Rich Kessel

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Rich Kessel

Affiliate Faculty

Honors Programs

Bio

I have been teaching at MSU Denver since 1997 and currently dedicate all of my time to teaching public speaking within the First Year Success program. Like most people, I thought I hated public speaking. Unable to reconcile my love of teaching and hatred of public speaking, I concluded that the traditional approach to teaching public speaking was wrong. Instead of teaching students to separate themselves from the audience, to stand unnaturally behind a podium and orate, I stress engaging audiences in a conversation, albeit one dominated by the speaker. My courses may be more work than others, but they are fun, lively, and rarely boring.



My research interests include the neuroscience of communication, the science of teaching and learning, and adjunctive visual communication (aka PowerPoint). By understanding how the brain processes messages, both verbal and written, I believe we can better package our communication to be successful in all aspects of life. Studying public speaking, I argue, enables you to truly see and appreciate the complexities of the communication process. Only by shining a light on the process, and breaking it down into its constituent parts, is it possible to make improvements.


An extreme introvert, I can usually be found at my desk writing something, behind my drum kit pretending to be a rock star, or working on cars.


Educational History


Ph.D., University of Denver, Human Communication Studies, 1996


M.A., University of Northern Colorado, Human Communication Theory, 1992


B.A., University of Oregon, Asian Studies: Chinese emphasis, 1989


Certificate, Normal College of Foreign Language, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 1986

Degree

PhD in Human Communication Studies

University of Denver

MA in Human Communication Theory

University of Northern Colorado

BA in Asian Studies

University of Oregon

Other in Chinese

Normal College of Foreign Language

Published Works

Research Interests

The Neuroscience of Communication


The Science of Teaching and Learning


Adjunctive Visual Communication (aka PowerPoint)


Automotive Structural Design using Carbon Fiber Composites

Teaching Interests

Learning = Effort x Opportunity


Professors don’t teach, students learn. That may sound like a lame teaching philosophy, but you only get out of a class what you put into it. Learning is a dynamic, biological process that literally changes your brain: think of your brain as a muscle that requires exercise to get stronger. Would you expect to get into shape sitting around a gym watching people workout? Learning is a contact sport and my job to provide you the equipment and opportunities necessary to play. What you do with that opportunity is up to you.

Office Hours

Mondays: 2:00-3:00
Tuesdays: 12:30-1:30
Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 & 2:00-3:00
Thursdays 12:30-1:30
By appointment