Kaylee Tegan

Kaylee Tegan’s path to teaching at CSI actually started as a student sitting in a CSI communication class herself. After taking COMM 101 during her freshman year, Kaylee became fascinated by how much goes into something we do every day. That class led her to major in communication, join CSI’s Speech and Debate team, and eventually decide she wanted to become a college professor. Before graduating from CSI in 2020, she even told her professors she planned to come back and work alongside them someday.

In Fall 2024, she did just that!

Today, Kaylee teaches Fundamentals of Oral Communication and Critical Thinking and Argumentation and co-teaches Speech and Debate with head coach Andy Orr. Her classes are collaborative and discussion-based, giving students plenty of opportunities to participate, share their perspectives, and apply what they are learning to real situations.

Kaylee especially enjoys teaching students from different majors and backgrounds and watching them realize why communication matters to their own goals. Whether they are learning to speak in front of a group, evaluate an argument, actively listen, or communicate across different situations, she wants students to leave with more confidence in their own voice.

Outside of CSI, Kaylee enjoys riding horses, playing volleyball, spending time with family and friends, and cheering on the Detroit Lions. She also spent 10 years competing in rodeo queen competitions, which is actually where she got her start in public speaking.

Her advice to students: find mentors, stay curious, and take the opportunity to build your communication skills. They’ll follow you into just about any career.