TL;DR: The fastest way to reach me is to call 410-837-5473. If you email, please don’t just forward an old message and include who you are, your course, why you’re writing, and your student ID (if about advising). Clear and specific messages get the quickest and most helpful replies.
I really value clear, thoughtful communication. It helps me understand your question quickly and respond more effectively — and it saves both of us time and back-and-forth emails. The best way to chat with me is to just call 410-837-5473. I answer the phone and if I don’t, I’m either busy or away.
Here are some simple tips for the best way to reach me.
Mr. Walsh is my Dad.
You can call me Greg or Dr. Walsh.
Start with context.
Let me know who you are, what course you’re in, and why you’re writing.
Example:
Hi Dr. Walsh, I have a question about the storyboard assignment due next week in IDIA614.
Be specific.
Give enough detail so I can help without needing to ask clarifying questions.
Use a clear subject line.
A subject like “Storyboard Question — IDIA614” is much more helpful than “Help” or “Re: Last email.”
Include your student ID if asking about academic advising or enrollment.
This makes it much faster for me to look up your record and give you the right guidance.
Proofread before sending.
A quick review helps ensure your question is clear and professional.
Sign off clearly.
Always include your full name and course at the end of your message.
Don’t forward your last email with no explanation.
If I haven’t responded yet, it’s much more helpful to politely restate your question.
Don’t assume I remember every detail…even though I probably do.
I do my best to remember details, but a quick reminder or summary is always appreciated.
Don’t send attachments without context.
Always include a brief explanation in the email body.
Don’t use texting language.
Friendly and warm is encouraged, but please avoid text-style shorthand (like “hey prof, idk what’s up lol”).
Acting like I am an email-controlled robot.
You may not realize it, but, I have multiple duties at the University and while teaching is a priority, I can get sidetracked into other work.
I aim to respond within 72 hours on weekdays. Messages sent over the weekend, on holidays, or summer may take longer. If something is truly urgent, call me.
I genuinely want to help and support you. These guidelines make it easier for me to understand your question and get you a quicker, more useful answer.
Thanks for helping make our communication smooth and effective.