New faculty Q&A: Andrew Walden

Andrew Walden was in graduate school when the realization hit. 

“I found that helping others understand difficult concepts was even more rewarding than making new discoveries in the laboratory,” said Walden, Randolph’s new assistant professor of chemistry. “I knew I wanted to continue to study chemistry, but that was when I decided I wanted to spend my career in the classroom helping students rather than conducting experiments.” 

Walden holds a BS in chemistry from the University of Virginia and a PhD in inorganic chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

He was a postdoctoral researcher at Yale University and a chemistry professor at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, for six years before coming to Randolph. 

What attracted you to the job here at Randolph?

I was excited about working at a college where teaching is the primary focus of faculty and where I would have the opportunity to teach smaller classes and get to know my students well.

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

Solving problems and working in small groups are great ways to learn chemistry. In the classroom, students can expect to practice concepts individually and with classmates after every new topic is presented. Outside the classroom, students will work together in small groups to solve complex problems.

What are your initial impressions of Randolph and its students? 

Randolph is a great place to learn. I have found Randolph students to be motivated and kind. They put in effort in the classroom and help each other succeed. 

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

I enjoy reading books and playing disc golf.