about themselves and can reflect about how they and those around them choose to communicate. I really enjoy teaching and find each class is a new learning experience for me too.

I hope to create a classroom that is an open environment for learning, discussion and sharing. I work to do this in a respectful way that hopefully makes all of the students achieve a level of comfort and security. A classroom that is comfortable and respectful creates a strong learning environment.  I use a variety of teaching methods to assist those with different learning methods as well as a way to promote interest. In addition, I try to be very organized in both my presentations and assignments and expect my students to present themselves in such a manner too.  I am open to questions and like to get to know my students. I appreciate those who take the time to discuss their work with me individually and am always happy to discuss the field of communications and my own background in the nonprofit communications world.