Intructor Profile: Rong Li

TEACHER PROFILE:

Rong LiPhotos & Story | Rachel Wilson

Hutchinson Community College welcomed a new teacher to Shears Technology Center in August.

“I like (it) here, the campus is not so big, but the people here are so nice,” Rong Li, Computer Science Instructor, said.

Although she is new to HutchCC, she is not new to Kansas.

“I have been in (the) US for almost 15 years,” Li said. “To study the first time, then I met my husband, actually he was my classmate at that time, and then we decided to stay here and start to build our own family here.”

Li is originally from Beijing, China, but currently lives in Wichita and commutes daily.

“Everyday I spend two hours on the road, but It’s ok, I like my job,” Li said.

Li is passionate about her education.

“I have two masters degrees, (the) first in marketing and management, I got from (the) UK. (The) second is in Computer Science and Networking from Wichita State University,” Li said.

She currently teaches courses including Computer Engineering, Data Structure and Algorithm, and Website Coding on the HutchCC campus, as well as Microcomputer Applications online and in-person. Her classes take place in Shears Technology Center.

“Since I graduated, actually I was pregnant before I graduated. And I continued my Ph.D. program for one year after I graduated then I decided to stop for awhile. During these days, I didn’t do any full-time work, but some only part-time work, until I found this job. I was a full-time mom, and that’s pretty hard work, I guess I did it very well. And now, my kids are all grow(n) up, it is the time for me to build my own career,” Li said.

Li is a devoted wife and mother and her children and family are very important to her.

“I have three kids, my ten year old girl, Liv, my five year old girl, Emma, and my little son, Shannon,” said Li. “When I am free, I would like to spend time with my kids and family.”

Li highlights things she enjoys doing with her family in her spare time.

“I like cooking, and shar(ing) delicious food with my family and friends,” she said.

Her other interests include reading, traveling, and playing tennis and golf. On campus, Li plans to extend her knowledge of computer science to the students of HutchCC.

“I am passion(ate) about learning new things, I never stop(ped) learning,” said Li.

Photo | Rachel Wilson Rong Li, Computer Science Instructor, studies her notes at her desk while giving her Computer Engineering class a 10-minute break.

Photo | Rachel Wilson Li uses the white board to illustrate Computer Engineering concepts. She also used PowerPoint to relay information to her students. Photo | Rachel Wilson Li discusses the properties of sum of products and product of sums in her Computer Engineering class, challenging her students to use what they’ve learned.

Photo | Rachel Wilson Li studies in her office, preparing notes and a lesson plan for her classes. Li is thorough and well-versed when it comes to teaching computer sciences.