UNCP ‘magic’ for new professor

By Laura Minnino
Senior Staff Writer

Dr. Dandan Liu’s long journey from China has brought her all the way to the Mass Communications Department this fall.

The energetic 30-year-old’s perspective on teaching is refreshing. “I try to keep my classes lively by avoiding dry lectures,” Dr. Liu said, “I like to learn along with the students.”

Photo by Marty Anderson Dr. Dandan Liu.

Liu earned a bachelor of arts in English at Harbin Engineering University in her hometown of Harbin, China. She earned a master of arts in linguistics at Jilin Institute of Technology in Changchun, China.

“I taught for two and a half years in China as a college English teacher, but my interests in intercultural communication and desire to earn a higher degree brought me from China to the U.S.” she said.

That desire took Liu to Philadelphia, Pa., where she earned a Ph.D. from Temple University.

“I taught for three and a half years three as a teaching assistant and adjunct faculty,” Liu said.

After five years there, Liu was ready to find a university to call home. When she interviewed at UNCP, she said she knew immediately it was the right place.

Dr. Liu is attracted to small class sizes because she can interact closely with her students. That is essential in teaching, she said.

“Up North, it’s so urban. When I came to the South, I enjoyed the slower pace of life,” Liu said. “The people are much nicer and a lot more patient.

There’s nothing she loves more than to hear a student’s brilliant answer to a question she has asked. “Teaching is really my passion,” she said with a smile. “It makes me happy.”

Dr. Liu hopes what she’s learned through her education can help students.

“By recalling my experiences, I can help the students by putting myself into their shoes,” she said.

Liu enjoys sports. She played volleyball while in graduate school.

Dr. Liu said The Pine Needle newspaper is helping her learn more about the school and community.

Excited about her future at Pembroke, she says she loves what she is doing.

“This place is magic,” Liu said. “It makes me so happy. I get out of bed every morning and I look forward to coming here.”

Quoting one of her favorite adages, Liu says if you find a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. “That’s exactly how I feel,” she said.