There's a new professor on campus who has brought a little piece of Italy with her to the Plains.
Originally from Naples, Italy, Guiseppina De Masi, professor of elementary Italian and introduction to Italian culture in English, graduated in Rome with a degree in political science.
Her specialty is in radio, television and film in the department of communication. She obtained her Ph. D. from the University of California in Los Angeles.
Before moving to the Plains, De Masi worked as director of the Italian language department at the University of Indiana in Bloomington. She was in charge of lectures for the department, as well as 24 graduate teaching assistants.
"I was ready to move on," De Masi said. "Auburn University came across my attention because of its mission statement. The part that says the University is interested in traditional and nontraditional students fascinated me."
She said she appreciates how diligently Auburn works to better its community.
"It was a completely new experience to come work in a department with so many languages within it," De Masi said. "I have always taught in an Italian department. I love having so much diversity in this department."
De Masi said she has grasped the Southern hospitality she heard about before moving to Dixie.
"Everyone here is so nice, De Masi said. "They welcomed me right away. It reminds me of when I lived in southern Italy."
The feeling that students are genuinely interested in their classes is also apparent to De Masi.
"My first goal is to teach my students a structure and method to studying," De Masi said. "That way they can excel always. I also try to always be passionate in my classes. If my students see how excited I am, they will get excited about the class, too."
She often thinks back on her collegiate experience to develop efficient teaching methods .
"Now, this is very Italian, but I personally believe that if they do not feel you, and if they only see you without establishing a connection, the students will not learn," De Masi said.
Her students appreciate her engaging teaching style.
"Professor De Masi doesn't just sit at the front of the classroom and lecture us," said Jordan Brown, sophomore in pre-medicine. "She gets really involved. She encourages us to learn from one another and only speak Italian during class. It's hard, especially since we just started, but it's worth it."
Reaching her students is important to De Masi.
"I want these students to understand that I am there for them," De Masi said. "This is true, and it is not a fake thing because I love what I do."
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