60 Seconds with Dr. Hester: Top Debate Coach and eCore COMM Instructor

You are known as one of America's top debate coaches, and have led the University of West Georgia to multiple national championships. You were also consistently ranked as a top 10 debater nationally when you were in college. Briefly tell us how to win an argument.

You must first understand who you are trying to convince, determine what kinds of evidence they find persuasive, and what their most likely objections to your position are.

Most Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me . . . in the GA Dome, watching the Atlanta Falcons, Rise Up!

What was the last movie that made you cry? The Big Lebowski, when Donny dies.

Describe the most interesting online student you ever had. No one student stands out; rather, the composite profile of the non-traditional student always interests me. Their willingness to not only return to college, courageous in and of itself, but engage in online learning is something I admire and find remarkable.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? President of the United States.

What are two things most people don't know about you? I am an ordained minister; my karaoke version of "Purple Rain" brings down the house.

You travel all over the country to debate tournaments? Where's your favorite place? The Bay Area - San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley - has it all.

The most used appliance in my house is : Blender.

The definition of success is: Recognizing one's full potential.

Comments

eMajor Gave Me a Second Chance: One Student’s Journey to Earning Her Bachelor’s

After taking a break from college, Saucony Hunt learned about affordable, online degrees through the University System of Georgia’s eMajor program. Hunt was 12 years into her career when she became increasingly aware that she needed to complete a bachelor’s degree to continue to advance. Hunt initially enrolled in college right after high school, but reflects that she was “not prepared or focused enough to complete a degree at that time.” While she has no regrets about joining the workforce, she began looking for educational opportunities when she approached the midpoint of her career. Now she’s enrolled at East Georgia State College completing her degree in Organizational Leadership fully online through the USG eMajor Program , This program offers a flexible route that allows students in many career paths to tailor their learning and possibly receive credit for demonstration of learning achieved during past work or military experiences. What drew Saucony to eMajor was the unparallel...

Spring Semester: Overcoming the January Blues

Spring semester often presents with the excitement of New Year’s Resolutions, new classes and the knowledge that spring break is just a few weeks away. However, it also brings a sense of sadness for many students as December holiday activities have concluded and the days are short. For online students, these feelings of general sadness can be even more pronounced if the student is isolated. Fewer people are outdoors during the cold days of winter and social activities have likely slowed down. Following are a few tips for feeling your best as the semester unfolds. Know that you aren’t alone. The January Blues and the February Slump are well recognized. If you have these feelings, embrace them and understand that occasional blues are normal. Get outdoors . As an online student, it’s very important that you are intentional about spending time in the sunlight. Some believe that the January blues are caused in part by the lack of sunlight (as compared to summer months). Take time for daily...

Online Students Giving Back: Volunteer Opportunities in Georgia During the Holidays

As we move into the final weeks of class and into the holidays, many online students look for opportunities to reconnect in person and make a community impact. The holiday break is an excellent time to engage in volunteer opportunities that can boost resumes and provide personal fulfilment. If you are working through the holidays or struggling to balance it all, consider starting small. Even a donation or a call to an elderly visit or friend is a powerful start. And as an online student, you have likely developed unique skills that can make you effective in both virtual and in-person community endeavors. Following are a few ideas for holiday volunteer work in Georgia: Ring the Bell. You can become a holiday Salvation Bell Ringer and help raise funds for disaster relief, homeless shelters, and anti-human trafficking efforts. You can sign up for as little as a two-hour shift in your local area. Share the Feast. The Big Gobble (Columbus, LaGrange, and Albany) is one of many organiz...

Planet eCampus

Search This Blog