Staff Profile

Staff Profile

Yusef Hayes
Cultural Arts Department
Danvers DB-367B
yhayes@northshore.edu

Degrees:
San Francisco State University: M.A.
Humboldt State University: B.A.

Yusef Hayes

Associate Professor
Cultural Arts

Relocating from California, Associate Professor Yusef Hayes has found a marked similarity between his California and Massachusetts students, "Both on the East Coast and the West Coast I appreciate the excitement and energy that students bring to the interaction," said Hayes.

'Interaction' is a fundamental part of his courses, as he teaches communications – Public Speaking and Interpersonal Communication. Hayes feels that the joy of teaching communications courses is the process of helping the students uncover and refine what they already know. "The students bring a lifetime of communication experience with them to my classes," acknowledged Hayes. "Lately, I have been very excited about encouraging students to use their voices and bodies to advocate for causes they are passionate about."

Students admire and relate to Hayes slightly unconventional style. He encourages students to express themselves by having his classes arrange their desks in a circle. "I try to facilitate as intimate an environment as possible in the classroom. Having us all in a circle seems to help create an open, inclusive, and democratic interaction."

The advisor to NSCC's Muslim Student Association, Hayes also teaches two courses in religion, Great Religions of the World, and Understanding Islamic Faith. He acknowledges that teaching seems to have been a part of his life path long before he realized it. Hayes credits many mentors who have helped him, both at North Shore Community College, in Arkansas, and in California. He especially thanks one of his professors at San Francisco State University, Gust Yep. "He really inspired me to think deeply and with great discipline and helped me become comfortable using communication theory in the classroom, in research, and in life," recalls Hayes.