Dr. Emma Daugherty

What fears or anxieties did you have about going to college?

I didn't know if I could perform well in the classroom. Failure in my courses was my biggest fear. I also worried that I would not like going to college. And I didn't know if it would be difficult to make friends.

  • Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University
  • M.A., Michigan State University
  • B.S., West Virginia University

Get involved. Join clubs. Pursue your interests. There are countless student organizations on campus -- religious, political, ethnic, academic, athletic, service, and the list goes on. Much of your learning in college takes place outside the classroom with other students. You learn about different people, varied backgrounds, other traditions, and cultural values. Plus, you make lifelong friends. Seek help and don't hesitate to seek help. There are many free services on campus to help you thrive here. There are centers to help you with all aspects of your academic career -- learning, writing, mathematics, physical health, mental health, and wellness in general. These services don't cost you anything and are available to you if you take the effort to use them. You just need to use the services you've already paid for.

I love nature -- trees, woods, forests, beaches, oceans. I love hiking and walking with my dogs. I enjoy crystals and have some beautiful ones in my collection of rocks and gems. I frequent gem and mineral shows when they're in the area. I'm also a huge Harry Potter fan and collector.

  1. My dogs
  2. An ample food supply
  3. Moisturizing creams

I was on the junior variety and variety cheerleading squads at West Virginia University, and my favorite squad member was Cindy Bissett. We roomed together at the away games when the squad was traveling with the team. I adored her. Later, she moved to New York City and gave birth to her daughter Stefani, who is better known as Lady Gaga.

I research the pathways of women entrepreneurs in public relations who founded their own firm -- what motivates them, their ethical dilemmas, and their leadership styles. I'm currently studying issues related to the work-life balance of executive women in communications and public relations -- their challenges and how they cope with them.