A friend indeed

Students know Mike Sulzinski, PhD, as an excellent professor of microbiology and immunology. During COVID-19, they also came to know him as a friend indeed.

Dr. Sulzinski said he worried when students were suddenly thrust into an all-virtual environment. Initially, his concern was that prerecorded online lessons curtailed students’ ability to ask questions and interact directly with him. His response was to set up virtual “office hours” where he could work with students one on one.

Those office hours, for some students, suddenly became a lifeline. “I started to hear from students I never heard from before,” he said. “One student told me I was the only person they talked to each day. Others told me about the many distressing ways COVID-19 was affecting their families — with illnesses, job losses and even deaths.” Far from being reluctant to provide a shoulder to lean on, Dr. Sulzinski said he has always viewed his role as a teacher as being someone who does more than share knowledge. “I am here for my students... for all of it,” he said.

Although the virtual office hours proved vital to students just seeking human contact, Dr. Sulzinski’s other innovation — live review sessions before each exam — ensured academic support continued, as well.