The University of Washington's Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering celebrates National National First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8, 2024.
Tyler Fox
Associate Teaching Professor
"I truly believe education changes lives. It changed mine, and I hope in some small way, I contribute to positive change in the lives of my students."
How does your first-gen experience inspire or impact your approach to teaching, research, and connection to students?
When I first arrived at the UW (I went here as an undergraduate!) I found it overwhelming at first. I didn't even know what people meant when they said office hours! My own experiences were helped by faculty and mentors excited to be in the classroom. I try to channel that same energy when I teach. I try my best to be a passionate educator, and to connect to students in whatever ways that I can.
I felt very fortunate to be in college after spending four years in the army. I feel even more fortunate to be faculty! I try to channel this every time I walk into a class to teach (which I'm about to do right now). I truly believe education changes lives. It changed mine, and I hope in some small way, I contribute to positive change in the lives of my students.