Karlene Curtin | Staff Writer

Going to office hours, getting to know professors and connecting with them is an important aspect of one’s college career. Meet Molly Mayhead, a professor of communication studies at Western Oregon University.

What was your original goals as an undergraduate student?  

I wanted to teach high school english and speech classes. From there, I wanted to coach the high school speech and debate teams.

Why did you choose to get a PhD?

I had a conversation with one of my advisors and mentors who was also my speech and communications professor. They told me that becoming a communications professor is something I probably would find more interesting and rewarding.  

Where did you go to college?

I went to Western Oregon University to receive my bachelors and then went on for my PhD at Penn State University.

Favorite class to teach?

Three classes: Argumentation, Freedom of Speech and Rhetoric of the Women’s Movement.

What were you like in college?

It is important to mention I was a first generation college student and came to Western on several scholarships. This made me very studious with my studies and also a nerd. I also lived and breathed competing on the speech and debate team.

Some fun facts:

Favorite color: Purple

Love: The Seattle Mariners

Favorite Animal: Dogs

Dream vacation: Anything on a beach, with clear blue water and drinks that have umbrellas.

Contact the author at kcurtin14@wou.edu

Photo by Caity Healy