BRYAN BEREK
Special to The Leader
Dr. Amanda Lohiser, an assistant professor at State University of New York at Fredonia, has a passion for teaching — a quality that is on full display when she is in the classroom. Her journey to becoming an educator was a long one, but one that was, for her, well worth the wait and schooling.
Lohiser’s inspiration for educating began long before she became a professor in 2016.
At first, she attended church and taught Sunday school, designing lesson plans and taking a liking to the idea of teaching. Her educational background began at State University of New York at Buffalo, where Lohiser earned a Bachelor’s degree in communication. Afterwards, she pursued a Master’s degree in public relations management, which she earned in 2008 at the University at Buffalo. Lohiser wanted to further her educational background and went back to the University at Buffalo to earn her Ph.D. in communication in 2012.
Lohiser’s wealth of knowledge pays off when it comes to class time.
Her knowledge of the topic at hand is valuable in helping the students understand the topic. For example, Lohiser teaches classes in nonverbal communication and the fundamentals of communication, along with a plethora of other communication courses. Nonverbal communication focuses on nonverbal cues in communication situations. The fundamentals of communication teaches students the basics of communication and collaboration skills.
In her classroom, Lohiser can apply the highest level of knowledge and interaction to make her classes as informative as possible.
Lohiser also had the opportunity to teach overseas in Singapore. While she was attending school for her Ph.D. at the University at Buffalo, Lohiser was approached by her advisor about the opportunity to teach overseas in Singapore.
According to Lohiser, the opportunity was exquisite and too good not to pounce on. Lohiser put in an application on behalf of the University at Buffalo’s doctorate assistantship program and was chosen to go to Singapore.
The intention was for Lohiser to go for one year to teach in Singapore, but each year she was reviewed and ended up staying for a total of four years.
Lohiser taught at what was called a “satellite campus” of the University at Buffalo, known as the Singapore Institute of Management.
Lohiser said that she “loved teaching overseas” and is “very happy” to share her experiences of teaching a different culture back here in the classroom at Fredonia.
Lohiser admitted that she is an introvert, and wanted to make it clear what an introvert meant. “Being introverted doesn’t mean that you don’t involve yourself in group exercises and such, it just means that you need your own space to recharge… Having a group of introverts to be introverted is quite beneficial,” Lohiser said.
To further understand Lohiser’s method of teaching and her impact on her student lives, Allyson Youngs, a student of Lohiser, wanted to share her experiences.
She said, “Dr. Lohiser has a love for teaching and her students. She makes the content more digestible with her personality.” Youngs continued, “Dr. Lohiser also approaches her instruction with a more relational approach, meaning what content Dr. Lohiser [delivers with] her personality and being able to implement it in the classroom… Her openness makes us want to excel in the classroom and participate more.”
Lohiser said that she wishes to remain a professor, “until I drop over.” Lohiser sees teaching as her calling and sees herself in the position until she is no longer able to do it. “When I start falling asleep during class, then I’ll retire,” Lohiser said.
Lohiser would share her passion for teaching and sharing her knowledge with the entire student body if given the opportunity.
Lohiser certainly has made her mark on the student’s lives with whom she has taught. She creates an environment where she wants all to feel welcome and safe, and one where they can succeed and strive in.