UNITY – Dr. Mitchell Thomashow, the president of Unity College, has always believed in leading by example. That’s why this fall he went back into the classroom — or under a tree, by a brook, in a field.

Every Wednesday evening, the president is simply the professor teaching a nature and music class either at the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts, or outside in a natural environment.

Why would a busy college president feel it important to head back to class? “I wanted to find a way to get closer to the students,” Thomashow said this week. “It is a great way to get to know the college.”

When he took over the leadership of Unity College in July 2006, Thomashow vowed to stay close to teaching. “A recent survey of college presidents revealed the activity they are most engaged in is teaching, but most teach outside their own schools.”

Thomashow said that it is not important or desirable to “always be in role.”

“The kids here are very authentic, hands-on, active learners,” he said. “They really value education. By teaching music and nature, I’m teaching a lifelong skill. Wherever you are, any time, any place, you can take pleasure in sound.”

Right on cue, he whips a guitar out of its case and strums a few notes in his office, showing how one of his classes dissects sounds. “This is so challenging, so intriguing,” he said.

For his first class, Thomashow and his 13 students took a silent, hour-long walk to observe the sounds in nature. Last week they had a tabla, or Indian drum, demonstration. Other classes included a concert of Asian music and a long-term project of making an instrument from natural materials.

“Hands-on learning is not just for one type of student,” Thomashow said. “It is a great way to elicit engagement. We now have a generation of learners for whom reading and certain kinds of schooling are not as customary as 20 to 30 years ago. A good way to adjust to that is through direct engagement.”

Unity College, which has an enrollment of about 560 students, focuses on environmental and natural resources education. Students typically wear work boots and flannel shirts. Holding classes outdoors is often the norm.

“We are very relaxed around here, but we treat each other with great respect,” he said, who has no problem with his students referring to him by his first name. “I think Unity College prides itself on its relationship with its students.”

There is a 13-1 ratio of students to teachers. “That makes for an intimate atmosphere,” Thomashow said. “And that’s important.”

Thomashow admits to being an abstract learner. “But my experience is that most students, especially in the environmental field, are much more inspired to learn with direct experience. It facilitates the questions.”

Thomashow said Unity College is built on the national movement of “No Child Left Inside.”

“We are here to help students discover they can trust direct experiences, and when they add reflection and analysis it is the means to something deeper.”

His educational approach and one-on-one method of dealing with students are garnering praise from those taking his class.

“Mitch brings a real passion for music and learning to each of our sessions and is constantly encouraging students to open their minds to the diversity of the world around them – musically and otherwise,” said student Meg Anderson. “His informal approach to a seminar setting certainly makes me feel comfortable and willing to open myself up … ,” she said. “You don’t hear students saying ‘Dr. Thomashow’ too often. In the case of the music and nature class, the students respect Mitch because he is a knowledgeable musician and a fellow music lover, not just because he’s the president.”

Susan Truzo added that knowing how busy Thomashow is makes the students in his class feel special. “We all know that Mitch is a really busy guy and it makes us feel valued that a small handful of students are a priority to him,” Truzo said.

That plays into what Thomashow wants for Unity College’s future. “My view is to approach excellence in everything we do. I think there are a lot of colleges that get big before they are ready,” he said.