Donna Noll, professor of Humanities and Human Science, teaches her Intro to Mass Communication class. Photo by The Signal reporter Troylon Griffin II.

Newcomer Donna Noll arrives to warm reception

By Troylon Griffin II, Editor-in-Chief Last updated Oct 29, 2017 478 0

Professor Donna Noll is one of UHCL’s newest professors in the Human Sciences and Humanities Department. Noll’s specialty lies specifically in communication, having obtained a double undergraduate in journalism and corporate communication and her masters in organizational and interpersonal communication. Noll is currently an adjunct for the Introduction to Mass Communications (COMM 1307) course, and she also teaches one public speaking course.

Professor Noll teaches her Intro to Mass Communication class. Photo by The Signal reporter Troylon Griffin II

Noll admitted that she had always wanted to work at UHCL since she was a child and is quite familiar with both the campus and its history.

“When I was really small, my mom was working on her graduate degree here, and I was one of the children in the Lab school,” Noll revealed. “So when I was three and four, and she was working on her master’s degree, I would come and go to the school and she would go to class, so I’ve just always loved this campus. I feel like it’s just been a part of me since I was really little.”

Noll went to Clear Lake High School, and she recalled that she and her group of friends often used UHCL as a study ground and place to simply socialize.

Now, finally working at a campus that has been part of her childhood, Noll cannot stress the amount of excitement she has working here.

“I love this campus, and I really love the energy,” Noll proclaimed. “I think having it be a four-year institution instead of an upper-division institution has really energized it. It’s nice to see everyone bustling about. There’s just a really great energy buzzing around campus.”

Noll’s previous working experience included teaching public speaking at Purdue University and working for the food services company Aramark, particularly in business development and client relations.

Noll spoke on her love of teaching, saying it is something she is passionate about.

“I really like taking a wealth of information and conveying it to students in a way that makes them excited and eager to learn.” Noll said. “I think teaching is a gift honestly. I think you either love it or you don’t, and I love it.”

Noll took particular attention to her love of impacting students’ knowledge.

“It’s exciting for me to see a group of students come into class with no knowledge on the subject and watch them evolve as the semester goes on.” Noll said.

Noll stated that she has always had a passion for communication. She considers it one of the most versatile and important topics.

“Not only is communication a vital life skill, it’s a determining factor in so much of our professional success,” Noll said. “From your personal relationships to your professional relationships, you cannot function without effective communication, period.”

Noll revealed that in the two months she has been at UHCL, the thing she loves most about it is the people.

“I’ve been welcomed so warmly by everyone,” Noll said. “I look forward to coming into my office and interacting with the other adjunct officers. There are several of us in here and have such a great comradery, and it just kind of makes my day. It makes me feel really good to share that personal bond.”

Noll emphasizes her love for her students.

“They’ve been so receptive to the course material and so receptive to me as a teacher,” Noll said.

When she isn’t teaching, Noll enjoys spending time with her family. She has two kids, one five and the other 10.

“They’re both super active so I enjoy that and being the mom shuttle and mom taxi,” Noll joked.

She enjoys a variety of music and movies, as well as traveling and fishing. She stressed her love of music, admitting she finds it to be one of the best and simple forms of communication. She enjoys, ’80s and ’90s music including alt-rock bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots. She also listens to classic country artists such as Willie Nelson as well as contemporary Hip Hop artists such as Drake. She also adores “the late great Tom Petty.”

Overall, as Noll continues her new career at UHCL, she hopes for a bright future for both her and her students, and getting past the difficulty of Blackboard.

Noll’s students have been very receptive to her arrival, with most students having only positive comments about her.

“Mrs. Noll is the most enthusiastic teacher I’ve ever had,” said Hannah Wallace, one of Noll’s students. “Not only am I never bored in her class, but I am always in tune to her lectures because of how interesting they are. Mrs. Noll has to be one of my favorite professors at UHCL.”