Faculty Spotlight

Chemistry and Geology Professor 

Suki Smaglik

Suki, who's been teaching at CWC since 2000, chose to work at a community college because of the close interaction she gets to have with her students. "I especially enjoy getting to know students on a personal level."

She said her students get graduate-level experience as undergraduates, which is unlike the practice their peers get at larger institutions.

At five of the last seven annual meetings of the Geological Society of America, Suki has given presentations on her research and the research of her students.

"I teach chemistry using a guided inquiry approach that lets students learn chemical principles in a real world context," she says. "All of my geology classes include an exciting field trip. Geology classes emphasize hands-on learning."

An outdoor woman, Suki worked with the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, conducting field work in Wyoming, California and Alaska. She also taught at community colleges while in graduate school. Her master's degree is from the Colorado School of Mines and her doctoral studies were conducted at the University of Hawaii.

Suki is the advisor for Sigma Magma Epsilon, the Science, Math and Engineering Club on campus. She is also a Girl Scout leader.