Many students would feel nervous at the thought of their mother teaching their class. For Madelyn Rottkamp, that situation became a reality.

Maegan Mapes, Rottkamp’s mom, is a well-known professor of communication sciences and disorders (CSD) at Penn State. While some might find the dynamic unusual, it also highlights Mapes’s passion for her field.

Mapes completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh and later attended Ohio State for graduate school, two of Penn State’s biggest rivals.

“I know it’s a double whammy,” she said.

Inspired by her sorority sisters, Mapes enrolled in speech classes but quickly discovered they did not fit her personality. After observing audiology and learning about its technical side, she found her calling.

Before becoming a professor, Mapes spent 25 years working directly with patients. That real-world experience now shapes her teaching.

“I can bring stories and I can bring cases to the classroom because of the experiences I’ve had,” she said. “It’s fun to now be on the other side and get students excited about what they’re going to do in the future.”

Mapes’ favorite class to teach is an audiology practicum alongside Dr. Varun Patel. She especially enjoys mentoring students as they continue their education and head off to graduate school.

Rottkamp, a third-year CSD major, didn’t always know what she wanted to study. That changed after her mom suggested she try a speech class.

“It really got me invested,” Rottkamp said. “I love communicating with people, and it was great. I knew right away that that is what I was interested in.”

Growing up, Rottkamp often visited her mom’s office and realized audiology wasn’t for her. Although they share the same major, Rottkamp is pursuing a different track within CSD.

This past fall, Rottkamp and Mapes realized the unavoidable: Rottkamp would have to take a class that was only taught by her mom.

Both were initially stressed about sharing a classroom. Mapes worried other students might feel uncomfortable if they discovered their relationship.

“We have different last names, so we kind of tried to keep it a secret,” Mapes said. “In the beginning, I wouldn’t even call on her, even if she raised her hand. I wouldn’t make eye contact, and I wouldn’t walk into class with her.”

As the semester progressed and classmates began to realize they were mother and daughter, the two stopped trying to hide it and settled into a routine.

“Once we found our groove and we got more comfortable with each other, and I finally did start calling on her, she knew a lot of information. I was so happy,” Mapes said.

Mapes said it was rewarding to see her daughter show up prepared and engaged. She was pleasantly surprised by how often Rottkamp knew the answers. If nobody else knew the answer in class, she could always count on Rottkamp.

“It’s been so rewarding as a mom to watch her grow and evolve as a student,” Mapes said.

Rottkamp also had concerns at first. She never imagined her mom would be her professor and worried that their similar personalities might clash.

“I always participate in class,” Rottkamp said. “I wanted that to continue in her class and show her how I am as a student.”

Beyond that, Rottkamp enjoyed seeing a different side of her mom in the classroom.

“I always just saw her as a mom, so seeing her as a professional and watch her do her thing was awesome,” she said.

Their bond even showed in small ways. Mapes would sometimes leave a little snack or energy drink on Rottkamp’s desk, and the two would grab lunch together after class. Later in the semester, students would stay after class to hang out.

Outside of the classroom, Rottkamp works in a research lab for augmentative and alternative communication (ACC), which supports nonverbal individuals. In this lab, she and a few other girls work with local school districts to provide resources. She hopes to pursue medical speech pathology and work in a hospital setting.

Although speech and audiology are two very different paths, they go hand in hand with one another.

“Communication is about speech and hearing, not just one or the other,” Rottkamp said.

What once felt intimidating for both Mapes and Rottkamp turned into a meaningful and memorable experience.