On the one hand, there is a particular upright backbone one needs to create something out of a blank canvas to make it the masterpiece they hope it to be. While in comparison, teaching any class is a challenge for a teacher every year, but it also allows the students and the teacher to grow together.
On the other hand, taking care of a family, being a published author, a highly sought-after keynote speaker, and the president of an entire campus is no easy task by any means, but it’s adding teaching to that list while keeping up the same everyday activities that Dr. Brian O. Hemphill, Radford the University’s seventh president is accustomed too.
With a steadfast commitment to excellence, accountability, transparency, student-centeredness and believing that the Commonwealth of Virginia can be a top competitor in teaching; Hemphill’s class will be about Communication and Leadership, an introduction to the study and practice of leadership from a communication perspective.
The class will start spring 2018 and the School of Communication director, Dr. Matthew Smith will help co-teach the course in times when Hemphill cannot be there during urgent matters.
Since Hemphill just joined the campus July 1, 2016, he has already been making an impact with his first inaugural State of the University Address, the 17 recommendations during the Budget Planning Summit, and adding new programs like the Innovative Mobile Personalized Accelerated Competency Training program (IMPACT). Now Hemphill will get the chance to be down at the teacher’s level and thus approve from there.
The class has currently been filled up already with a student cap of 20 but as the devoted public servant and steward of Radford University that Hemphill is there is a possibility that this class will open more as years go on, and students move up levels. Hemphill is here for the long haul, and he is clearly showing that every day.
