How Instructors Nikki Mantyla and Eric Riddle Bring Dignity into the Classroom
At Colorado Mesa University, English Instructors Nikki Mantyla and Eric Riddle, PhD, have found innovative ways to integrate the university's core values into their teaching. By using tools like the Dignity Index — a self-reflection framework for promoting respectful and empathetic communication — Mantyla and Riddle encourage students to embrace dignity, resilience and empathy. Their approach aligns with CMU's mission to develop socially responsible individuals and reflects the university's commitment to fostering personal growth within a Human Scale University environment.
Mantyla’s journey to CMU and her approach to teaching have been profoundly shaped by her roots in a family of educators, which instilled in her a deep commitment to student-centered learning. Riddle, meanwhile, was inspired by his own transformative college experience, which fueled his desire to mentor students in the same way his professors once guided him.
Teaching with Intention
For both English instructors, teaching goes far beyond the mechanics of writing. Mantyla approaches lesson planning with an intentional, holistic perspective, asking herself where her students need to be by semester’s end and how to best guide them. Recognizing the multiple challenges students face, she consciously engages them in a way that respects their unique perspectives.
“I see their lives reflected in the expressions and energy they bring,” she said, referring to the deeper, human side of teaching that is easy to overlook.
From the start of the semester, Mantyla introduces her students to campus values, using the Dignity Index as a foundational tool to build empathy and self-awareness. She encourages students to consider the power of their words on others, recognizing the humanity in everyone they interact with.
Riddle approaches his role in a similar way. Having discovered his passion for teaching during his undergraduate studies, Riddle sees his classroom as a space where students can critically examine their beliefs while learning to communicate with respect and empathy. Riddle uses the Dignity Index in the classroom to encourage students to articulate their perspectives with confidence while embracing the diverse viewpoints of their peers.
“The main point is to make sure you’re treating each other as people who are valuable and worthy of respect, even if they disagree with you,” Riddle said.
The Power of the Dignity Index
This shared commitment to utilizing the Dignity Index in class aligns seamlessly with CMU’s core values. The Dignity Index offers students a tangible way to understand how respect and contempt differ, illustrating the nuance of effective, respectful communication. Mantyla incorporates textbooks like They Say, I Say to teach students how to acknowledge opposing perspectives — a concept closely aligned with the principles of the Dignity Index.
Both instructors encourage students to express their thoughts respectfully and constructively, promoting an environment where students experience belonging and can discuss ideas openly, and even disagree, while still extending dignity to one another.
“It’s a good reminder that we grow when we interact with people who don’t agree with us,” Riddle said. “It helps us avoid the echo chamber.”
For Mantyla, dignity isn’t just a concept to discuss, but a value to live by. Observing how her students adapt the principles of the Dignity Index into their own lives, she’s noticed a transformation in classroom dynamics.
“I’ve seen a greater sense of community,” Mantyla noted.
Transforming Classroom Culture
The discussions in Mantyla’s classes often explore how dignity extends beyond face-to-face interactions, impacting digital communication as well. Recognizing the complexities of online discourse, she encourages students to be mindful of their tone and word choice, prompting them to consider how their messages might be received. This type of awareness-building assignment helps students recognize the value of empathy in both personal and professional settings.
In Riddle’s classes, critical thinking and self-reflection are central to the learning process, encouraging students to dig deeper into their own beliefs and the reasoning behind them.
“I want them to be able to voice their opinions and disagree, to help them solidify why they believe what they believe,” he explained.
Mantyla uses historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi as models of leaders who communicated with respect and dignity in the face of great challenges. This inspires students to understand that dignity isn’t just about being treated well; it’s also about recognizing the intrinsic value of others, even when it’s not reciprocated. By fostering this resilience, students are prepared to navigate difficult conversations, both at CMU and beyond.
A Community of Values
Their teaching approaches reflect a broader culture-building effort at CMU, one in which students and faculty actively engage with the university’s values. The dedication to these values echoes the commitment of CMU’s administration, with President John Marshall himself frequently emphasizing the importance of dignity, respect and empathy across campus. Mantyla recalls a student’s comment about President Marshall’s genuine care for students — “CMU is so great; you can tell President Marshall really cares about us.” — a testament to the university’s leadership in modeling these values from the top down.
“These values are lived from the top to the bottom. We’re not expecting something of our students that isn’t modeled by President Marshall,” Mantyla said.
With CMU’s largest freshman class entering this year, the integration of these principles is especially timely. For many students, this is their first exposure to a community where love, dignity, resilience and power are championed as foundational values. Riddle and Mantyla embrace the opportunity to contribute to this culture, noting that even seemingly small interactions contribute to a welcoming and values-driven environment.
By bringing CMU’s mission to life, Mantyla and Riddle not only equip their students with essential writing skills but also empower them to become thoughtful, compassionate communicators. Through their approach, they cultivate a respectful community in their classrooms, helping students recognize the power of dignity in all areas of life — a lesson that will benefit them long after they leave CMU.