Get to Know HFC: Dr. Tom Hopkins brings new collaborative ideas to the Telecom program
Since HFC telecommunication instructor Dr. Tom Hopkins comes from a family of teachers, he was destined to become one himself.
“My father and sisters were teachers, and I have several relatives who also taught or are currently teaching. One of my cousins was the president of a private high school in Cleveland, and one of my uncles served as the president of a small college in Pittsburgh,” said Hopkins, of Allen Park. “In my conversations with them I learned a good deal about the administrative side of education and the challenges of running an educational institution. This has given me a good deal of understanding – or should I say sympathy – with what President Kavalhuna deals with on a daily basis!”
Hopkins has been teaching more than 20 years. He has taught at Wayne State University, Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, and HFC. He has taught at the College for 15 years.
A special fondness for production classes
The Fall 2022 semester marks his first time as a full-time faculty member after being a part-time instructor for 14 years. He is teaching the following courses this semester:
“I enjoy teaching very much and feel fortunate that I have been able to pursue a career in education,” he said. “I enjoy all areas of teaching in the telecommunication field, but I have a special fondness for production classes because I get to see the students show their creative talents. I also like the group dynamics of production classes and the way students work. Television production is another class that I love to teach, and I was fortunate to be a co-producer of a student program that currently airs on PBS called Metro Arts.”
New ideas for telecom
A Detroit native, Hopkins is a graduate of what is now the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. He earned his bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He later earned both his master's degree in communications and his doctoral degree in film studies from Wayne State.
“I always found the field of mass communication interesting and fascinating,” said Hopkins. “I'm excited to be a full-time faculty member at the College. I was attracted to HFC because of my familiarity with the Dearborn area, particularly my undergraduate years next door at UM-Dearborn.”
Hopkins reports to HFC Chair of Communication and Media and WHFR General Manager Susan McGraw.
“I've had the pleasure of working with Tom for many years in his time as an adjunct here at HFC. He's easygoing and brilliant, and our students love him!” said McGraw. “With his new full-time commitment to the telecommunication area, Tom is off and running with amazing and collaborative ideas to help expand our department and bring it to a new level. I can't think of anyone I'd rather be on this journey with!”