Tartan Spotlight: Autumn Lala, Beacon of Commitment to Educational Success

Sinclair Community College has earned a reputation of excellence for its outstanding commitment to its students and community. This reputation is earned through the faculty’s hard work and high expectations. 

Autumn Lala shines a beacon on what it means to be a professor committed to student success. She brings experience, determination, and an excitement for learning in her classes. 

Lala attended Sinclair as a student before transferring to the University of Cincinnati to pursue a double major in creative writing. After teaching for two years at the University of Dayton while completing her master’s degree, she became a creative writing teacher at Sinclair. She is also a dedicated, hardworking professional working at a local Dayton publishing firm. 

 “I draw inspiration from all of the good teachers I’ve had. I had an amazing graphic design teacher in high school that was personable and supportive. Then Tim Waggoner here at Sinclair was really groundbreaking for me in terms of expanding outside of what my writing could be,” Lala said. 

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Lala has cultivated a teaching philosophy rooted in support and engagement based on these inspirations.

 “I would say transparency, encouragement, empathy, and a hybrid of those three, as I try to transparently encourage the expression of students in every genre. I even try to apply creative writing concepts to academic writing because there is a strength in creativity that I really enjoy sharing, and I try to foster an open, respectful, and positive learning environment while asking what I can do for other students and the community; that’s always the goal and challenge,” Lala said.

She stands as a guiding light to aspiring writers everywhere, and the students who have her for the class are ensured to have a transformative experience as they discover themselves and their writing.  

Lala does more than teach creative writing. In addition to her job at the publishing company, she is actively working on the first novel in her romantic fantasy series, posting book reviews on her blog, and playing with graphic design on her website.  

With such a busy schedule, finding time for leisure seems almost impossible, yet Professor Lala manages to do so. She likes reading, spending time with her husband and friends, and taking long walks. Last year, she read over 70 books and created a top 10 reads list on her website, www.autumnlala.com.  

 If she weren’t teaching, Lala envisions a future in graphic design, guiding independent writers through the social media marketing landscape. ‘I may return to graphic design,’ she thinks. “I would try to start a business where I created social media marketing and campaign packages for indie authors. I have some marketing expertise and design experience; I would get a lot of satisfaction from that.” 

No matter what, Lala has an affinity for all things creative and loves sharing that knowledge with the world. Lala’s commitment to encouraging creativity and students’ success is a testament to Sinclair’s enduring excellence. As long as professors like her continue to inspire and challenge students, Sinclair will remain a place where learning flourishes and futures are shaped.

Noah Schlarman, Copy Editor