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Faculty Spotlight - Kelly Norris Martin

For Kelly Norris Martin, the decision to teach at RIT was influenced by a number of factors, including a distinguished former professor at the university. Those influences have also played a role in Martin being the recipient of the 2012-2013 Richard and Virginia Eisenhart Provost's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Martin, an Assistant Professor of  Communication, took a national approach to the job search after receiving her Ph.D. in Communication, Rhetoric and Digital Media from North Carolina State University. The unique doctorate program she had finished inspired her to look for schools that would support her diverse interests. RIT turned out to be an excellent match.

" RIT was one of the few positions where I could do a combination of things," said Martin. "This school has such a history of its connection to its visual culture and crafting culture."

The interview process gave Martin her first opportunity to interact with faculty and staff at the college and the experience was overwhelmingly positive.

"The students here were more interactive and much more excited about the material [in the guest lecture]," said Martin. "The faculty I met were so open to interdisciplinary thinking and project-based work."

Before coming to campus, Martin had already taken an academic interest in RIT.

" When I was at NC State, my dissertation was on visual research methods and visual communications," said Martin. "Someone that I wrote about was Diane Hope. I wrote about her work all the time."

Hope, who served as the Caroline Werner Gannett professor, was a founding member of the Department of Communication in COLA. Martin had written a published book review of one of Hope's books, which came up during the interview process.

"They thought it was interesting that I knew the piece and her work," said Martin. "I got to meet her when I came here and that was a really wonderful experience."

The impact of Hope's work is seen in Martin's teaching today, a way of carrying on Hope's legacy at a college to which she contributed so much.

"I wish I could have spent more time with her," said Martin. "One of the things I do now, where students in my visual communication class look at art and architecture at RIT is an activity she did with her students."

When Martin's selection as the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award was announced, she used the photo opportunity as yet another tribute to Hope. When given the choice of location, she decided upon a very particular place on campus.

"I chose the Albers paintings in the front entrance of the Eastman building," said Martin, referring to the large 18' x 18' paintings that flank the entryway. "That was all inspired by Diane Hope."

While Martin's enormous respect for Hope's work has certainly influenced her career and teaching, receiving the Excellence in Teaching Award has been a confidence boost for more innovative classes and teaching methods. Martin prefers project-based classes with real-world applications of classroom principles.

"When you're doing projects, mistakes happen," said Martin. "I wish all new faculty could get this award because...it makes me want to take new risks."

The atmosphere in COLA is a big reason that Martin has felt comfortable pushing her boundaries as a professor.

"I've worked at other universities where the teaching just isn't as important," said Martin. "Here, every professor I talk to is trying to challenge their students with something different."

With a positive environment and reaffirmed confidence in her teaching style, Martin is ready to keep finding new ways to engage and challenge students.

"I'm excited now to continue because enough people appreciate the way I teach that I want to keep doing it," said Martin.