Humanities and Communication
Ellen Waddell
Ellen Waddell graduated from CSUMB May 1998, then earned her Master of Arts in Speech Communication in December 1999 from San Jose State University. She returned full time to the field of Human Resource Management working for a not-for-profit agency. Her knowledge of computer technology helped her to create new systems and methods of managing the Human Resource office.
In 2001, Ellen added teaching part time for Gavilan College in Gilroy CA to her schedule, and shortly thereafter Hartnell College in Salinas CA. Finding that she loved teaching, Ellen changed fields entirely, and became a High School English and Speech instructor along with the college courses she continued to teach. Service learning has become an integrated part of how she teaches students to work in a team environment.
Today, she is focused on teaching at Gavilan College, and operating her tutoring business in the tri-county area. “HCOM provided me with the needed foundation about communication and intercultural applications," Ellen recalls, "My service learning project taught me the value of helping others achieve their goals. I left a better-rounded individual with an improved perspective about those different from myself. CSUMB equipped me to work in the emerging digital environment, and allowed me to hone the skills I would need. “