#1 Know Your Professor with Zhyryn
Welcome to the very first edition of Know Your Professor With Zhyryn, a new weekly feature of The Cadre! Each week, we’ll shine a spotlight on a different professor from each faculty across campus, giving students a chance to learn more about the people behind the lectures. From their academic journeys to their teaching philosophies, and even their hobbies outside of class, this series is all about building stronger connections between students and faculty.
This week’s feature takes us to the Faculty of Arts, where I had the chance to sit down with Professor Tom MacDonald, a sessional instructor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Professor Tom currently teaches Introduction to Sociology (SOC1010), a course many first-year students encounter early in their university journey.
Originally from Prince Edward Island, Professor MacDonald grew up with a love for learning and an eagerness to share knowledge with others. “From a young age, I really found that I enjoyed sharing the things I was learning with the people around me,” he said. That inclination first led him to consider a career teaching high school. When he began his studies at St. Thomas University in 2011, he explored history and political science with that goal in mind. But during his time there, he discovered anthropology and became fascinated by the study of culture. That spark shifted his focus toward higher education and ultimately guided him to university teaching.
For Professor Tom, the most rewarding part of teaching comes when students connect academic concepts with their everyday lives. “I really try to emphasize the ways in which learning theory, though it makes it dry at times, is really a way of reshaping how we think about the world,” he explained.
Engagement is at the core of his teaching style. In SOC1010, he frequently incorporates short discussion activities, such as think-pair-share, to encourage students to process and debate ideas together. “I think that developing those spaces where students can feel comfortable talking to each other, asking questions earnestly, and approaching learning with curiosity goes a long way,” he said. For him, the classroom is a collaborative space where students should not just memorize material but actively think with it.
Outside of teaching, Professor Tom shared his hobbies that might surprise his students. Alongside his interest in digital culture, he enjoys working on vintage cars. “Some folks might see me around in a classic car that I try to keep on the road as best as I can,” he said with a smile. Tinkering with cars and bikes is one of his favorite ways to spend time away from campus.
Getting to know professors like Professor Tom reminds us that teaching is both a professional calling and a personal passion. To dive into more details about Professor Tom, make sure to check his Biography at the official UPEI IslandScholar Robertson Library website.
