Faculty Spotlight: Amber Routh

Richard S. Wallace Distinguished Service Award

For Amber Routh, senior lecturer in the Department of Communication in the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, helping students and her community is her top priority.  

“My life goal is to contribute to human flourishing in my local community,” Routh said. “I do this through mentoring individuals and equipping them to also become contributors to the community. I especially appreciate Pamplin and the Department of Communication because I find many students there want to impact their local communities and that my work there has opened doors for service to students and the community.” 

The Virginia native said she has a passion for first-generation students, low-income background students, international students and neurotypical students or those with anxiety.  

“I grew up in a low-income family with parents in nonprofessional fields,” she said. “I’ve worked extensively with inner-city youth from challenging backgrounds. I spent five years in Hengyang, China, where many students came from farming families. I volunteered extensively with a welfare center for abandoned children – many with disabilities. I have had close relationships throughout my life with autistic, ADHD, dyslexic and anxious individuals. 

“I love Augusta University for its effectiveness at providing upward social mobility for underprivileged students,” she added. 

Routh serves her students and the community mostly through out-of-class mentorship.  

“If I can give one to three hours of my time and expertise to significantly change someone’s life course, I see that as a good return on investment,” she said.  

Since the spring of 2020, Routh has managed the internship program, mentoring students in internships, conducting site visits and working with internship supervisors. She also manages all incoming correspondence from organizations interested in hosting communication interns and advises them by email, phone and in-person, both for sites eligible for academic credit and those who aren’t.  

“An exciting element is now former students are internship supervisors; last semester I sat down with such a former student for over an hour at his site, talking not only about how to improve his new internship program but advising on his future career goals,” she said. “I love when the former students I’ve helped become community partners helping the next generation of students.” 

Now in her 11th year at Augusta University, Routh thrives on helping new students reach their goals and be successful in the workforce.   

“I don’t help students for an award, but I appreciate my colleagues who nominated me,” she said about winning the award. “I feel honored to join the ranks of past Wallace winners – many of whom I admire.”