Adapted from guidelines kindly shared by Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom and Dr. Tricia Matthew. I highly recommend following both on Twitter and elsewhere.

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You'll find info about requesting that I serve as a job reference and about how to request a letter of recommendation on this page (scroll down!). Please email if you have a request that isn't covered here. If you are requesting a letter that is due in less than one month, please state that in your email. While I may be able to help, the closer the deadline is the less likely it is that I will be able to fit it into my schedule.
Job References
If you are applying for a job and would like to list me as a reference, please email me first to make sure that I can serve as a strong reference. Here’s what you should address when you email me your request:
- The position title, the posted required and desired qualifications, and a description of what you would be doing
- What experience, skills, and talents you would bring to this position
- What kind of information you think that I can provide your potential employer based on our interactions
- When you will be applying for the position
Please send me a copy of your latest resume/CV when requesting that I serve as a reference. It also helps to have a reminder of when you took my class(es), and which class(es) you took with me.
Please note that it is virtually impossible to reach me at my office number below. I live 3 hours from campus and am rarely there. I do receive voice mail from that number; however, it is best for potential employers to use email set up a time to speak with me. Over school breaks, I typically take 1-2 weeks away from email and will not be available to serve as a reference during those times.
Information You Will Need
- Name: Dr. Camille Freeman
- Title: Professor, Department of Nutrition and Herbal Medicine
- Employer: Maryland University of Integrative Health
- Address: 7750 Montpelier Rd., Laurel, MD 20723
- Phone: 410-888-9048
- e-mail: cfreeman <at> muih <dot> edu

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Letters of Recommendation
I know it can be intimidating to reach out to a former professor to request a recommendation letter. I love hearing from you and am happy to review all requests, even if it’s been a while since you took my class. Once you contact me with the information below, I’ll give you an honest assessment of whether I feel I can write a strong recommendation letter for you. If I don’t think that I can write a glowing letter that demonstrates strong familiarity with your work, I will likely recommend that you seek out another faculty member.
How will you know if you are a candidate for a strong letter from me?
- You excelled in one or more of my classes
- You made strong contributions to class discussions
- Your behavior in class and in any subsequent communication was professional (work was generally submitted on time and was of high-quality, communications with other students and/or our TA were respectful, etc.). Note that I do not equate “professional behavior” with “formality." It's entirely possible to behave professionally yet informally!
When you email me to request a recommendation letter, please include the following information:
- Which class(es) you took with me and when these took place (include the year and the trimester)
- Which program/position/credential you’re applying for
- The deadline(s) for the letter(s)
- A copy of your personal statement, cover letter or another piece of writing explaining why you’re pursuing this opportunity
After receiving all of this information, I’ll let you know whether I can write a strong letter for you. If your letter is due in less than one month, please understand that I may not be able to fit it into my schedule. If I've already agreed to write your letter, please view the Instructions for Recommendation Letters and follow the steps there.
Disclaimer
I often get numerous requests for letters at the end of the trimester, which is an extremely busy time for me. I agree to as many as I can, and if you are sending a last-minute request, particularly when a break is coming up, I may not be able to help. It is not because I don’t care; it is because I need to honor my commitment to my current students and to those who have already asked for letters.