We asked several CAHNRS Ambassadors, excellent students who love WSU and their college, to name their favorite professors. And now we’re featuring those nominated educators in this weekly series.
Today we’re showcasing Martin Maquivar, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. Here are his answers to a few questions:
How did you pick this as a career?
I studied for my Doctor in Veterinary Medicine in Mexico. While in my second semester I had my “click” moment, when I took a class with one of the most awarded teachers at the Vet School, Dr. Carlos Galina. I was exposed to cows! As part of my academic formation I had the opportunity to be his teaching assistant and get involved with instruction of his students. He helped me to develop my teaching style. Also during my graduate studies I was a teaching assistant for several classes that shaped my desire to have a career that blends teaching students and research. Finally, I had the opportunity to work and study with people from different parts of the world that invested their time in my training. Now I want to pay it forward.
What is your favorite thing about teaching college students?
There is a famous phrase that my teachers always said: I am happy if I can reach just one of you. I do not like that, I want to reach 99.9% of my students. I want them to find the “click” moment. That moment they realized… yes, this is for me; this is going to be my life.
I do not have enough words to show my appreciation to every professor that helped me and taught me something (even the bad things), because thanks to them I am here, doing something I love. I hope someday my students remember me the same way I remember my former teachers.
Becoming a good teacher is an arduous process that requires time, effort and the ability to learn from failures. What I love about college students is they teach me to be better at what I do.
Why do you love what you do?
Here at WSU I have the opportunity to do things that I love the most, work with cows, work with great people at the university and learn. Every day that I go to the classroom or to a lab is a new opportunity to learn something new, to make a difference and possibly change someone’s life—just as many teachers that I was lucky enough to work with changed mine. I love the idea that perhaps one of my students will be the next president of WSU or the next CEO of a big company or the discoverer of a new therapy to cure a disease.
If you could provide any tips or advice for your students, or WSU students in general, what would they be?
- Be responsible with your time, your mind, your body and your actions. While in school, reach your equilibrium, have fun with this phase of your life, learn from your actions and mistakes, and never stop learning. Seek help when something is wrong or you do not feel right, there are a lot of people that are standing by you.
- Go to class and be present—you never know when an amazing opportunity will arise. Be there and be ready. Commit yourself to your dreams, no matter what the outcome will be.
- You are here at WSU because you are building your future; create that strong future with good friends, family, knowledge; create the person/professional you want to be, now.
Any other words of wisdom you’d like to pass along?
As master Yoda says: “Still much to learn you have.”