Faculty Spotlights

Communication

Click the instructor's name to learn more.

Undergraduate Courses (CM)

Kristy Callihan

CM214, CM305, CM310, CM315, CM350, CM499

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I teach Conflict and Communication, Public Speaking for the Professional and Communicating in a Diverse Society.

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG.

I am currently in The Equity Project (a semester long immersive training to learn teaching techniques specific to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.)

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

My awareness and growth as a educator to continuing learning and growing my craft FOR my students helps them succeed not only in my class, but hopefully persist in their degree path at PG as well.

How did you find your way to your career path?

I stumbled on this field when determining a major at Texas Tech University. I sat next to a student who was a COM major and fell in love with the field. I have never looked back.

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Talk to your teachers! They are a great resource for your success not only in each class you take but also to guide you to school resources that will benefit you.

Photo of Faculty Member Tyler Song, man with short hair and facial hair

Tyler Sorg

CM115, CM202, CM206, CM310, CM410, CM460

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I am a Full Time Adjunct, teaching communication courses here at Purdue Global. For the last couple years, I have taught two communication courses and I have loved it. It is has been awesome working with Dena and such great students!

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG.

My background is in teaching and sales. I worked as an account manager, traveling the United States working with a very diverse audience. From CEOs in Mexico, to line workers in Chicago, I found that building a strong rapport with the other person makes the transaction of communication much more effective and longer lasting. I take this approach into teaching. I feel like being accepting and providing a safe place for all students to have makes education truly what it is intended for--to learn.

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

As mentioned before, my experience working with a diverse audience has made me capable of connecting with my students. At PG, we have students deployed overseas, on the West Coast, East Coast, and all over. If you cannot connect with your students, you are not going to help them learn. This has been my approach to not only my professional career, but my personal life as well. My experience working with all demographics has allowed me to be successful in my teaching here at Purdue Global.

How did you find your way to your career path?

Great question. To be honest, by trial and error. I found that there are things in life that we are good at and things that we are bad at. Although I was good at sales, I was bad at cubicles. I did not want to spend my entire day in one place. Even though I teach online, this does give me the flexibility to work remotely, grading in different places. When it comes to teaching, I doubled down on what I felt was my biggest skill and that is talking to people.

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Trust yourself! I was an older student, getting my degree with students who were much younger than me. I started to doubt myself, asking questions like, "Do I belong here?" The answer was YES, and that goes for you all as well. You do belong here. Trust yourself and really make the most of each class. Try to get involved and challenge yourself. This all leads to growth!

Jason Waldow

CM115, CM202, CM206, CM208, CM214, CM305, CM310, CM405, CM410

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

Jason Waldow is a Full Time Faculty Professor of Communication with Purdue University Global. He also serves as a Course Lead, instructor mentor and is currently serving as Faculty Advisor for the Tri-Alpha national 1st generation honor society.

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG.

Professor Waldow has served as a team leadership consultant for Boeing executives which allows his research and studies to interconnect in the private sector. He has also utilized his Communications background to help create crisis management strategies for organizations. He enjoys working with local non-profits that help "at-risk" youth and has been involved with the Big Brother Big Sister organization for many years

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

Prof. Waldow's eclectic business and music industry background serves as a great foundation to meet all student's where they are and help them achieve their goals no matter their interest. This makes for very robust seminar and discussion board interactions and a warm inclusive classroom atmosphere.

How did you find your way to your career path?

Prof. Waldow is a multipotentialist who loves research and helping which blends right in to higher education.

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Plan your work; Work your plan. Never plan to fail; Never fail a plan. Never hesitate to reach out to your instructor - they went through similar journey's and they are here to help you achieve your goals.

Dorothy Williams

CM115, CM206, CM214, CM310, CM410, CM460, ED558

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I am a member of the fulltime faculty team, Course Lead for several courses, Faculty Consultant for the EdD program, and SME (Subject Matter Expert).

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG.

My background includes being raised in a military family, serving on various executive boards, holding office in nonprofit organizations, and various careers in radio and television, finance, and higher education leadership.

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

I can share my professional and educational experiences with our students to bring their learning to life.

How did you find your way to your career path?

While a manager in the business arena, I was asked to teach a Public Relations course (the emphasis of my M.S.) as an adjunct faculty member. Soon after, I became the Faculty and Curriculum and Operations Director while teaching adult students. I enjoyed the entire higher education experience and have been a part of it ever since. I am thrilled to be part of the PG team!

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

I share this in my courses: As an adult student working and raising a family while completing my PhD, I understand balance. Life is a busy pie with working inside and/or outside the home, family (whatever this may look like), school, and more. It is important to work hard yet save a piece of that busy pie for you and those around you supporting you in this educational journey.

Page updated

Report abuse