His teaching style remains authentically human. He describes himself as approachable, accommodating and someone who uses humour to create a welcoming learning environment, particularly for adult learners who arrive to class after long workdays. His goal is to motivate students to give their full effort and create a positive shared experience.
A teaching philosophy rooted in care
Dr. Demps’s philosophy on education was shaped long before his academic career began. He traces it back to his grandmother, a pioneering educator who taught in a desegregated classroom in Jacksonville, Florida. From her, he learned a lesson that continues to guide every interaction with students: “You cannot teach someone anything without having them know that you love them first.”
He also learned a valuable lesson from his parents: that success comes with responsibility. “Once you get to where you're going, you always reach back and try to pull somebody else up. Don't pull up that ladder.”
Dr. Demps is someone who walks alongside students and other faculty members, guiding the way forward. He considers himself a tour guide, someone who helps students navigate ideas while remaining open to learning from them in return.
“It's a symbiotic relationship. One can't exist without the other. I can't teach unless there's somebody listening. And I can't learn from them unless I'm willing to listen.”
Advice for prospective students
Attending university requires commitment, and Dr. Demps believes that students get out of it what they put into it. It’s that effort that propels a life-changing journey.
“You're supposed to be a different person when you go through university. You're not supposed to be the same. You're supposed to be fundamentally different.”
The support is there, he says. The resources are there. What’s required is self-belief and the willingness to move past doubt.
Fear is a common barrier for people considering applying to university. Fear of failure. Fear of not belonging. Fear of not being able to manage it all. But Dr. Demps challenges prospective students to ask themselves: “What great thing would you try to accomplish if you knew you would not fail?”
Dr. Demps understands that growth doesn’t always come easily, but he insists: “Everything has its time. Be patient. There's a season for everything.”
Meeting students where they are
One of Dr. Demps’ favourite parts of working at UFred happens outside the virtual classroom. He makes a point of attending student and alumni mixers across Canada, traveling coast to coast to connect with learners in person.
From Vancouver to Halifax and nearly everywhere in between, these events allow him to meet the real students behind the screens. While students often express excitement about meeting him, he’s quick to flip the script.
“Meeting our students and alumni is an honour. And it seems like they're excited to meet me, but they don't understand. I'm more excited to meet them.”
The man beyond the title
Outside of academia, Dr. Demps is grounded by the things that bring him joy: fishing, video games, science fiction and martial arts. At the centre of his life is family.
He describes himself as deeply family-oriented and very much in love with his wife (his high school sweetheart) with whom he recently celebrated 30 years of marriage. When he talks about his son, Troy, his pride is unmistakable. “It's like having your heartbeat walk outside of your chest every single day.”
When asked one lesson Dr. Demps learned the hard way, it’s that not everyone who encourages you has your best interests at heart, and not every setback is a loss.
“Everyone who pats you on your back is not your friend. Everybody who puts you down is not your enemy. Those who wish you harm are actually playing a role in your life. They're there for a purpose. They’re going into the building of who I am right now.”
And who Dr. Demps is now is truly inspiring.
