Theatre professor Jennifer Engler, photo by Amy Peterson
Associate professor of theatre Jennifer Engler is another example of making that promise work on a day-to-day basis. In her nine years at the University, she says she has come to understand that TCU is “a very engaging and genuine place.” Observing that the theatre profession can be a “very cutthroat, kind’ve destructive field,” Jennifer notes that, combined with a tendency of young people to be self-deprecating, causes her to focus on providing a safe environment for students to take risks in the classrooms where she teaches acting, directing and movement.
“I invite them to epically fail,” she says with a laugh. “The students are very aware when something they’re doing is not working. By the time there’s a paying audience, they have it worked out.” She also notes that the small class environment allows faculty to be very aware when students are struggling or have a need.
If you would like to submit names of faculty and/or staff who exemplify the TCU Promise, please e-mail s.record@tcu.edu and include a brief description of that person’s contributions. Here are the elements of the TCU Promise:
The TCU Promise is a reciprocal commitment to excellence through discovery and achievement that unites the TCU community.
TCU faculty and staff commit to providing:
Relevant and challenging curricula
Energetic and innovative learning opportunities
An invigorating social milieu
Practicing high standards of personal behavior while engaging in intellectual curiosity and active learning
The University commits to:
Nurturing a safe and diverse environment that is committed to:
The free exchange of ideas
The discovery and dissemination of knowledge
The encouragement and recognition of creative and scholarly distinction
By upholding the TCU Promise, faculty, staff and students ultimately create a unique environment on campus and it's what we like to call the TCU Experience.
