Typically professors host their office hours in class or over Zoom.
Not William Stewart.
The San Diego City College philosophy professor is often seen eating in the cafeteria with a table full of students on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Stewart brings a casual tone to office hours.
Conversations with his students often include any topic, and talking feels like a casual conversation between friends.
Stewart’s non-traditional style connects with students through the juxtaposition of what a typical professor is like.
Dianna Elbadawi, a global health major, has been attending his office hours since fall 2021 even though she isn’t enrolled in his philosophy classes anymore.
“He’s created such an amazing influence and inspiration for allowing us to learn about information despite not enrolling in his class,” Elbadawi said.
Stewart, challenging the traditional stereotype of a college professor, expands beyond his office hours.
During class, Stewart can be seen teaching in a full suit and tie, which contrasts with his approachable, goofy personality. He describes this as an attempt to balance the two for his students.
“I dress the way I dress because I believe it’s out of respect for my students,” Stewart said. “If I were to dress up because the king of England was coming, why wouldn’t I dress up for you?”
For Graham Williams, a philosophy major, not being enrolled in his class doesn’t stop him from sitting in on the lectures, as his love for the topic has continuously drawn him back.
“I like his examples in the way he engages with the class, and I feel like he kind of fosters a friendly, open environment,” Williams said. “Where people are comfortable to be themselves and say what they want in a constructive way. I really enjoy being in that kind of environment.”
Stewart began teaching at UC San Diego, USD and San Diego State.
Stewart said that when it came to him teaching at City originally, he did it as a favor.
“A colleague of mine got a sabbatical, and he asked me if I would cover his class at City College,” Stewart said.
Although he had never taught at a community college before, Stewart took the challenge and ended up falling in love with the campus in the process.
“In every way humanly possible, you have a diverse population here,” Stewart said. “And for a philosophy class, there could be nothing richer than having a classroom that is cross-pollinated with all those different perspectives.”
Since then, Stewart has been teaching at City College full-time and his 40th teaching anniversary will be this spring.
The classes he has taught have led him to develop lasting connections with students like Ebadawi and Williams.
When it comes to teaching, it isn’t just about money for him. Stewart explained that teaching for him is to share his love and passion for Philosophy with the students he wants to uplift for the future.
“If a teacher can successfully communicate that you matter and that you’re worthwhile and capable, then your prospects for success, I think, are huge,” Stewart said. “I’m teaching because I care about my students.”
This story was edited by Tresean Osgood and David J. Bohnet.
