For Computer and Information Technology (CIT) Professor Robert J. Plank, teaching technology is about more than keeping up with the latest devices, software or trends. It’s about preparing students to think critically, solve problems and adapt in a field that changes almost daily. 

“I want to get students excited, engaged and appreciate the benefits of an education that will last them a lifetime,” Plank said. 

That approach has made Plank a respected mentor in the CIT department at College of DuPage (COD), where he was recently named COD’s 2025-2026 Full-Time Outstanding Faculty member. The Outstanding Faculty Member Awards go to professors and advisers who go above and beyond in terms of their qualities and actions. 

“Personally, I’m excited, giddy and certainly happy to share with friends and family,” he stated. “I’d like to think I work hard, and, certainly, hard work eventually can pay off.” 

Long before entering the classroom full-time, Plank built a career in the tech industry. Drawn more to numbers, Plank studied finance at Illinois State University (ISU) before launching an IT business in the late 1990s. 

His introduction to teaching came years later through mentorship opportunities and volunteer work with students. In 2003, he began offering internships to COD students through his business, helping them gain practical experience. 

Through this program, he said, friends and family noticed a pattern. 

“They said, ‘Rob, if there is something you’re good at, it’s explaining technology in ways that make it easy to understand,” Plank said.  

After conversations with former CIT Department Chair Joanne Wagner about strengthening internship opportunities for students, Wagner encouraged him to consider teaching. 

“At the end of the meeting, kind of like in “The Avengers,” she threw some papers in the air and said, ‘You should teach here,’” Plank recalled. “And so my teaching career kind of started serendipitously, but I’ve always liked the idea. So when that opportunity came, I jumped onto it.” 

Through this encouragement, Plank joined COD as an adjunct instructor in 2013 before becoming a full-time faculty member in 2016. 

In the classroom, Plank described his teaching style as hands-on, energetic and rooted in real-world problem solving. Rather than relying solely on lectures or videos, he prefers getting students actively involved with teaching.

“Today’s class, we did a lab where we worked with computers, took them apart, and I was tired at the end of the morning class because I’m running around from station to station,” he said with a laugh. “Things don’t always go as smooth as you hope when you plan them out.” 

Instead of avoiding those imperfect moments, Plank embraces them as a part of the learning process. 

“I think part of my strength is my desire to get my hands dirty with my students and go above and beyond,” he said. “Beyond just talking about computers or even watching videos, let’s actually explore the computer. Touch it, work with it. We might break it, but that’s okay.” 

Plank also makes a point of exposing students to the realities of working in technology, where troubleshooting and adaptability are just as important as technical knowledge.

“I don’t want them to come away from this class just knowing computer components,” he said. “I want them to understand the big picture because if they get out there and it doesn’t go like they expected, they have those critical thinking skills to pivot and figure out what they need to do to get it fixed.”

As technology continues to expand and Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to advance, Plank said he utilizes AI in a respectable manner. 

“My goal when it comes to teaching is to continuously improve and make things better, and I will lean on AI to help me,” he stated. “I see opportunities going forward when I can lean on AI to create my own interactive content that students can work with and participate in ways I think are more engaging than just me talking or showing videos and infographics.” 

Even after years of teaching, Plank continues to refine his own skills. He recently completed a master’s degree in instructional design from Western Governors University (WGU), hoping to better understand how students learn and how he can create more engaging classroom experiences.

“I want to make sure the cognitive skills my students pick up can come through in the best possible way,” he said.

For Plank, the most rewarding moments often come long after students leave his classroom. Hearing from former students who have gone on to successful careers reminds him of why he chose teaching in the first place.

“You’re kind of planting the seed, you’re fertilizing, watering and then ideally, they bloom and grow,” he said. “It leads to great things for them.”

Outside the classroom, Plank enjoys bike riding, pickleball, softball, basketball, hiking and traveling. Recently, he added an electric bike to his collection, appreciating “a little assist once in a while” on longer rides and steep hills.

As he approaches his 10th year as a full-time faculty member at COD, Plank said he remains grateful for the opportunities and relationships he has built at the college.

“This is a great place to work. I thoroughly enjoy what I do,” he said. “The overall environment is great, and I think we have some great new leadership with Dr. Siddiqui, which I’m excited about.”

For Plank, teaching has always been about more than simply explaining technology. It is about helping students gain the confidence and practical skills they need long after they leave the classroom.

“At the end of the day, success comes down to engaging and preparing students with practical skills they’ll carry into their careers,” he said.