What I tell students about me, my mental health and the environment I try to create in the classroom

With Student Comments

My teaching philosophy has evolved (or devolved) into one sentences- “ I want every student to reach their full potential in the class.” One of the ways I try to accomplish this is leverage my being pathologically genuine and being an austistic empath to meet each student where they are to the best that I can. As a professor that largelyt means: 1) Being flexible (I care more about learning than due dates); 2) Being engaged with every student (even in classes of 200 students; 3) Being vulnerable and sharing my experiences and open about who I am; 4) And trying to demonstrate how much I truly care.

I posted several student comments (out of roughly 800 that are similar) that speak in detail to the ways my approach at the bottomo of the essays.

Below are two sections of my syllabus that speack a bit to how I try to communicate to students.

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Syllabus exert

Me as a Professor and as a Person

I became a physiological and ecosystem ecologist because I am fascinated by how organisms have evolved and how ecosystems function. You can find out about research I have published on my Google Scholar Page. I love ecological science and I hope that you will be inspired by my excitement.

I started my academic career as an assistant professor at Syracuse University. I was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor there. I moved from that role into a senior academic leadership role at the rank of Professor and served as Vice President for Research (DRI, MU, Rice), Dean (VCU) and Provost (NAU, U. Arkansas, UNCG) before returning to the UNCG faculty in January 2021. You can read my curriculum vitae here.

I truly have loved teaching undergraduates and graduate students since returning to full time faculty in Fall 2021. For undergraduates, I teach evolution, ecology, the biosphere, BIO 112 (intro BIO II), plant physiological ecology and usually have at least 6 students in BIO 499 (undergrad research). I also taught BIO 731- Environmental Health Sciences II- Ecosystems to Individuals. You can reach a couple of links about my teaching here.

Having been someone who has suffered from depression and anxiety, and who is also on the autism spectrum, I am very aware of how debilitating mental health issues can be. I talk often about my experiences to undergraduates and graduate students. I will probably give a few “public service announcements” about mental health in class. I have been trained in mental health first aid, and I have helped students find support when they need it. I may be unusually honest about my experiences and my mental health challenges relative to how those are discussed in your family or culture. I promised myself a long time ago that I would always be honest and open about my challenges as my way of destigmatizing mental health challenges. For individuals who are young adults, suicide is the second leading cause of death behind accidents (drug overdoses and car accidents). Conditions like depression are every bit as much as a disease as cancer, they are more deadly for those of you that are still young adults than any disease, and they can be effectively treated.

Many classes will have small group in-class activities. I also will ask questions to the class often. Please participate! The best way to know if you learned something is to be able to tell someone else about it. Also, there are no stupid questions in my classes. If I ever react in a way that you think was rude to someone who asked a question in class or to you, please let me know. It would never want to appear rude or demeaning.

· I created a 30-minute narrated PowerPoint from Fall 2023 that will let you know everything you could want to know about me. You get a point if you view it or if you tell me you don’t have time to view it. This was prepared with BIO431, but still can be useful if you want to know more about me.

My approach to facilitating each student reaching their full potential.

David Brooks, a columnist for the NY Times, had the following quote in an op-ed published on May 26, 2022. I think his statements should be the first line in every university's mission statement about students. I think, what David Brooks describes below in the first paragraph (essentially caring), and creating equity is about taking these principles and applying them to students in a classroom you lead.

“The fact is, moral behavior doesn’t start with having the right beliefs. Moral behavior starts with an act — the act of seeing the full humanity of other people. Moral behavior is not about having the right intellectual concepts in your head. It’s about seeing other people with the eyes of the heart, seeing them in their full experience, suffering with their full suffering, walking with them on their path. Morality starts with the quality of attention we cast upon another.”

“If you look at people with a detached, emotionless gaze, it doesn’t really matter what your beliefs are, because you have morally disengaged. You have perceived a person not as a full human but as a thing, as a vague entity toward which the rules of morality do not apply."

I want this to apply to my style of teaching because I truly believe, as David wrote, that "good teaching" and moral behavior "starts with the quality of attention we cast upon another. " I find myself generally caring a lot about students in my classes. I generally will try and engage you if you miss a class or assignment by sending you a note making sure you are OK. If you look disengaged, really distracted, or really tired, I often will try to ask you how you are doing. You do not have to answer if I ask- only if you want to. I will do what I can to be there for you if you need to talk to someone and think I can help. Please do not be afraid to talk to me if you are struggling and think I might help

I am also on the autism spectrum. I would have been classified as a “high functioning Asperger’s” when that term was applied. Thus, I may be wired very differently than you and may not interpret words or actions in the same way you do. I am open to learning, so I ask that you let me know if I reacted, or didn’t react, to something in a way that bothers you.

There is a lot of variation in how humans sense and process the world, even if one is not classified on the neurodiverse spectrum. I encourage you to explore this aspect of human behavior (i.e., that people may differ in how they sense and process the world) as you interact with faculty, peer students, and undergraduates. It might help give your perspective and help de-escalate conflicts.

Here are comments from students about classes they have taken with me showing how much my openess, caring being genuine and trying to follow David Brooks’ direction...

• I’ve had many professors that go on and on about how they care about us mentally, emotionally, and physically but I never believe them. However, when you spoke about how you truly did care for us, and all the things you went through and understanding the challenges we face, I believe you really do care about us.
  As time went on and the more you spoke about yourself and your care for us made me feel like I was like around my grandfather again who is very dear to me. It made me feel like you were also someone who is in my family because of how much you care.
  To wrap this up because I will get a bit too repetitive. I want to thank you for every moment of being in your class. it’s memorable. You are the only professor so far that I would ever give a gift to just because of your going above and beyond, for not only me, but the rest of the class.
  I truly hope you stay here long enough for others to experience your class and to know that, despite how it feels like the school is constantly going against us in every single way, there are people like you that teach our classes, who are/is a breath of fresh air.
  I’d also like to say that I appreciated you reaching out to make sure we are OK I want to make sure that I ask you the same,. thing. So, I hope you right now we’re doing OK. I hope you’ve been physically mentally and emotionally balancing yourself and not overwhelming yourself, since it can be quite easy to do so.
  Continue to be the most amazing professor in the whole wide world.

• Dr. Coleman, you are one of the most influential if not the most influential professor I’ve ever met. I am so grateful to have met the most thoughtful professor in my whole undergraduate years. You truly care about the struggle students go through. Not from the eyes of one who looks down but from the eyes of one who can relate. Because of you kind nature Dr. Coleman you motivate your students to enjoy learning. I’ve never felt bad about missing class in my 4 years of undergrads until now. Thank you so much Dr. Coleman for giving us all hope and a light in this dark tunnel of our early 20s. ​

• With that being said, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the impact that you have made in my academic journey. I am excited to finally be graduating with my BS in Biology, but truth be told, the semester before I took your BIO 431 course I had planned for it to be my last semester and for me to drop out of college. I was not doing well academically in biology courses, and my GPA reflected that. I was also at risk of losing my financial aid, without which I could not attend school. I actually had been academically suspended before, and I was running out of time. A very close friend of mine, told me about your course and told me that I might be able to do well on it. I took your course that semester along with some other courses, and I told myself that if I did not do well that semester I would have to drop out as a UNCG student. While taking your course, I had never met a professor who cared so much about students' well being and mental health as much as you do, and you quickly became my favorite professor of all time. Environmental Biology was not my interest at the time, but because I enjoyed every lecture that you had, I was able to actually do well and I earned an A in the course, something that I was never able to do in my previous biology courses. That positive outlook also carried over in other courses that semester, which boosted my GPA pretty highly, and I felt reinstated as a student. The summer BIO 499 with you helped me immensely, and gave me research experience which I will be using in my career. This semester I retook the biology courses that I did not do well on the semesters before I took your course. Your impact was very noticeable, as I am finishing with all As and Bs in them, which allows me to graduate by the end of this semester. Overall it is safe to say that I could not have made it without you, so thank you so much for being a professor who cares not just for students' academic performance, but also for their mental health as well, which goes a long way in academic achievement. ​

• Dr. Coleman is the most profoundly impactful professor I ever encountered. He is the nicest human, the kindest soul, and always a friend. He lead his students with grace and wisdom. He offered a listening ear, a warm hug, and support whenever needed. He is truly one of the best. He made me a better person and made learning fun. Kindness, he is genuine/authentic, knowledgeable. Dr. Coleman has messaged me since graduation to do check-ins and see how I am doing. Knowing he always cares about his students is really nice and heartwarming. It is always an honor to see his name appear. He takes his valuable time and thinks about so many people, always sending love.

• There are some professors who help you strive for the best in school, and there are some people who inspire you to strive for the best in life. Dr. Coleman is both of those people. From always knowing how to make the class smile and laugh, to having the compassion to sit down and simply ask 'Are you ok, do you need to talk?' after class. I am fortunate enough to have had Dr. Coleman for multiple courses in my time at UNCG, and I gotta say he truly had a profound effect on my life as a student, and as a person. Makes me beyond happy I choose Biology for my major...He is the absolute MASTER of systems based learning. His concepts and interpretation of systems modeling for learning truely helped me excell in not only his course, but many of my other biology courses as well.

• As someone who has always struggled with creating connections with faculty due to being shy, Dr. Coleman was the only one I was able to connect with because of his welcoming spirit. During the time that I had taken his course, I was struggling mentally and felt lost. Dr. Coleman was the only professor that I had that was open about mental health because of his own experiences. He deeply cares about his students and alumni. When I had gone to him about my mental health, he had taken the time out of his day to walk me and another student down to the student health services where he stayed with us until we were seen. To this day, I am so grateful to have met an amazing professor like him who has made a significant impact on my life because without his guidance and help, I would not be in the position that I am in life now. ..Dr. Coleman has impacted my academic growth by having a welcoming personality. I was able to ask him questions about the materials that we were learning in class without feeling nervous or stupid about asking him a question. This had helped me clarify my understanding of the topics being taught in class. The qualities I admire most about Dr. Coleman is his approachability, his enthusiasm, and his passion towards evolution. Another quality that I admire about him is his selflessness and dedication to his students well being.

• Jim was more than just a professor; he was an incredible mentor who genuinely cared about his students' success and well-being. Whether it was through his engaging teaching, weekly research meetings, or just casual conversations, he always made students feel valued and supported. If I ever had to miss class due to personal or mental health reasons, he never made it an issue. Instead, he would send me the materials we covered and even offer to meet during office hours to make sure I didn’t fall behind. His willingness to go the extra mile for his students is something I’ll always appreciate. One of my favorite memories was working on his microplastics research, where he made me feel like a real scientist, not just a student. From analyzing data to creating graphs, he gave me the freedom to explore and contribute meaningfully to the project. Jim had a profound impact on my academic growth. He made research feel like a true scientific journey rather than just a task to complete. From the very beginning, he involved us in every step of the process, holding weekly team meetings to discuss ongoing research and giving us the freedom to explore techniques on our own. One of my favorite parts was analyzing data and creating graphs, which made me feel like I was making real contributions. Even though I was still an undergraduate, he always treated me like an equal, valuing my input and ideas. His mentorship not only deepened my understanding of science but also gave me the confidence to tackle challenges independently. For example, when I struggled with measuring microplastics in soil, he patiently guided me until I mastered the technique, showing me that persistence and curiosity are key to success in science.

• Working with Dr. Coleman was always a delight. I knew I wanted to be on his research team my last year of undergrad after having him for a lecture course. In all of my years as a student, I can easily say there is no one else who cares as much about his students well-being, potential, and long term success the way Dr. Coleman does. From singing songs about science to his students in lecture, to being the person you put on your job applications as a reference, he is not only a wonderful teacher but a wonderful human being. I feel so lucky I had the privilege of being one of his students and research team members.....I remember one time, I had one of the worst weeks in undergrad. I was in my summer term, nearing my last semester of undergrad and I felt like things were not working out how they needed to in order to keep me on track with graduation, let alone a strong academic finish. I sat down in his office after our research team meeting and I just broke down because the week had been so rough with other classes and not meeting my own expectations. Dr. Coleman sat in his desk chair and pulled up my DegreeWorks and reassured me I was going to be fine, there were options for me and flexibility for me to retake a course I needed to still in time for me to graduate, and also showed me there were certain things I was stressing about that I didn’t even need to register for. I just remember leaving feeling so understood, seen, but also guided in the right direction by someone who I knew cared about me as a person, a student, and a professional following my graduation.

• Dr. Coleman centered critical and systems thinking, personal development and growth, and inclusive collaboration. Dr. Coleman set a strong example for transparent emotional wellbeing, being open about his own experiences and modeling empathy for the student experience. Among other faculty at UNCG, he inspired me to continue in higher education and push myself to learn and excel, while keeping community central to my life and work.

• Genuinely every experience with Dr. Coleman was incredible. You'd find it hard to meet a more passionate and supportive professor in academia. Dr. Coleman helped me remember that academia doesn't have to be a solo endeavor, like most things in life it is more meaningful and effective when you have a supportive group. Without a doubt I admire Dr. Coleman's empathy the most. Though his intelligence and passion has no rival, the compassion he has for his fellow humans and especially his students goes above and beyond anything I could've hoped for in a professor.

• Dr. Coleman went above and beyond to make us students fell supported and understood. I really appreciated his kindness and mentorship during my senior year and beyond. He has continued to be a mentor and offer guidance even after graduation and I’m so grateful to have met him!.. .His depth of knowledge, kindness, and how very genuine they were. He cared out about not only my success, but also my wellbeing. That really means a lot as a student.

• He went out of his way to assure that students felt supported in all aspects of our education and mental wellbeing. He was so supportive of our goals and made sure he took the time to get to know his students individually. Dr. Coleman has taken the time to provide support and guidance while I applied to PA school. He also took the time to write me a letter of recommendation to help my application process.

• Dr. Coleman’s passion for the classes he teaches and compassion for the students he teaches truly sets him apart from other professors. He will go above and beyond for his students and the biology department wouldn’t be the same without him. Dr. Coleman supported me in my journey towards medical school. He not only encouraged me to achieve my goals, but submitted a strong letter of recommendation, which I believe influenced my acceptance to medical school.

• Dr. Coleman is not just an amazing professor but an even more amazing person. Whenever I have a problem, Dr. Coleman is always there to save the day. He is a man of true morals and ethics. I admire Dr. Coleman’s honesty, attention to detail, kindness, enthusiasm, and most of all, his sense of humanity.

• I've taken 2 course with Dr. Coleman and have been constantly amazed at how well he explains complex biological processes and is able to explain research figures and papers in his Biosphere class. I'm a premedical student, and his classes have really helped me become more comfortable reading and writing scientific literature.

• Dr. Jim Coleman has been an incredible professor, and l've had the privilege of taking both Ecology and Principles of Biology I| with him. He is not only knowledgeable but also kind, compassionate, and truly invested in his students' success. At the beginning of each class, he would play music to help us relax, knowing that many of us had long, exhausting days. He genuinely cared about making sure we understood the material, always taking the time to connect with us on a personal level. When I was struggling mentally and falling behind, he noticed and reached out, offering his support without hesitation. He was a listening ear when I needed one most and even referred me to campus resources to ensure I had the help I needed. His empathy and dedication to his students go far beyond the classroom, and I am beyond grateful to have met someone like him. One specific example of how Dr. Jim Coleman went above and beyond to support me was when I was struggling mentally and falling behind in class. He didn’t just notice—he genuinely cared. He pulled me aside after class to check in and see if I was okay, offering a listening ear and heartfelt encouragement. When I opened up about my struggles, he shared that he had dealt with mental health challenges in the past, encasing real sympathy and understanding rather than just surface-level concern. He referred me to campus resources but also continued to check in on me, making sure I was still doing okay. If needed, during his office hours, he let me talk freely while he simply listened, creating a space where I felt heard and supported. When he noticed I was missing class, he even took the time to email me, not only encouraging me to come back but also sharing a little bit about himself to remind me that I wasn’t alone. Through it all, he still encouraged me academically and genuinely wanted to see my growth and success. He didn’t let me lose sight of my potential, always reminding me of what I was capable of. His belief in me pushed me to keep going, and his support made a lasting impact on both my academic journey and personal growth. I will always be grateful for his kindness, patience, and unwavering dedication to his students.

• ​Dr. Coleman was always a very caring and genuine professor! He was extremely personable and brought so much joy and passion to class each day! Even following graduation, he still genuinely cares about where his students are and that means the most!

• Dr. Coleman is one of the most engaging and supportive professors I’ve had at UNCG. His passion for teaching is obvious, but what really makes him stand out is how well he connects with students. He doesn’t just lecture—he creates an interactive learning environment where discussions often continue beyond class, whether through Canvas or email. He’s also open about the challenges of academia and mental health, which makes him easy to talk to. He genuinely cares about his students and puts in the effort to help them succeed, which is something I’ve really appreciated. Dr. Coleman has helped me grow academically by encouraging me to think critically and apply what I learn rather than just memorizing information. His teaching style has strengthened my problem-solving skills in both coursework and research. Beyond that, he has been incredibly supportive through my own challenges in school. He’s always open to conversations, whether about academics or the difficulties that come with it, which has made it easier to ask for help when I need it. His encouragement has helped me stay motivated, reminding me that setbacks are part of the process and don’t define my potential.

• Dr. Coleman is an incredibly caring, genuine, and fun professor. Dr. Coleman works extremely hard to provide the best experience for his students. Dr. Coleman is a wonderful mentor and puts his all in to see his students succeed.

• Dr. Jim Coleman was one of the most supportive professors I had. His engaging teaching style in my Biosphere course made complex concepts easier to grasp, and his detailed feedback helped me grow academically. Dr. Coleman shaped my approach to scientific thinking and encouraged my curiosity. His support during a tough time in my life reinforced my perseverance and confidence in my academic journey. i admire his patience, dedication, and genuine care for all his students. He makes learning accessible and ensures every student feels valued and I hope all students have had a similar experience with him. I would definitely recommend everyone to take at least one of his courses, if possible. :)

• Dr. Coleman has helped me grow not only as a scientist but also as a person. He encouraged and offered me opportunities that have helped mold me into a caring and compassionate leader, which I also learned through following the extraordinary example he sets every day, in and out of the classroom. Dr. Coleman has been an instrumental part of my academic life and a personal role model and has continued to show up for me even after I graduated. You are the best, Dr. Coleman!

• Awesome teacher to learn from and do research with! Super funny down to earth and extremely welcoming. Dr.Coleman is extremely talented and loves teaching and most of all his students!

• Dr. Coleman was easily the best professor I had at UNCG. It did not matter if it was a class of 30 or 100 students, but everyday during class activities he would take his time to talk to each student and see how they were doing in life and at the rest of school and he would remember every detail. Dr. Coleman was able to make every single day an interesting day to go to class, it was never a boring time. The ability to make class an excitement to go to was one of the first for me at UNCG.

• He has impacted my academic growth by showing what it is like to put in effort and make its worth. Along with treating others with kindness and great things come back to you. It motivated me to try hard in my academics allowing me to grow more as a student. I admire his kindness, dedication, and understanding of students. Jim Coleman care for his students growth and ability to learn and become a better person academically. Jim Coleman does not judge you and does such fun things in class to help his students get engaged.

• Dr. Coleman, has been the nicest professor I have ever had, and his kindness and sincerity never went unnoticed. He always made people feel valued and appreciated, and that’s something truly special. His presence in the classroom created such a positive atmosphere, and I’m grateful to have been one of his students. I also really admired his teaching style—how he encouraged us to teach ourselves and each other so we could truly grasp the concepts. It made the learning experience so much more meaningful and helped us retain what we learned. But beyond academics, it was the way he treated people that left the biggest impact on me.

• Dr. Coleman was incredibly caring and supportive throughout my time working with him in the research lab. He took the time to guide me through experiments, provided valuable feedback, and always encouraged me to think critically about our research. His mentorship created a collaborative environment that made learning and contributing to the project a rewarding experience. I also had a great experience as his student in a traditional classroom setting. He truly cared about his students' success and went above and beyond to ensure we understood the material and felt supported. Dr. Coleman has had a significant impact on my academic growth by helping me develop critical thinking skills and building a strong foundation of the material we studied. His guidance in both the research lab and classroom has equipped me with essential skills that I will continue to use as I prepare for a career in dentistry. His emphasis on analytical thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail has been valuable in shaping my approach to learning and my future professional goals.

• Dr. Coleman is the most influential professor I have ever had inside and outside of the classroom, he genuinely cares about his students and their futures. Before meeting dr coleman I had a love for biology, now I have a passion for it. He helped me learn to manage my mental health as well as my academics, he also pushed me to join our sea turtle program which has forever changed the course of my life.

• Dr. Coleman is an outstanding professor who creates an engaging and supportive learning environment. His dedication to his students' success, along with his clear passion for the subject matter, has made a lasting impact on me. I appreciate how approachable and helpful he is, always willing to go the extra mile to ensure we understand the material. One of the most positive experiences I had with Dr. Coleman was having the opportunity to conduct research and study the biosphere during my senior year. His guidance during this project was invaluable, helping me connect theory to practice and deepening my interest in the field. Additionally, serving as my biology academic advisor, Dr. Coleman provided excellent guidance on course selection and career planning, which played a crucial role in shaping my academic journey. Now, as a science educator myself, I strive to implement the same level of dedication and passion for the subject that Dr. Coleman demonstrated. Dr. Coleman was more than just a professor; he was a mentor and a guide. He always took the time to listen, offering wisdom and support in a way that felt personal and genuine. Whether it was helping me navigate my research or offering advice on my academic and career path, his guidance was invaluable. Dr. Coleman’s approach was never about discipline alone, but about helping me grow and succeed in a way that felt truly supportive.

• Dr. Coleman possesses the rare quality (perhaps it is an extraordinary amount of compassion) of making every one of his students feel cared for, listened to, and valued. As a mentor and aspiring educator, he showed me that the effort to form a personal connection with those I am hoping to impart my knowledge upon can leave a resonating impact. Three years after his course, I can still remember the relief that I felt walking into his lectures, knowing that I had a place where I was always welcome and where I could show up authentically. Whether I needed career advice or just needed to vent about life challenges associated with pursuing higher Ed, he was always willing to listen and offer support. From his actions it is clear that he cares not only about the learning of his own students, but about how education as a whole can be improved. Truly, I wish that every student could experience having a professor like him.

• Dr. Coleman has been a fantastic professor, mentor, and an overall incredible individual. I took two of his classes and completed six credits of undergraduate research with him. He is well-known and highly regarded by my peers and other staff members. When I was configuring my schedule initially, I was told, "You absolutely have to take one of his classes!" Dr. Coleman made learning the content easy, and his passion for his subject area was clear. One memorable experience was taking his Evolution class, which led me to join his undergraduate research program. This opportunity was incredibly valuable. Dr. Coleman's mentorship had a big impact on me. His kindness, support, and dedication made a lasting impression. Now, I work as a high school science teacher at East Forsyth High School! I strive to create a welcoming environment for my students, just as Dr. Coleman did for me. I am very thankful for his encouragement and guidance!

• In Dr. Coleman's class, he implemented a mid-term check-in, during which he provided an assessment to gather student feedback on the course material. The assessment included questions about our comfort level with the content, his performance as an instructor, and whether any adjustments were needed. At the end, there was an open-ended question inviting students to share how they were personally doing. Dr. Coleman encouraged us to write as much or as little as we felt comfortable sharing, assuring us that he would personally read each response. When I first enrolled at UNCG, it marked my initial experience living independently, which I genuinely enjoyed. However, I often struggled with anxiety stemming from issues in my home life, which at times made it difficult for me to stay motivated. For some reason, I decided to write about these struggles in the open-ended response box. I wasn't sure why I shared this information, and I certainly didn't expect a response. After all, there were over 200 students in that lecture hall. To my surprise, within the same week, Dr. Coleman personally reached out to me via email to ask if I was okay. His concern was genuine, and his message made me feel seen. After one of our classes, he approached me directly and asked if I would be interested in seeking professional support for what I was going through. While I had previously considered therapy, I had never taken the initiative to pursue it and felt unsure about where to begin. Dr. Coleman kindly walked me over to the student health services center to ensure I found the resources I needed. He reassured me that everything would be okay and even shared that he had experienced similar struggles himself. His empathy and dedication left a lasting impact on me. I had never experienced that level of thoughtfulness and support from an educator before. For someone in his position to take such meaningful action for me, just one student among many, was incredibly humbling. Dr. Coleman's compassion, dedication, and commitment to his students truly set him apart. He is an exceptional individual, and his efforts deserve recognition

• Dr. Coleman is incredibly transparent and compassionate in his role as an professor. He consistently communicates his expectations clearly, ensuring that students understand his standards and what is required to succeed. More importantly, Dr. Coleman demonstrates remarkable empathy and understanding. If a student faces challenges or needs assistance, he is always willing to provide support. Whether it involves helping with an assignment, offering an extension for someone who simply overlooked a deadline, or being available to talk about personal struggles, Dr. Coleman consistently shows his dedication to student well-being. On the first day of class, Dr. Coleman told us that we were now part of his family. His classroom was incredibly welcoming and his warmth and kindness encouraged students to connect with one another, creating a positive atmosphere where meaningful friendships could form. I know it certainly helped me make friends. Dr. Coleman's ability to combine professionalism with empathy makes him an exceptional educator and mentor.

• He deeply cares about each of his students and is the only teacher I've had in a big class remember everyone's names.

• Dr. Coleman was a great professor who was truly passionate about what he taught. His knowledge and experience really showed in the way he explained things, making the class both fun and engaging. He always tried to connect with students and did everything he could to support us.​

• Dr. Coleman genuinely cared for his students. He was always willing to help after class, whether it was with course material, grades, or even personal challenges. His encouragement made a real difference in my academic journey. I admire his kindness, thoughtfulness, and reliability. He genuinely cares about his students and takes the time to understand and support them.

• Dr. Coleman shows his students everyday that he cares about their mental health. In class he always ask us how we are doing, hows our mental health and constantly remind us that he is here for us if we ever need anything. Dr.Coleman is a professor that believes in second chances (when it comes to grading). He understands that school can be so stressful and if we ever need to vent about personal problems or even school related problems that he's here for us. This is my first time ever having Dr.Coleman and I see exactly why everyone always want him as their professor. At the beginning of the semester Dr. Coleman brought all of his students name tags therefore he could call us by our name instead of just pointing at us to call on us.

• Dr. Coleman was such a warm and bubbly professor when I first attended his Evolution class. Dr. Coleman went out of his way to make everyone feel welcome, seen, and accommodated for. I just really appreciated how Dr. Coleman always let me know that if there’s anything I needed he would do his best to help. I had a lot going on around that time and Dr. Coleman was very understanding and constantly supported me when it came to academics, meeting deadlines, and overall just being a great professor and made learning fun and interactive when I was in the classroom. But, my favorite memory with Dr. Coleman is when I treated him out for lunch at Panera Bread where we talked and talked and I learned so much about him and who he is a person—not Dr. Coleman but just Jim (lol he said I should just start calling him Jim). Dr. Coleman is an empath, funny, sees people for who they are, sometimes socially awkward (but who isn’t sometimes), works so hard and deserves to take a moment for himself, and just overall just a wonderful guy. I’m happy I had a Dr. Coleman in my college journey and I hope everyone can have a Dr. Coleman in theirs. What made this moment so much more special is that I had a Panera Bread worker take our photo at the register and she said that me asking her take me and my professor was the best thing she got to do all day. It was like felt the joy I felt getting to simply be here with someone who played a big role in my academic journey. That was just a wholesome moment that I will cherish forever because I never saw myself building a bond so close with an educator in my life due to me being to myself when it came to fostering relationships with my professors. I had emailed so many professors to be a part of their labs and it was very discouraging when none paid me much mind after a lot of attempts. But, Dr. Coleman was the only professor that let me be a part of his lab working with the tobacco hornworms. It was so fun having a professor that actually saw me. Dr. Coleman made me feel adequate and that I can be seen as a valuable student and that actually boosted my confidence in myself to apply myself more into the things I shied away from. I wasn’t very talkative and wasn’t the type of student to engage in conversation and build a relationship with faculty, but I really enjoyed talking with Dr. Coleman and building a relationship where I could go to him for academic support and just a little laugh from time to time. Overall, Dr. Coleman looked out for me like he did for many other students. He gave us a surplus of information, resources, tools, and support to be everything we needed to be while at UNCG. I’m so thankful for the connections he helped me get and getting to work right after graduating. I’m forever grateful for Dr. Coleman.