Email Communication
If you’re in one of my classes, this is my preferred email communication style.:
- Dr. Pennell,
- I’m X [name you use in class]…
- …in Y class (or what class you’ve had with me if it’s been awhile).
- [Insert question/ issue/ proposed solution here]
If you’re not in a class with me, the same rules apply to email. Brief and polite is best. I can sometimes speak to student groups as my schedule allows, but that is usually during regular business hours. I also need a few weeks notice and a clear idea of what you need.
Safe Zone
Due to the ongoing pandemic, I do not currently have any Safe Zone trainings scheduled. The CDI may decide to do trainings. As a general rule, I am not able to offer special Safe Zone trainings for individuals, departments, or student groups. I also cannot conduct Safe Zone trainings outside of the August-May academic year as I am off contract.
Need a Letter of Recommendation?
- If you’ve had a class with me and we had a good rapport, I’m very likely to say yes.
- There is no need to make an appointment to ask me to write a letter for you. Come to regularly scheduled office hours or simply send an email (preferred). Once I’ve said yes to writing a letter, I’ll need the following:
- I need at least 2 weeks notice. If your deadline is around finals week, I’ll need more time.
- If it has been several semesters since you were in my class, please remind me which class it was, and tell me a little about your work from class to refresh my memory.
- To write the best letter, I’ll need to know information about where you’re applying and a recent resume. Send links to any websites about the graduate school/ study abroad program/ scholarship/ etc. as applicable. If you’ve written a statement for your application, send that too.
- If you’re applying for multiple graduate schools, I’d like you to make me (and anyone else writing letters) a spreadsheet with the following information: name of school, name of program, brief description of program, link to website for program, link to submit letter or the email address and name of person it goes to, and the deadline. This will also help you keep track!
- Please let me know what you’d like me to emphasize in the letter. Your writing skills? Teaching experience? Interest in challenging experiences? Let me know what the place you’re applying to needs to know about you.
- Lastly, a thank you note after your letters are finished is good practice anytime you ask someone for help with an application. Handwritten notes are always a nice touch, though if that’s not possible an email is acceptable too. Let me know how your application went and what you’re going to be up to!