One year into the new position as chair of the communication department at Olivet Nazarene University, Dr. Heather McLaughlin continues to love her job.
Along with being the head of the comm department, McLaughlin continues her role as a professor at Olivet. This is a role that she loves with a passion.
Before teaching she was director of digital Media in the office of university relations for the University of Kansas, where she was getting her Ph.D.
“I was doing video production, I was editing, directing, and producing. I really enjoyed my time there,” she said.
While working on her dissertation, she got word of an opportunity to teach at Olivet. McLaughlin had always wanted to go into teaching, so she applied.
A professor for video production had opened up because of Professor Mark Bishop’s decision to leave Olivet. She ended up coming to Olivet for an interview. During her first trip to Olivet, she met a handful of students and meeting the students made McLaughlin realize she wanted to teach at Olivet. One of the students she met was Professor Ashley Sarver.
She would meet with the then chair, Dr. Jay Martinson, and would be given the job.
While working at Olivet, Dr. McLaughlin’s love for teaching has grown exponentially.
“When what I teach clicks with a student, or when they apply it, is so rewarding,” she said.
Not only does McLaughlin love teaching but she is good at it. One reason she attributes to her abilities as a professor is that students require her to stay up to date on the latest technologies, stories, and ideas in multimedia.
Her talents as a professor would help McLaughlin become chair.
After COVID-19 caused a shutdown at Olivet, the school put a greater emphasis on online learning. Therefore, Martinson moved from chair of communication to the dean of online learning. This naturally would leave a major hole in the comm department.
After meeting with Dr. Lowe, Olivet’s vice president of academic affairs, McLaughlin was chosen for position of chair.
After a year in the position, McLaughlin is happy with her new role, and the other professors in the comm department are too.
A fellow professor, Dr. Beth Patrick-Trippel, was teaching in the communication department when McLaughlin applied. She said, “I remember looking at her application and just thinking the this is the person if we can get her.”
Professor Ashley Sarver was a student at Olivet when McLaughlin joined Olivet. Sarver said, “I never had her as a professor, but I still see Dr. McLaughlin as a mentor.”
Professor Mark Bishop, whom McLaughlin was hired to replace, soon returned to Olivet and has worked with her for nearly half a decade. When speaking about his coworker, Bishop said, “I really appreciate Dr. McLaughlin, because I feel like she has a phenomenal work ethic.”
While McLaughlin’s new role may be difficult at times. It is safe to say that the faculty and the communication students are more than satisfied with what she has done so far and will continue to support her in this new role.
