Meet your faculty at Drew University

Chris Andrew, Associate Professor and Chair of Sociology

"After teaching for several years at a large state university, I knew I wanted to come to a school like Drew where the class sizes are smaller and allow for more one-on-one interaction with students. I also like getting to follow students' progress over their four years at Drew and seeing the impact of our collective work in and outside of the classroom. Research suggests that one of the key factors in determining whether a student has a positive college experience is whether they form a close connection with at least one faculty member, and Drew makes this much more possible with the faculty-to-student ratio in classes."

John Jordan, Academic Director

“A student’s own experience is a wonderful asset in the classroom. International students at Drew have a unique cultural perspective which can be applied to many classroom situations. In the writing classes at Drew, we ask the students to examine their own background, knowledge, and abilities. Our teachers are skilled at helping the students to learn the appropriate writing approach to succeed with their assignments. Student experience + Drew teachers = great success!”

Dr. Knowles, Professor of Biology and Neuroscience

“I became a neuroscientist because I love research, and I have been thrilled that in the past few years, INTO students have conducted research in my laboratory working on novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. These students participated in an 8-week summer research program [DSSI] in which they received free housing and a stipend to cover living expenses.

These immersive experiences are a hallmark of a Drew education, and it is personally rewarding to see the students gain the confidence to not only conduct sophisticated research, but also to interact socially with American students who were also doing research.”

Lisa Lynch, Associate Professor of Media and Communications

“In Media and Communications, international students contribute a unique understanding of how media systems work in places outside of the United States. Even as they learn about how the media works here, they challenge their classmates to understand that the way the media works in the US is sometimes pretty different than the way it works elsewhere.”

Keeley Thornton, ESL Instructor

“Working with international students really enhances the meaning of community for me. Continual dialogue and close partnerships are key to academic, professional and personal growth, and our global community accelerates this motion.

As an ESL instructor here at Drew, we are fortunate to have small classes so that we can all participate in this growth together. I act as a facilitator for my students. Sure, I’m here to help with academic writing and speaking skills, and I love exploring any grammar question students throw at me, but the real learning courses through the classroom.”

Max Orsini, Program Manager

"Drew is a liberal arts institution that helps its students and community members discover the beliefs, ideals and hopes that bind us together as human beings. Drew University is a place where students gain knowledge vital to their professions and are able to shape their futures. 'The Forest' is a rich and diverse ecosystem of learning."

Miao Chi, Associate Professor of Economics

"Feel free to talk to your professors and don’t be shy! When I was an international student myself in Wisconsin, I was always shy in class and reluctant to answer any questions. It seemed to me that my classmates knew all the answers and I shouldn’t say anything unless my answers were 100% correct. Professors here are very different: they value your opinion and feedback, and it really does not matter if your answers are correct or not. Learning is a process and nobody expects you to know all the answers in class."