Testimonials
Testimonials from Former Students
"Thank you, Professor. You made me understand that there is beauty in tragedy, hope in sadness and a home in a strange place; we must go on our own adventures. We all felt like a soldier lost at war or a child eager to grow up. Writing can teach something about ourselves that we never knew.”
Adam S.
"Thank you for everything this semester! It was a very hard semester because of coronavirus. . . I was freaking out a little. I couldn’t have asked for a better professor to help me get through the semester. Thank you for everything. I hope all is well and I hope you have a great summer. I hope you stay safe from this coronavirus."
Shelby P.
"Thank you so much for the effort and time you have put into this class. . . You have been very kind and patient . . . and have made a huge difference in my mental and emotional health."
Angy M.
"Thank you again for everything you have done this past semester. I’ve immensely enjoyed your class and appreciate your continued passion to encourage students to critically think, which is something I have not encountered in a long time. I regret not being able to meet with you personally during your office hours, as it was one of my goals as a new student back in college to communicate more. (I’m shy). But I truly am thankful for the opportunity of being your student."
Alfonso S.
"I just wanted to say thank you so much. I have truly learned so much. I appreciate your views and understanding for others regardless of who they are. Thank you for opening my eyes and allowing me to have a safe space to share.”
Anthony D.
"I just wanted to let you know how thankful I am for you as a human being and for your dedication. Opening up to you was a liberating experience for me and I truly believe if I was not working with you I never would have confronted those feelings so I thank you for allowing me to feel safe and comfortable enough to do that. “
Hannah R.
"I am very sorry to hear about your early retirement. I was hoping to take more of your classes. But I am grateful to have had this semester with you. I wanted to let you know that you have been extremely inspiring to me. The way you carry yourself conveys great confidence and the nurturing environment you create in your classroom is deeply appreciated.Furthermore, the pieces you chose for us to read have struck my heartstrings. Especially the piece we first read by Audre Lorde. It sparked the growth and self-exploration I have undergone the past few months and has helped me accept myself. So thank you."
Katie H.
"I’d like to express my gratitude towards you for being such a great professor. I found your questions and feedback thought provoking and I felt very respected in your class. I also enjoyed the complexities of all the readings you chose.”
Juan C.
"I have never thought of myself as a writer, let alone enjoy the writing process before. You have opened my eyes to the power and beauty the act of putting pen to paper really has. All the feelings and emotions become real and physical. The ideas now become permanent. Likewise, the novels you selected resonated with me. Each novel in some way ignited this desire, passion inside of me that I did not know existed. They forced me to critically examine my place, my purpose in the world and question society in its current state. The writing and novels granted me a new form of expression that I did not know I needed in my life. It afforded me a release, an escape. A way to express my thoughts and feelings about the world and society that I do not always want to be vocal about."
Jennifer G.
"Thank you for assigning Audre Lorde’s “The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action.” I immediately related to some of her struggles. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community in two ways, as well as a person of color, it was not hard to immediately find myself nodding furiously along when I read and re-read the story several times. I have never read a story by a queer writer and actually have the fact that she is queer acknowledged, and it was that moment where I knew I would love this experience."
Laura M.
"I had a really great time in your class and I just want to thank you for your time and effort to not only make this class successful through the pandemic, but also for leaving such an impression on me. I have to say, by far, that I have never been able to read and write about works that actually impacted and moved me before . . I had a blast reading and writing about all the works you gave us and again I just want to thank you, this is truly a class that I will never forget!”
Gracie V.
"I love that everyone had a chance to write their hearts out, that we could be so transparent and vocal."
Michael N.
"Thank you for everything. I genuinely appreciate everything you did. I always loved our deep discussions; I truly feel as though it helped me. You have such a bright energy."
Elizabeth R.
"I want to start off by thanking you for such a beautiful and informative class. I sincerely enjoyed all of the great pieces of literature I was able to work with this semester. Although in-class was cut short due to this pandemic I am grateful to have had the opportunity to sit in your in-person lectures prior."
Robin R.