Men's track athlete Justin Adams and Maj. Janelle Gornick

About Justin Adams: 

• Senior
• Distance runner
• Native of Bohannon, Virginia

About Maj. Gornick: 

• Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology 
• Owns a B.A. (Psychology & Sociology), M.A. (Experimental Psychology), and Ph.D. (Experimental Psychology) all from the University of Montana in Missoula
• Has been teaching for 12 years, the last three of which have been at VMI

Justin Adams and Maj. Gornick

         Q&A with Justin Adams:

• What did you like most about Maj. Gornick's class? I had Major Gornick for Leadership and Organizations my sophomore year, and did a year-long independent study with her last year (junior year). I found that she really challenges you as a student. Challenging in a way to where you want to show her what you can do. It allowed me to excel in to dimensions never thought possible.
•  What makes Maj. Gornick a good teacher? What makes Major Gornick a good teacher is that she cares about the success of every student, and allows every student ample opportunity to succeed in the classroom.
• What is something you’re involved in outside of class and sports that we may not know? I am involved in training of and preparing new freshman cadets (also known as Rats) to endure life and succeed as VMI cadets. I also am part of the Psychology club. It is a club geared to getting VMI cadets interested in the field of psychology with a twist of fun as well.
• How do you manage academics, athletics and a social life? What is your key to good time management? Make a list of what you have to do each week. See what time is going to be taken for school work, pencil in your 20+ hour dedication to NCAA per week, and then set whatever time is left (if any) for something you enjoy. I try to make personal time in my schedule to bereave myself from the daily stressors as a VMI cadet.
• What is your favorite spot on post? The Corps Physical Training Facility (which is also our indoor track facility). It is like my home down there. I come down day in and day out to let all my stresses go and go out and be with my teammates. Whether it’s a daily practice or a big home meet, I love what the atmosphere brings to me and my emotions.
• What is the most important skill you've learned through participation in your sport? How to be a leader. I love making a positive impact on my teammates’ lives by helping them or encouraging them any way I can. I believe that really helped the positive culture our team has attained over the last couple of years.
• Do you have any nicknames? Or if you could choose your own, what would it be and why? Flash, because no matter what I do in life, I always seem to be doing it rather fast. Whether it be running, school work, or whatever the case may be. VMI keeps you on your toes in that regard.
• What are your plans post grad? I am commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, and going to go into the Missile Operations career field.
  
  Q&A with Maj. Gornick:
• What was it like having Justin in your class? Justin is an exceptionally dedicated student. I first met him when he took my Leadership in Organizations course spring semester of 2018. This course is central to VMI’s goal of developing well rounded, knowledgeable leaders and Justin did extremely well. In fact, when he requested mentorship in an Independent Research course I was happy to give him the opportunity (breaking my own rule requiring students to work in my research lab for a semester before tackling an independent project). Overall, I am very proud of everything he learned, technical research and about himself, throughout his Independent Research experience.   
• What is your favorite sport or hobby? What do you like to do in your free time? So many hobbies! Most can be considered extremely nerdy: Reading, knitting, playing Dungeons & Dragons and board games, painting, and spending time with my corgi.  
• How often are you able to watch your student-athletes compete? It has been one of my goals to attend more often, and more variety of athletic competitions. I was lucky enough last semester to make it to a football game, a swim meet, a riffle match and a women’s soccer game. I really wanted to make it to a track meet this semester.   
• What’s your favorite spot on post? This is a tricky question with all the improvements and construction at VMI. I do enjoy my office. Before the construction, I really liked visiting the library and am really excited for the changes being made. The Hall of Valor, where VMI displays shadowboxes with alumni military honors, is also a very special place, especially when it is quiet. 
• What is your favorite thing about teaching? 100%, hands down, VMI students are amazing people. I’m in a unique position teaching VMI’s leadership science course. The chance to get to know so many students, from every major, is an honor. I really enjoy reading their examples relating leadership theories to experiences in their own lives.
• What would students be surprised to find out about you? I’m not sure… One of the requirements for the leadership course is for students to take and interpret a lot of psychological self-assessments. I then read all of their results and reflections. It’s only fair, that I give them my results as well (usually as an example of how to interpret their own). An unintended side-effect is a level of authenticity not typical in other courses. What surprises 19-22 year olds these days?
• What is one class your schools offers that you wish you could take? Comparative Religions, as I never got to take that as a sociology major when I was in college. I would also enjoy any/all of the International Studies classes or any of the German courses offered that pertain to WWII.

About Classroom Connections: In its second year, Classroom Connections is a weekly feature that showcases student-athletes away from the playing field and highlights the relationship between student-athlete and professor.