In a research university setting, the importance of teaching could fade into the background. Lecturer Stacey Mobley’s inner drive will not allow that to happen in his academic career. The Department of Nutritional Sciences faculty member works year-round to keep teaching in focus because he says, “I was born to teach.” High scores on his evaluations seem to back that up.
Because “teaching college students is a privilege” for him, Mobley says he wants to take on as many classes as possible. His enthusiasm is evident as he accommodates up to seven classes, which attract from eight to 120 graduate or undergraduate students.
Mobley’s interest in those he teaches continues outside the classroom, as well, when many students stop by his office in the Jones building to ask for help or advice. “They call me ‘coach’,” he said, “especially when motivation lags near the end of the semester.”
“Dr. Mobley always made time to meet with students and go over any concerns we had. He wants students to do well and to learn, and he tailors the way he teaches to each student, which makes him an amazing and extremely dedicated professor,” said Kristen DeVitto, a May 2017 nutritional sciences graduate who said she has been in all of Mobley’s classes.
