Hi Melanie, I really like this approach in developing rapport with your students. The personal interest of an authority figure is very important to students. For the older students they see a person that cares about their success and will help them achieve their career goals. For the younger students the instructor is someone that be a source of networking and career development. No matter the age of students nor their experiences both groups like to know they are accepted into the class and have an instructor with whom they can talk and share ideas. Gary