Getting to know Mark Urista

As a student here at LBCC you will likely have to take a communications class as part of your chosen degree program. When you do there is a high chance you will be taught by one of the most interesting and enthusiastic teachers here at LBCC. His name is Mark Urista and he is one of two communications teachers currently teaching here at LBCC.

If you don't know Urista already you may instead know his voice. Mark has voiced many of introductory videos designed to help students settle in at LBCC, but these videos only scratch the surface of how committed Mark is to his job and students.

Urista is a friendly teacher who uses a very hands on approach when teaching his students. He teaches primarily speech and communication classes, many of which focus on practical applications of speaking skills. His classes include short 15 minute lectures, group activities and than having students share what they have learned from their own experiences with the class.
As a teacher, Urista likes to focus on showing students why the course matters and how they will benefit from the class and tries give his classroom a feeling of community by encouraging students to give one another advice and to share their own thoughts and feelings about subjects discussed.

"Its really important to engage students" says Urista, "You need to help students understand what they are learning."

Working at a smaller community college rather than a larger university is a deliberate choice according to Urista. He prefers the smaller, more close knit and community focused setting to the hustle and bustle of larger colleges. At small colleges like these he feels he can develop better relationships with his students and fellow staff members.

"I really love the people that I work with, specifically my students and my colleagues." he says. "I feel like the culture of LBCC really fits who I am."

Mark has taken a rather non-traditional role to becoming an educator after he dropped out of high school his senior year. After living on his own for several years circumstance found him at El Camino College, in his hometown of Torrance California. Having to wait for a friend to finish taking the entrance exam Mark decided to take it as well and much to his surprised he passed. He then decided to start attending classes and eventually did so well he was invited to join the school's debate team.

His junior year of college he began to think about what he would want to do after college and he decided to take the necessary steps to becoming a community college teacher himself. He was offered a full scholarship to University Of The Pacific and went on to become a student, teacher assistant and debate team coach. The latter of which was very successful. Eventually he made his way to LBCC and is currently employed as a Communication Faculty member where his responsibilities include teaching, working with students and overall helping the college achieve it's goals.

Mark feels that his job is one of the best ways to make a difference to people these days. There is something about the spirit of Oregon that and its focus on making communities better that Mark is greatly attracted to.

Additional Links

"Mark Urista: Meet the Faculty" Video
Mark's Instructor Website

At a Glance:
Who: Mark Urista, Communications teacher,
What: Mark's life and how he came to work at LBCC
Where: Linn-Benton Community college