Cindee Giffen

...getting to know my students! The small CSP section size lets me develop close relationships with many students each semester. The small course size also helps students get to know one another, and we become a tight-knit community. I love to hear from former students; I enjoy going to events they participate in with student organizations and hearing about summer research programs or graduate school applications.

...to have lots of opportunity to ask questions, and to practice applying the content to new scenarios. So that we can spend our valuable class time on challenging problems, students need to come to class prepared by completing  pre-class assignments. We also work a lot on developing quantitative skills, using model-based reasoning, and interpreting scientific data and results.

...to try new things while you are in college! I think a key aspect of the college experience is to explore career paths and fields of study. You need to try lots of new things until you find what you are motivated to pursue. I know it seems like everyone around you already has it all figured out - they don’t. Many students talk with me about how to chart their course from college to graduate school to a career. Everyone has a unique path, with different challenges that pop up along the way. Enjoy the ride!

...enjoy hiking, cycling, birdwatching, and tending my native plant gardens. I’m an avid fiction reader and enjoy cooking and baking all different kinds of foods, from sushi to curry. I love live music and campfire sing-alongs, complete with toasted marshmallows and star gazing.