Faculty Spotlight: Richard Topolski, PhD

AU Online Teaching Excellence Award

Richard Topolski, PhD, a New York native, die-hard Buffalonian and professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences of Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, often jokes that Augusta has only one degree of separation, instead of the usual six. “Augusta has such a wonderful sense of community. If you just reach out and start a conversation with someone, you’ll realize they most likely know a few people you know.”

In fact, Topolski discovered that the Knox family in Augusta is related to the Knox family of his beloved Buffalo, New York, who used to own the Buffalo Sabers hockey team and were major donors to the Albright Knox Art Gallery, a gallery he frequented as a child and played a significant role in developing his interest in visual processing and illusions which, in turn, ignited his career in psychology.

During his undergraduate years at the University of Buffalo, its psychology department was one of the top departments in the world studying visual processing, and he considers himself lucky enough to engage in undergraduate research in two labs.

That experience led to a career as an experimental psychologist, a person who uses research to understand what influences human experiences, thought processes and behavior, and as a professor at Augusta University.

“I considered Augusta to be a place where I can make an impact at the university and the community,” Topolski said. “I appreciate the ability to express creativity in my research and teaching. I love the opportunity to positively impact students and others around me.”

While the psychology department is part of Pamplin, the winner of the AU Online Teaching Excellence Award has found his teaching niche online.

“I believe that online teaching allows students with busy schedules to receive an education when a traditional classroom setting is not a practical consideration,” Topolski said. “I appreciate the autonomy to alter my daily schedule to best serve students by working in the mornings, afternoons, evenings, and even on the weekends. I honestly don’t think I could effectively teach online if I treated it as a 9-to-5 job Monday through Friday.”

Although he teaches students online, Topolski believes it is vital to maintain a personal connection with his students to keep them engaged and motivated. He emails his students nearly every day and consistently meets with them on Teams.

“Hardly a day goes by when I’m not encouraging a student by saying ‘Hey now, you know you can do better than a 79. Get some fire in your belly, strive to be the best version of yourself you can be, and you’ll discover you will be much happier and fulfilled.’ I’m really moved when I can instill passion and life skills in my students.” 

Topolski is appreciative to have been nominated for the award by Pamplin Dean Kim Davies, PhD, and Tadd Patton, PhD, chair of the psychology department.

“I was somewhat reluctant to accept the nomination. I’m not a big fan of receiving personal recognition and favor junior faculty receiving awards,” he said. “That said, I am very grateful there are leaders like Dr. Patton and Dr. Davies who are incredibly collegial, supportive of their faculty and recognize their efforts.”

He continues to use his experiences as a child to expand the horizons of his students.

“Having benefited from those personal experiences at the Albright Knox Art Gallery, I still take students on experiential learning opportunities to the Morris Museum or High Museum of Art and have historically supported several dozens of students participating in undergraduate research under my guidance,” Topolski said. “I am very grateful to be in a position to share these experiences with students. While most students find these encounters highly educational, I am very cognizant that not every student will come away with the same level of wonder and awe I have. As one student lightheartedly stated in a course evaluation, this stuff is really interesting … IF you’re Dr. Topolski.”