As part of a campus initiative to highlight the experiences and insights of our faculty, I had the opportunity to interview Prof. Kristine Walker-Fraser, a dedicated educator with more than 12 years of teaching experience. Her passion for communication, student growth, and real-world skill development shines through in each part of her story.
Prof. Walker-Fraser has spent over a decade teaching in the field of communication. Even though she primarily teaches Communication Skills, she expressed to me that one of her favorite courses to teach is Interpersonal Communication, explaining that it allows her to “help students understand themselves and others more deeply while gaining tools they can use in both personal and professional settings.”
When asked about what she loves most about teaching, she spoke warmly about witnessing student progress. “One of my favorite things about teaching is engaging with students and seeing their growth; how they put together a presentation and how they communicate with me and others,” she said. Helping students grasp skills such as public speaking, critical thinking and conflict management, she finds especially rewarding. Teaching, she emphasized, is not just about delivering academic content but about “helping students develop practical skills for success in their lives and in their careers.”
But like many educators, Prof. Walker-Fraser faces several challenges. She stated that one of the most difficult parts of teaching is maintaining student engagement and participation, the long hours that come with the grading, the lack of effective communication with and from students, and experiencing different learning preferences and difficulties, just to name a few. But despite these challenges, she still finds rewarding and fulfilling moments in her career. One of her most memorable classroom experiences came early in her teaching career. During a group presentation assignment, she unknowingly paired two students who later fell in love and eventually married. The couple still reaches out to thank her for bringing them together. “A heartwarming outcome,” as she described it.
Prof. Walker-Fraser completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at Andrews University, earning a bachelor’s in international language for trade and a master’s in communication studies. When asked about what advice she would offer students entering the field, she encouraged them to focus on strengthening their communication skills. “Develop both verbal and nonverbal skills through active listening, asking open-ended questions and practicing empathy,” she advised. She also highlighted the importance of building a strong professional network, staying connected with mentors and peers and remaining curious. Lastly, she urges students to seek practical experiences and “practice communication daily.”
Prof. Walker-Fraser’s insight and dedication highlight the essential role that communication plays in academic success, professional growth and everyday life. Her passion for teaching and her encouragement for students to stay curious and engaged continue to inspire those who enter her classroom.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.