For Professor Kristin Backhaus, experience is the mark of a successful education.

In the classroom, Backhaus relies on her own experiences in human resources, journalism and education to provide her School of Business students with the tools they will need to succeed in the business world.

“I try to deliver information in a way that prompts students to think for themselves,” she said.

Backhaus gets her students involved in the pursuit of their education by using hands-on projects. She says it is important to provide students with information through readings and lectures. However, it is essential to support the development of their critical thinking skills through projects such as applying theories and concepts learned in class to real-life problems.

Prior to joining the School of Business faculty in 1998, Backhaus worked at the college as assistant director of Human Resources where she worked closely with employees of the college for nine years. For her last three years in the position, she also added Affirmative Action Officer to her resume.

“I’m committed to the campus and the community,” she said.

Backhaus is the faculty advisor to the Management Association (MA), a student group in the School of Business. Every year, she travels with her students to the Human Resources (HR) Games, a Jeopardy-like contest, and enjoys getting to know them outside the classroom. With her MA students she says she allows them to develop and present programs they are excited about and take part in experiences that will help them grow as professionals.

While working in Human Resources, Backhaus returned to her roots in English and writing and became a stringer for the Daily Freeman in Kingston where for a year she covered events in Saugerties.

Backhaus says all of her experiences have made her the person and the professor she is today.

“There is a common thread to everything I’ve done,” she said.