Meet Professor Coleman: (AKA Bob)

“The most rewarding part of teaching is having students who’ve graduated, come back and say that I made a difference in their lives, and how much they appreciate my emphasis on learning the basics and doing things the right way.”

The first thing to know about Professor Coleman is that you are on a first name basis starting from day one, the second thing to know is to shut down your computers.

Bob is a professor for the UMDCP Communication department right here at USG , he teaches classes including Digital Media, Strategic Message Design, Digital Imaging, Advanced Digital Imaging and Web Design. Bob has been teaching at USG for almost ten years,  and he  taught his first class in the Mac Lab when Building III first opened.

I asked Bob what his favorite class to teach is and why , to which he told me: “Probably my favorite class to teach is Web Design.  The field changes so quickly, it’s a challenge just to stay current. I like the challenge.”

Bob is one of the many teachers at USG with both educational and professional experience which makes him extremely qualified to teach.

A Montgomery County native , born in Silver Spring Maryland Bob attended The George Washington University of Washington D.C. where he received both his B.A. in Fine Arts (Printmaking) and M.F.A. in Visual Communications. An M.F.A. is a degree equal to a PhD in other fields, the visual and performing arts typically award an M.F.A. in place of a PhD.

Bob worked for the Federal government for 35 years as a graphic designer and art director, he then finished his career with the government in 2002. That’s when he first started teaching part-time, and then full-time in the Fine Arts Department (Visual Communications), at The George Washington University. Bob has also been a serious photographer working events like weddings, etc. He also exhibited his work,  attending art shows and fairs to sell his photographs.He even has his own photography website (which he made himself of course): http://www.bobcolemanphotography.com

Bob makes his own Course Packets for each of his classes, where he details all the steps that need to be taken when starting a project. His classes are very hands on and personalized which you can tell after just a glimpse into one of his course packets.

When I asked him what he thought the most rewarding part about teaching at USG is, he responded: “The most rewarding part of teaching is having students who’ve graduated, come back and say that I made a difference in their lives, and how much they appreciate my emphasis on learning the basics and doing things the  right way.”

Bob is just one of many teachers who make the unique experience at USG worthwhile, the professors here are not just your teachers but your mentors and your friends. They are caring professionals who help shape our students into becoming the successful and confident individuals in the workforce that our alumni are today.