Rachel Droogsma understands what its like to be in the minority.
Droogsma earned both her master’s degree and Ph.D from Howard University, a historically black university. That experience significantly shaped her personal and professional interests. Now she is teaching intercultural and gender communication classes at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Dr. Droogsma, earned her undergraduate degree in speech at Northwestern University in Illinois. She then attended Howard University in Washington D.C. where she earned her master’s degree in gender Studies and her Ph.D in communication and culture. Droogsma came to Nebraska Wesleyan from her teaching position at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn.
Her experience at Howard University fired her enthusiasm to incorporate race into her classes.
Droogsma said she is looking forward to mentoring students and building relationships with both students and faculty. She said Nebraska Wesleyan’s emphasis on diversity, global citizenship, and service learning are a match for her own values. She plans to incorporate service learning into several of her courses. For example, her Gender and Communication course will work with Fresh Start Home on the upcoming community Homeless Connect Event.
“I hope the service learning will then lead to workshops, which will be determined by the students,” said Droogsma.
Droogsma is currently teaching intercultural communication, gender communication, and speech. She plans to emphasize the importance of communication across cultures.
“The students here are both engaged and enthusiastic,” Droogsma said of her first five weeks of classes. “I am looking forward to working with the Wesleyan community and enhancing the already strong Communication Studies Department.” said Dr. Droogsma.
Dr. Droogsma’s office is located on the third floor of Smith-Curits, office 330. She can be contacted at x2368 or via email at rdroogsm [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (rdroogsm[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu).