Staff Writer- Cora Hess

This week’s Gustie of the Week is Professor of Communication Studies, Patrica English-Schneider. Professor English-Schneider, who has been a member of the Gustavus community since 2001, is involved with several committees on campus. These include the Personnel Committee and the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, which recognizes excellent studies within the Communication Studies Major. 

“I came to Gustavus in 2001 and fell in love with the campus, students, and the community. I feel the same way at the beginning of each semester as I did that first year-excited to meet new students and colleagues,” Professor English-Schneider shared. 

One of the major things that drew Professor English-Schneider to pursue her line of work, as a Communication Studies Professor and professor in general, is the desire to widen her horizons. 

“I have always loved learning, and teaching allows me to learn different perspectives every day,” Professor English-Schneider exclaims. 

One of the other professors in her department, Professor of Communication Studies, Martin Lang, only has good things to say about Professor English-Schneider. He has worked with Professor English-Schneider for the last 21 years and shared how incredibly resilient his colleague is. 

“She has suffered some major challenges in her life, and she is the first to admit she struggles at times. But she has an optimistic streak that carries her through. She is also well-practiced in being present with her feelings to fully process them. This is a superpower, and I think she models this for the rest of us really well,” Professor Lang remarked.

While she’s not working at Gustavus during the summer, Professor English-Schneider loves to go on adventures around the world and explore the United States. 

“In the summer, my spouse, my dog, and I all go camping all over the country. I do like to travel and have lived in Japan and visited various places in Southeast Asia,” Professor English-Schneider shared. 

When she’s not on campus, she loves to do yoga as it helps her to ease her stress. She is also a fan of alternative country music. 

While being colleagues with Professor English-Schneider since 2005, Associate Professor and Chair of Communication Studies, Sarah Wolter, shared how Professor English-Schneider’s passion is seen through her teaching.

“The best part about Dr. English-Schneider is her enthusiasm for teaching and helping students succeed. She is an innovative professor who is always looking for new ways to connect theory to real-world issues,” Professor Wolter commented. 

Being a professor comes with knowing a lot of students and faculty members and Professor English-Schneider is beyond proud of the work she has done with all of those students. 

“I am most proud of all the work I have done with students. I still keep in touch with students who graduated in 2003!” Professor English-Schneider remarks. 

Not only does Professor English-Schneider teach, but she also builds experience. Professor Wolter shared an example of the new ways her colleague connects theories to real-world issues.

“For example, for the COM-377 Ethnography/Descriptive Organizational project, students select an organization with at least five employees and conduct in-depth research of the organization’s communication processes (e.g. team communication, leadership, conflict negotiation, networking) using qualitative research approaches (e.g. interviewing, observation, collecting artifacts) to describe the organization from a cultural perspective (e.g. values, beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, formal/informal communication). Recent examples of organizations for the project are the Minnesota Zoo, St. Peter Thrift Store, Mayo Clinic of Mankato, and the New Ulm Medical Center,” Professor Wolter shared. 

One of the students whom Professor English-Schneider is an advisor for is Junior Jenna Anderson. Anderson shared why she loves having Professor English-Schneider as an advisor.

“She is such a caring professor and advisor who genuinely wants her students to succeed in and out of the classroom. She also was the one who encouraged me to study abroad, which I’m so grateful for! My favorite thing about Patty is how she cares for her students on a personal level. She is easy to have conversations with, so kind, and always willing to go out of her way to help her students,” Anderson said.

Something special that Professor Lang shares about Professor English-Schneider is that she is always able to connect with students, faculty, and staff, no matter the topic that is presented.

“Patty has a wonderful curiosity about the people around her. She is always inquiring with folks about their favorite new food or TV show, whatever interesting thing they’re reading, or just what is happening in their lives. I think students really appreciate that they feel seen in her classes. I know I appreciate it as her colleague!” Professor Lang emphasized.

Through experiencing many campus activities and traditions in her years at Gustavus, Professor English-Schneider shared her favorite one. 

“My favorite campus ritual is commencement. To see how excited the students are to start a new chapter in their lives is truly inspiring,” Professor English-Schneider said. 

Another colleague of Professor English-Schneider’s is Assistant Professor of Biology, Katie Leehy. While being Professor Leehy’s faculty mentor, Professor English-Schneider has made a profound impact on her mentee. 

“Beyond her academic and scholarly mentorship, Patty is an excellent colleague and friend. She is the type of colleague who is there to help you celebrate your wins and offers a listening ear during challenges. She is great at helping others feel like they belong and is an amazing member of our community!” Professor Leehy shared. 

As new or first-year students are coming to college, Professor English-Schneider wanted to emphasize the importance of being open to life surrounding Gustavus. 

“I would tell a first-year student to keep an open mind and to try to do some perspective taking. I would also tell them not to take everything so seriously. Enjoy your time in college. For most of us, you only get one opportunity to be an undergraduate. Don’t take it for granted. It is a special time in your life,” Professor English-Schneider remarked. 

Professor Wolter and Professor Lang both shared something special about Professor English-Schneider that would have her talking for hours. 

“Fun fact: Patty lived in Japan and was part of a traveling bluegrass band called ‘The High Tone Rangers,’” Professor Wolter shared.

“If you want to really see her light up, ask her about singing in a bluegrass band in Japan! She has wonderful stories to share,” Professor Lang remarked.