What was your first job?
My first “job” was pet-sitting for neighbors going on vacation, which helped me learn how to handle strange requests from clients (e.g., “here’s how you need to cook steaks for my cat.”). My first “actual” job was working as a computer programmer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which helped me understand the importance of legacy programming languages for keeping the U.S. government running.
If you were to write a personal memoir, what would you name it?
Too many options; too little time.
Where did you grow up?
Champaign-Urbana, IL, where my father was a professor at the University of Illinois.
What is your favorite class you’ve taught?
I very much enjoy teaching our classes on usability and the user experience. It is so important that all our students (graduates and undergraduates alike) understand that information technologies only work when they are user-centered and iteratively designed with user feedback throughout.
What is your favorite place to grab dinner in Tallahassee?
It’s a toss-up between Clusters and Hops (their “Duck over Truffled Squash” is perhaps the best dish in town) and Avenue Eat and Drink (their “Burrata Mozzarella and Heirloom Tomato” salad is to die for!).
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Playing with our two sons, Evan (10) and John (6).
Have you always wanted to teach?
Yes.
What is your favorite place you’ve traveled to or where would you like to go?
Rock-climbing in the Jardins de Fontainebleau.
How many football games have you attended?
I haven’t attended a football game at FSU since November 11, 2006, when FSU was shut out by Wake Forest in the freezing rain, 30 to nothing.
Proudest career/life moment?
Building my academic career and creating two beautiful children with my colleague, wife, and life partner, Dr. Michelle Kazmer.
What’s your favorite band?
Rubber!
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Jack of all trades, master of none, is oft times better than master of one.
If money were no object, how would you spend your days?
Walking up to ATMs, and saying, “Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.”
What is your favorite book and why?
To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s the only book that I can re-read over and over, and still feel like I’m reading it for the first time.
If you could be famous for something, what would it be?
Wait a minute… what do you mean “could be” famous??
What Jeopardy category could you clear, no problem?
Roman Republican Historiography
Do you have any pets?
Yes, two cats – Pyewacket (12 years old) and Trixie (3 years old).
When did you start working at Florida State University?
August 8, 2002, which was when Dr. Kazmer and I started here as assistant professors in the School of Information Studies. We were promoted and tenured in 2007/2008 in the College of Information. And we were promoted to full professors in 2013/2014 in the School of Information. All without moving offices! 🙂
What was the last movie you saw in theaters?
Tiny Giants in IMAX 3D at the Challenger Center! Not only were there 40 foot tall chipmunks gathering acorns, but the fight to the death between the Kangaroo Mouse and the Giant Scorpion in the Arizona Sonora desert has to be seen to be believed!
What is the best part about your job?
The best thing about being a university professor is the options! You can take your career in any direction you want, limited only by your imagination!
’20 Questions with CCI’ brings faculty and staff from the College of Communication & Information into a new light. Learn more about your favorite professors – their hobbies, interests and favorite Tally places.
Do you know someone at CCI you’d like to see featured? Submit their names to kate.mullen@cci.fsu.edu.
