Department of Communication adds new instructors

A new semester at Waynesburg University brings two new faces to the fourth floor of Buhl Hall. This spring 2023 semester, the department of communication received the addition of two new instructors.

“I’m really excited about both of these instructors” Richard Krause, the department of communication chairperson, said. “They both have a wealth of knowledge and experience related to the field.”

The department needed an instructor to take over the core communication course multimedia, as well as the advanced multimedia course.

“A contract offer had been made to a faculty member, but that faculty member could not teach in the spring,” Krause. “So as a result, we had to go out and in less than two weeks we had to find a new instructor.”

Courses had to be re-assigned, and professors had to start teaching a course overload to accommodate the number of courses within the communication department.

“We had to re-assign two more courses as well,” Krause said. “And that is where Rob Montini and Nathan Wadding come in.”

“I am good friends with Melinda [Roeder] and she knew I had this interest in multimedia, as well as I have my masters in multimedia,” Rob Montini, Waynesburg University instructor, said. “I’m a high school Latin teacher by trade, and I had mentioned to her that I kind of wanted to get into college and start teaching a class here or there and so [Melinda Skrbin] had given my number to Professor Krause and he gave me a call.”

Melinda Roeder is an instructor of communication at Waynesburg University.

Montini was brought into the department of communication to instruct the multimedia I course, which provides students with the skills to work in software programs that students may need to use in the professional field.

“I would like to give my students the skills they need for their other classes, I like to give a sampling of everything.” Montini, said. “You might not ever use what we do in class, but I want them to have the skills so if they ever encounter any other communication professionals out in the field, they can kind of talk the same language.”

“He has a passion for multimedia, and he brings an enthusiasm to the subject matter, he is very knowledgeable,” Krause said. “The students can learn a lot from him because he is really knowledgeable about multimedia and brings an energy to the classroom that is very needed, and I could just tell from our phone conversation that he cares about his students.”

Teaching only his first course at Waynesburg University, Montini has made good impressions in the department.

“I think he [Montini] is a great teacher.” Spencer Frattare, junior communication student in Rob Montini’s course, said. “He always comes to class with a lot of energy, and he always has something fun planned, and he makes class so good because it is something different every week.”

“They have a really good classroom dynamic, and they establish a really good rapport with their students,” Krause said. “I think they bring a new approach to the department which is always a very healthy thing.”

According to Krause, Montini has been made an offer to return in the fall.

“We were very fortunate given the staffing challenge that had occurred to get find two quality people like these two.” Krause. “I would say we have two faculty members who have a passion for the field and a depth of knowledge to offer something valuable to students and the ability to establish a positive rapport.”

“I will tell you adding Rob Montini and Nathan Wadding to this department has been an absolute blessing.” Krause said.