by Herkimer County Community College has no shortage of amazing professors, and Associate Professor of Studio Art Justin Como is no exception. Como is in his 10th year teaching at Herkimer College, and before this he taught in graduate school and, even earlier, he worked as an adjunct instructor in graphic design classes. Como spent three years at Ohio University and was hired by Mississippi Valley State University and taught there for another three years.
Como said that his favorite thing about working at Herkimer was engaging with students and doing the things that matter to them. “I’m kind of lucky that teaching art, a lot of students come already with it being important to them,” Como said. Como also noted how it is very rewarding for him to see students implementing the concepts that they have been discussing in class. When asked about the biggest challenge he has faced as a professor, Como said “I don’t like talking all that much. A lot of my job is talking and organizing thoughts. Organizing thoughts into verbal communication is taxing.”
Como’s most memorable moment working at Herkimer occurred quite recently at the Art War event on April 16. Como commented on how watching students he had in studio classes making artwork with confidence during the event really stood out to him.
When Como began working at Herkimer, students would not go to the ceramics studio unless there was class, something Como expressed he was determined to change about the culture on campus. He wanted to make sure the studio was available to students. Students now go down to the ceramics studio to talk, engage, and have fun — but they are also producing.
One thing that most students don’t know about Como is that he was not a good student until beginning college. Como always liked learning new and interesting things; however, he hated school. This changed a lot when he started college. Como noted that what changed most was the way he was treated as a student. In college, you have the freedom to choose what classes you want to take within parameters.
Como is an inspiring professor and clearly cares deeply for his students. He wants to see them succeed and engage with the different resources on campus.
