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“I love the chili contest. Especially the hot ones.”

When we go to interviews, we come ready with questions. For this one, at the last moment we added “what is your favorite food from Culinary?”

Soheyl Missaghi has been an instructor at ���ϲ����� since 1991, when he accepted an English faculty position pending completion of his master’s thesis.

“Some people might think I came over on a horse,” he joked. “It wasn’t a horse and carriage.”

Teaching runs in his family. His dad was a professor at the University of Tehran in Iran, and Missaghi grew up hearing about academics over the dinner table. He knew he wanted to do something where he could interact with other people in a live setting, and he tried many different things, including computer science. Ultimately he got his graduate degree in English rhetoric to teach.

He was finishing up his thesis when he applied for the open faculty position at St. Cloud Technical College, at that time. He’s been here ever since.

“I love my job. I still do.”

Traditionally he’s taught Analytical Writing classes, but he’s branched out—now he also teaches Middle Eastern Cultures and Middle Eastern Literature, both of which he created.

Prior to covid, he would take his students to local restaurants and try Middle Eastern food, listen to music, and experience the culture as part of the class curriculum. Now he teaches primarily online, but he still tries to capture the spirit of experiencing different parts of the world. It’s something he does want to bring back. “I loved doing that, for them to really experience the area through food.”

The field trips are just one example of how Missaghi takes his work seriously but also tries to lighten the atmosphere and has fun as the topic allows. “Writing, traditionally, is not the most exciting skill to teach, so we try to make the best of it and stay on top of things.”

For now, he plans to continue teaching some online classes, and he has some advice for online students:

• It helps to stop by campus from time to time to understand the complete college experience, though he recognizes limitations and scheduling issues.
• ���ϲ����� has many ways to enjoy college life, including the “wonderful library.”
• There are many supports available for students if they need it, both online and in person.

“Ultimately, our purpose is for students to really empower themselves and realize that they have the power to make a difference and make the world a better place,” said Missaghi. “I know it sounds like a cliché, but no matter what you’re into, being a loving human being – that is at the center of everything. I hope that in every way, we can help our students become the best they can be.”

As a long-time instructor, Missaghi’s seen his fair share of students and changes over the years. He mentioned that ���ϲ����� is in a fortunate location, close to the Twin Cities yet also surrounded by rural communities. The juxtaposition of different cultures, lifestyles, economies, agricultures, industries, etc. “brings such a depth of richness and beauty to our school.”

Missaghi is always impressed by the work ethic and the willingness students bring with them to succeed. It's no wonder he wants to share more of the world with his students, bring them to restaurants to try new foods, and provide spaces for connection.

“Liberal arts really take you outside of your own limitations and show you your world in which you live and help you experience things, learn about life, and undoubtedly make you a more effective person: at work, in your neighborhood, as parents, you name it. You become a well-rounded individual.”

For nearly 35 years, Missaghi has been showing students worlds outside their own, thanks to supportive colleagues and a college that gives him flexibility. The best part of working at ���ϲ�����, of course, has always been and always will be the students. And anything that resembles a kebab.