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Dustin Cook is a fourth year PhD student studying Civil Engineering. His research focuses on risk assessment methods pertaining to the seismic performance of buildings and their post-disaster functionality. Dustin was recently awarded a Teaching Excellence Award based on his teaching philosophy and dedication to his students. We asked Dustin a few questions to learn more about him as a teacher and get to know him better. Read more below!

What is your favorite part about teaching?

I find the learning experience to be filled with both struggle and breakthroughs. My favorite part of teaching is when I get to help a student push through the struggle and be part of that breakthrough "ah-ha" moment, where the topic and subject matter takes on a whole new light.

Please tell us a little bit about your pedagogical philosophy.

I believe the most effective teaching style is one that embraces the role of advisor and mentor to the students. Having an approachable style and encouraging one-on-one communication helps students to ask question they otherwise might not ask, and engage students who might normally feel marginalized.

Do you have any recommendations for continuing or increasing student advocacy and engagement?

I always try to religiously encourage students to come to office hours. I think communicating to students that office hours are for everyone and not just for those who are struggling, helps to break down the stigma of office hours. In my early undergraduate experience, I always thought that I didn't need office hours because I wasn't failing any classes. However, one professor would always tell us how office ours were a resource that we all could take an advantage of and not just a crutch. So I started going to office hours regularly, and it completely changed my learning experience and allowed me to engage with the material in a whole new way.

Tell us a fun fact about you that is not related to your teaching and research.

I originally started as a music major and somehow ended up in Civil Engineering.