Karen Dickerson (pictured above) has been an adjunct communication professor at Geneseo since 2015. She faced many challenges as an undergraduate student, which ultimately led her to change her career path from English to communication (Josie Kwan/assoc. photo editor).
With a presence on three different college campuses, all while juggling a family and struggling with a learning disability, communication professor Karen Dickerson proves to be a unique member of the Geneseo faculty.
Dickerson has been an adjunct professor at Geneseo since 2015. She teaches two classes including Conflict, Negotiation and Mediation and Business Communications. She also teaches Public Speaking—a subject that truly fascinates her—at Monroe Community College.
“I just love making public speaking fun and enjoyable, since it’s so important in not only being a communication major, but any major at that,” Dickerson said.
Prior to her life in academia, Dickerson studied at a strict, religious undergraduate university whose name she chose not to disclose. She had no say in what undergraduate program to pursue; her family did.
Dickerson did commend her given institution for providing her with a sufficient education, but she saw that her school censored her socially and idealistically.
“I truly envy … Geneseo students where such a liberal arts college provides you with a voice and the ability to think, where my school sort of robbed me of mine,” Dickerson said.
Dickerson applauds Geneseo for letting students have a voice and providing them with proper mediums to speak out against certain political, social or ideological problems plaguing our world.
Dickerson explained that while pursuing her undergraduate degree, she served as a pioneer her senior year and chose to speak out against her institution which was extremely frowned upon. Dickerson and her friends involved were all threatened with expulsion and she was the only one who didn’t actually get expelled. Unfortunately, she was still silenced by the institution’s uniforms.
Another fascinating aspect of Dickerson is that she has managed dyslexia. This affliction certainly created obstacles for her throughout her academic career. She was originally an English double major, but unfortunately, her dyslexia hindered her from passing an important course and it forced her to choose a new path.
“I got to college and realized there were no services or extra assistance to help me and my learning disability where I depended on my friends to help me comprehend basic notes and lectures,” Dickerson said.
Dickerson then faced the facts and realized that her efforts would be more appreciated in the communication realm. She focused on an emphasis in oral interpretation due to difficulties with the written word.
Dickerson is clearly a fascinating and admirable woman. She proves that she can spin several plates at once with her career at full speed, her sometimes treacherous daily commute, her learning disability and her family to look after. Her perseverance through her youth and her career journey is truly commendable.