STUDENTS: Interacting with Faculty

Emailing a professor remains one of the most efficient ways students can establish an open channel of communication outside the classroom. An email allows students to gather and communicate their thoughts with clarity and concision. In addition, an email provides a record of communication, and professors can reply at their convenience. Well-developed digital communication skills serve students in school and in their professional careers.

✅ Use the Right Terms

When emailing a professor, try to avoid addressing them by their first name, no matter how friendly or approachable they act in the classroom, unless they specifically state to do so. Always use a professor’s proper rank or title in an official email correspondence, such as doctor (Dr.), if they hold a doctoral degree, or Professor (last name). A course syllabus usually includes a teacher’s credentials if you are unsure. Pay attention on the first day of class, and note down, what your professor says they would prefer to be called!

✅ Review the Subject Line

Use the subject line to catch your professor’s attention by clearly indicating the topic the email addresses. The subject line allows the receiver to quickly assess the message’s urgency and reply in a timely manner. A subject line should contain proper grammar and correct spelling. Doing so indicates that the sender put attention and care into the email and encourages the recipient to respond similarly. NEVER send an email with a blank subject line!

✅ Use the Correct Email Address

Some professors share their personal email address in the course syllabus, in addition to their New York Tech email. You should always send to both, if this is the case, so there are records of your conversation about course matters in their official New York Tech email as well. As a student, you should be using your @nyit.edu email address for all things New York Tech and class related, instead of your personal email address.

✅ Check Your Salutation and Signature

Many professors teach several classes. When communicating with a professor, students should always identify the course they are enrolled in and clearly indicate the time and day(s) of their class. Students should also keep the correspondence formal and use their full name at the end of the email.

• You may follow up on an earlier email. However, try to follow a "24-hour" rule, where you give faculty and staff at least 24 hours (more if it's a weekend) to get back to you. Do not simply resend the same email, or forward the initial email with no message. Instead, click "reply all" to your previous email and include a gentle reminder that you are just following-up on an earlier message and summarize the concern. Do not copy and paste the body of the initial email into the follow-up email.

• Include only as much detail as necessary for the professor to understand your issue. You can discuss more specific details in person, if needed. Reread your email before sending it, to make sure that it is as clear as possible, and will make sense to them. Also, try not to be demanding in your email. Instead state the issue you are having, and offer 1) a solution or 2) that you'd like to discuss further to see what options there are for you. This will invite your Professor into a conversation and show you are ready to take action as needed.

Read this SMORE for tech tips when absent!

Professors keep consultation hours to help students with issues not addressed in the classroom. Outside of these hours, students can often contact their professors through email. Taking the time to connect with professors yields several benefits that can last beyond college!

Building relationships with your faculty at New York Tech can help you in many areas such as academic support, career networking, a letter of recommendation and career advice!

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