Roger Laubengayer, an adjunct instructor of intensive English, creates a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for international students.

Laubengayer is a beloved professor for most international students. He works on international programs and has always appreciated and supported his students in achieving academic success.

Laubengayer was born and raised in Ellsworth, Kansas, and went to a public high school in the small town of Hillsboro, Kansas. He received his associate degree at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas, and moved on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Occidental College after he moved to California.

Additionally, he earned his master’s degree in English from Sacramento State University in Sacramento, California and a doctorate in educational leadership from the Capella University of Minnesota.

Laubengayer always liked being in a university atmosphere which encouraged him to have many degrees.

To accelerate his teaching journey Laubengayer obtained a teaching certification from Fort Hays State University. He also received his doctorate in education curriculum at the University of Kansas.

As an adjunct instructor at Washburn, Laubengayer urges young people to think and express their thoughts in a safe environment. Young people are frequently the ones who safely express themselves, despite the reality that everyone has the desire to analyze and share their opinions. He enjoys helping international students who might have communication difficulties because he sees it as a chance to encourage their communication and academic participation.

He takes an effort to teach his students conversational skills and pronunciation in addition to grammar and vocabulary. He is conscious that learning a language involves more than just learning grammar and vocabulary; it also includes gaining the self-assurance required to talk clearly and successfully express oneself.

“I’m helping students adjust to Washburn to understand the American educational system because many of them are new,” Laubengayer said.

Barsha Kattel, a freshman in nursing who had taken his class last semester states that he is the funniest and the best professor who makes the class interesting and is always focused to give the best for his students.

“He is demonstrating a strong commitment to the academic community at the college and creating a more supportive and collaborative learning environment for everyone,” Kattel said.

Gyanu Sardar, a freshman forensic science major who is currently enrolled in his class, thinks that he is not only a great teacher but also a very delightful man. Laubengayer also seems to have a special way of making the lecture interesting and engaging, which makes learning a lot more enjoyable.

“He is a gentle, positive, and always willing to go above and above instructor who wants to see his students succeed. He understands that learning a new language may be difficult, so he works to create an encouraging and warm environment where students feel free to express their concerns and make errors,” Sardar said.

Laubengayer thinks it’s good for Washburn to get more international students because they can train their minds and brain to think about other things. He loves meeting new students and teaching them in a friendly atmosphere.

He believes his main goal is to make his students confident enough to compose and read in English. Regardless of language differences, he wants to provide a safe space where all learners may express their ideas in a way that encourages a positive educational environment for all.

In his free time, Laubengayer enjoys watching TV and movies, exercising and spending time with his grandchildren. His hobbies also include fishing alone in the countryside and being outdoors.

His favorite movie is “The Notebook”, which is a romantic movie.

His favorite book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen which is about the life of women 200 years ago in England where they had to get married otherwise they would have no life.

“The dialogue is excellent. It’s so fun to listen to them talk to each other,” Laubengayer said.

He also enjoys watching Star Wars, a TV show and the zombie science fiction Last of Us.

Edited by Simran Shrestha, LeSha’ Davis and Glorianna Noland