English Professor Jeffery Gard
For many, especially for students in college, career changes are daunting. But for Jeffery Gard, an English instructor in his first year at DMACC, the decision to leave behind the rigid structure of corporate life and pursue the college world was a significant change for the better. With a Ph.D. in English from Northern Illinois University, Gard has spent the last 15 years teaching composition, embracing curiosity, creativity, and connection with students.
Originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, Gard’s early career path wasn’t in education. He was a part of the business world, writing procedures for customer service operations and engaging in freelance work for websites. However, the rigidly structured and highly monitored corporate environment left him unfulfilled. “I was so bored. I hated my job,” Gard recalls. “I lived in a cubicle that was smaller than what you’re seeing right here with shorter walls. And day to day, literally our supervisors were tracking everything that we did throughout the day… down to bathroom breaks.”
The repetition of corporate life pushed Gard to seek something more meaningful. His wife, a teacher herself, encouraged him to pursue a career in education. Initially reluctant (especially at the thought of teaching high school), he was intrigued by the possibility of teaching at the college level. The transition required him to leave his job, earn a master’s degree, and eventually a Ph.D., but the moment he stepped into the classroom as a teaching assistant, he knew he had found his calling. “I loved it. I loved it because I didn’t feel trapped,” he says.
Switching from a year-round corporate schedule to an academic calendar provided Gard with a newfound sense of freedom. “In the corporate world, you’re on all year round, and maybe you’re lucky to get two weeks off,” he explains. “But in academia, I get to set my own schedule, focus on projects that matter, and invest my time into something I genuinely enjoy.” However, the transition wasn’t without its struggles, as returning to school full-time meant taking a significant financial hit, but for Gard, the investment was worth it.
Beyond teaching composition, Gard has a deep passion for writing, particularly in the realm of flash fiction. Flash fiction refers to short stories under 1,000 words, often as short as 25 words.
“It’s a little bit like poetry in that every word you write matters,” he explains. His background in journalism, where being efficient with words is key, played a huge role in shaping his writing style. Inspired by authors like Ernest Hemingway, whom he admired for what he called economical storytelling, Gard began writing and submitting flash fiction pieces. To his surprise, many were published. “There are even contests you can enter online,” he notes.
His work has appeared in publications such as Reflex Fiction, Flash Fiction Magazine, and Havoc Publishing, with many of his stories falling into the speculative fiction genre, encompassing science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Even with dabbling in various other novels and longer works, Gard finds flash fiction the most satisfying medium. “If you’re busy all the time, and professors usually are, you can write one a day. If you’re writing a novel, that takes months, maybe years,” he says. The fast-paced nature of flash fiction allows him to quickly generate stories and receive feedback, something that appeals to both his creative instincts and his busy schedule.
In the classroom, Gard fosters a philosophy centered on trust and curiosity. With the rise of AI and concerns over academic integrity, he chooses to approach students with open communication rather than immediate suspicion, saying, “I would rather trust my students and work with them than constantly suspect them of cheating.”
He also takes a flexible approach to deadlines, understanding that students juggle various responsibilities outside the classroom. “Students are adults. They have jobs, families, and sometimes emergencies. I’d rather treat them as peers and trust that they want to do the work.”
Gard’s emphasis on curiosity extends beyond his own writing and into his teaching style. He aims to cultivate a sense of wonder and exploration in his students, believing that curiosity leads to lifelong learning.
“If you’re not curious about anything in your work, why continue to learn?” he asks. He encourages students to explore different genres and formats, embracing everything from classic literature to graphic novels.
In regards to favorite writers, Gard finds it nearly impossible to pick just one. “People ask, ‘What’s your favorite book?’ and I think, ‘Well, my favorite book is the one I read last week that I really liked,’” he says, laughing.
He tends to be drawn toward science fiction and fantasy, with authors like Becky Chambers and Tamsyn Muir standing out in his recent reading list. But Gard said he appreciates everything from Shakespeare to contemporary graphic novels.
As for advice to students, Gard keeps it simple: “Don’t settle and be curious.”
He emphasizes the importance of choosing a career based on passion rather than financial incentives. “Don’t pick a major or a career just because you think it’s going to make a lot of money. Pick something you’re genuinely interested in. If you’re good at it, the money will come,” he advises. “And always stay curious … about your world, your work, and the people around you. It keeps your mind young and makes you adaptable.”
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