New faculty Q&A: Jonathan Skelton

Jonathan Skelton has worked in many fields—science and engineering among them—but teaching is his real passion.

“It took me a while to find a job that felt like I was making a difference in the world,” he said. “While I enjoyed doing research as a scientist, I felt like I was able to make a larger impact on my community during my time as a middle school teacher. I decided to pursue a PhD and a job in higher education so that I could invest in the lives of students and explore my scientific interests.”

Skelton, who grew up in Farmville, graduated from Longwood University with a degree in chemistry and worked as an engineer, scientist, and middle school math teacher before earning his PhD in materials science and engineering from the University of Virginia.

He joined Randolph this fall as an assistant professor of robotics and mechatronics engineering, one of the College’s newest majors.

“I believe higher education is a great place to ask the big questions about life,” he said. “I plan to keep my door open so it can serve as a place where students, whether in engineering or not, feel comfortable stopping in.”

How does it feel to be part of a new major here at Randolph, in a field that is becoming more and more popular among students?

It is exciting to get to build something from the ground up, to set up students well for successful careers, and to weave the principles of engineering into the other strong components of Randolph.

What attracted you to the job here?

I loved my experience at Longwood, and I always hoped to end up teaching at a small liberal arts school.

Describe your teaching style. What can students expect in your classes?

I believe the best way to learn is by seeing concepts in action, so I like to build classes that incorporate a lot of hands-on learning components. I want students to walk away from my classes feeling the confidence that they truly understand and can apply the course material, rather than just having memorized content for an exam.

What are your initial impressions of Randolph and its students?

It seems like a close-knit family, and everyone has been very warm and welcoming.

What do you like to do outside of the classroom as far as hobbies or other activities?

My wife and I love to spend time outdoors, especially hiking and backpacking. I also really enjoy sailing, playing chess, and bouncing my 2-month-old son.