Office Hours

Jon Zmikly came to Texas State as a grad student in 2007 planning to chase a TV news career — then a candid conversation changed his path entirely. Now a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Jon talks with Kolby about live-tweeting a bomb threat as a grad student, getting disqualified from a polka contest, and how he teaches students to code, build apps, and navigate AI with "cautious optimism" — always keeping the human element at the center of storytelling.

In this episode of Office Hours, Kaison Ward sits down with Texas State history associate professor and African American Studies coordinator Dr. Dwonna Goldstone to discuss her journey from aspiring doctor to historian, the mentors who helped shape her career, and the experiences that led her to African American Studies. Together, they explore the importance of Black history education, building community on campus, the impact of mentorship, and why professors genuinely want to see their students succeed from their first semester through graduation.

Andrea sits down with Dr. Christian Hines to talk about her journey from high school English teacher to professor at Texas State. She shares how her love for storytelling, anime, and comics shaped her teaching and research, and how she uses pop culture to connect with students and make learning more engaging. Dr. Hines also reflects on representation in media, building community in the classroom, and how students can turn their personal interests into meaningful academic and career paths.

In this episode of Office Hours, Tamara Johnson shares how her journey as a first-generation college student shaped her path to becoming a professional artist. From studying at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to building a career in sculpture and large-scale public art, she reflects on the challenges and rewards of forging her own creative path.Tamara discusses how her background influences both her artistic practice and her teaching, and she gives insight into her work with the Committee on Public Art (COPA) and the many public art projects she has contributed to. Plus, she previews Fab Friday — a hands-on event open to the TXST community where anyone can try their hand at sculpting.

In this episode of Office Hours, Dr. Carlton J. Fong, educational psychologist and faculty member in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Texas State University, shares how his journey from studying cognitive science at UC Berkeley to earning his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at UT Austin shaped his passion for understanding how students learn, stay motivated, and succeed. He reflects on his own college experiences, the mentors who helped guide his path, and the personal moments that pushed him toward researching student motivation and belonging.Dr. Fong also dives into his work on self-regulation, help-seeking, and student agency, including what his research reveals about what actually helps students thrive in college. He discusses his NIH-funded project in STEM education, the importance of empowering students to take ownership of their learning, and why feeling like you belong can make all the difference. His story offers a thoughtful look at mentorship, research with real-world impact, and how understanding yourself as a learner can change your entire college experience.