SUNY Online Teaching Ambassador 2022: Alfred State – Judith Rose

Judith A. Rose is a professor in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at Alfred State College. Judith has lived in New York State her entire life and has enjoyed a lifelong relationship with the SUNY system starting her college education at Alfred State in the late 1970’s and finishing at Empire State College (3) decades later. This journey has led her full circle back to Alfred State where she has held a variety of positions mentoring and assisting online students in addition to teaching in person and remotely.  Judith and her husband have (9) grown children between them that have all attended a SUNY school.  She currently lives in the Southern Tier with their dogs, cats and chickens.  Besides teaching, Judith enjoys spending time with family, cooking and gardening.

I believe that through education an individual will acquire the skills and tools they will need throughout their lives.  Within an online educational setting learners are encouraged to solve problems similar to those they will encounter outside of school.  My goal in teaching is to guide all students through the learning process.  In addition to understanding course content, it is imperative they develop specific competencies along the way (critical thinking, written and oral communication, teamwork/collaboration, leadership, professionalism and career management).  These competencies will equip students to handle a broad range of demands in future academic and occupational settings.

As an educator it is my duty to ensure that learning takes place in a safe, open and supportive environment that encourages collaboration by fostering positive relationships with others.  The online courses I create are designed to generate enthusiasm for learning because learning occurs when a student is fully engaged in the process, makes a personal connection with the information being taught, and is able to apply the knowledge to a variety of circumstances.  When instruction provides “value” for students it yields a pathway for them to seek new opportunities and reach their ultimate goal(s).