Celebrating the distinguished careers of beloved faculty who are retiring from the classroom may be bittersweet, but recognizing this milestone means entering a new chapter in life. Senior Instructor, Shari Hodgson. Hodgson has had a long and fruitful career; 34 years at UCF to be exact. Before leaving UCF, I had the opportunity to ask Hodgson a few questions in hopes of gaining a small piece of her wisdom.
What inspired you to go into the field of communication?
“I had finished two years at Florida State University when my husband was drafted into the Marine Corp during the Viet Nam war. After 8 years and two babies later, I decided to return to finish my Psychology degree. I enrolled in a class called “Interpersonal Communication.” The content changed my life. I loved and learned more about human nature and how to communicate effectively than in any of my phycology classes and immediately changed to the Communication major.”
How long have you been working at UCF?
“I began as an adjunct for nine years teaching a 4/4 class load. In 2003, I applied for the “Instructor” level and over the years was promoted to Associate and Senior Instructor levels. With gratitude and a full heart, I reluctantly retired after 34 years. I will always be a Nicholson family member.”
What was your favorite (or most memorable) memory of your career at UCF, and why?
“I have had so many amazing happenings with my public speaking classes such as teaching and advising students, interacting with faculty during trainings and conferences, supported by generous staff, gave service on committees and loved the awards I received. However, I remember a student that was so terrified of public speaking that she wanted to quit. I convinced her to stay and during her first speech, she froze, started and stopped numerous times and quickly became distraught. I suggested that she turn her back to the audience and start again. She agreed and miracles began. She finished the speech, and all other speeches, and she received an excellent grade in the class. With new self-confidence, she transferred to Nicholson and graduated with a Broadcast Journalism degree.”
What has been the most challenging part of your career, and why?
“Because of the personal nature of the public speaking class experience, I observed the metamorphosis of students and their transformation into new self-confident people. During this time, I became their devoted cheerleader! The difficulty was that every three months, I say goodbye, and wish success for these newly evolved humans.”
What has changed about communication since your time starting?
“The changes are too numerous to list; however, I would say the advances in technology and how these changes have affected the way we communicate.”
What advice would you give to aspiring, young communication and media experts?
“My advice would be for students to become life-long learners whose purpose is to create systems that are dedicated to ensuring quality lives for all mankind.”
What will you miss most at UCF?
“I will miss the energy, dedication, and purpose of a diverse body of people, which are committed to the wellbeing of themselves to make the world a better place to live.”
What are your plans for retirement?
“My personal mission statement is, “I will empower myself and others to celebrate our responsibility for shift human consciousness to God consciousness for the purpose of creating universal oneness.” I will be dedicated to generating opportunities that actualize the above mission statement and purpose.”
Written by Majdulina Hamed.
Published to Nicholson News on September 3rd, 2024.
If you have any news, accomplishments or highlights about your work or life, please be sure to share them with us, by emailing us at NicholsonNews@ucf.edu.