Mary-Angie Salvá-Ramírez: Florida Memorial Faculty member

Many schools talk about having a “supportive” and “mentoring” faculty. Too often, you can’t really tell how true that is until classes have begun. Perhaps a glimpse into the mind of a professor, Mary-Angie Salvá-Ramírez will give you an idea of what “support” and “mentorship” mean at Florida Memorial. Her “no-nonsense” attitude has earned her the love and greatest respect of her students.

_{Her credentials:}

Bachelor of Science in Biology, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, Puerto Rico; Master in Communications (Public Relations), Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, Puerto Rico; Ph.D. in Speech Communication (Organizational Communication), Wayne State University 

_{Her position:}

Associate Professor of Communications, Department of Humanities, School of Arts & Sciences

_{Her student involvement:}

Advisor, Public Relations Student Society Association (PRSSA)

_{Her life interests:}

Teaching, wildlife protection, human population control

_{Student/teacher relationship:}

“It is my duty to do everything I can to stretch students intellectually in preparation for the professional world.  My goal is to develop individuals who can think and act for themselves.
I lead by example—demanding nothing more of my students than I do of myself.  My classes are well thought out and purposeful, and I provide extensive feedback in order to meet students’ needs. Most importantly, I make sure my students know I expect them to exercise the same care and thoroughness in their coursework. If they fail to make the effort to meet these expectations, they know I will call them on it.”

_{Her approach to teaching:}

“I believe that to teach is to serve, and that the teacher’s mission is to educate. This means being sensitive to a diversity of learning styles. I do all I can to create a classroom environment in which my students can comfortably express doubt or disagreement—giving them opportunities to learn on their own terms. I do everything in my power to ensure they are equipped with the communication skills to tackle any given problem.”

_{Her hero(s):}

“All women who refuse to abide by the patriarchal norms of society.”

_{Her #1 lesson:}

“Ultimate freedom and independence begins with the acquisition of knowledge. Learn to question authority.”