Rory McGloin: from UConn student to Communications Professor ...

Hi everyone, Lauren here!

Rory McGloin

As I reflect over the past four years at UConn, I?ve come to realize how easily the professor can make or break a class.? Unfamiliar material can come alive when the instructor is engaged, personable, and motivated to see their students succeed.? In my experience, I have found that no one exemplifies these attributes more so than Assistant Professor in Residence, Rory McGloin.

After graduating from Stonehill College with a degree in Mediated Communication, Rory received both his Masters degree and PH.D in Communication from UConn.? His passion for the field of communication stems from its direct applicability to every context.? Specifically, Rory is interested in the communication process as it relates to technology and the effects of media, explaining that ?because technology is constantly changing, so is the material I teach in my courses.?? He even concentrated on this impact of technology when completing his dissertation, as he researched how the effects of controllers can change the user?s perceptual realism when playing a video game, finding both positive and negative social effects.

After taking two classes with Rory, his enthusiasm for what he was teaching in the classroom was both obvious and contagious.? He always seemed genuinely interested in what his students had to say, allowing for easier and more open classroom discussion.? This desire to see his students succeed was especially evident when I took Persuasion (COMM 3100.)? The major semester assignment was to create a pro-social campaign and implement it on campus.? This has become one of Rory?s favorite classes to teach over the years, as he has found it rewarding to see his students give back to the UConn community.? Through the completion of this project, I saw how applicable communication is outside the classroom.

Rory with his advisor at his 2011 PH.D graduation

Rory?s advice to prospective Communication students is to understand how valuable UConn?s research initiative is.? He says that ?many Communication students aspire to work in the Public Relations, Marketing, or Advertising fields.? By being trained in research methods, they have a leg-up on their competitors because they are able to analyze and synthesize information in a different and more complete way.?? He also thinks it?s important for students to be proactive and get to know their teachers, explaining that ?students shouldn?t underestimate the power of the connections they make with professors in college.?

After taking a class, many students fall out of touch with their instructors.? I am glad to have found that a year later, Rory is still as inviting, dedicated, and willing to listen as he was the first day of class.? Because of his passion and dedication to everything he does, he no doubt will have a bright future!

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