What was your MALS thesis topic?

Spaghetti Westerns and the Cold War.

 Has your MALS thesis research proven applicable to your current doctoral studies?

Not really since I’m working now with British literature in the Victorian period. All writing is good practice, though. Even if it isn’t your best work, you still learn something from the experience.

 Did you originally see the MALS degree as a stepping stone to your next degree program?

Not when I first started. I initially thought it would be useful for developing a career in librarianship. Once I got into the classes, though, I realized I wanted to go on for a PhD.

 What drew you to the program at the University of Florida?

I applied to Florida because they offered a generous fellowship in Victorian studies. I got accepted to Florida and Ohio State. I chose Florida for three reasons: a) the money b) change of location c) the openness of their curriculum.

 How do you like living in Gainesville?

It’s ok. It’s a small town so there isn’t very much to do. The campus is pretty, though, and it’s much warmer and sunnier than Michigan.

 How and when did you decide to pursue a PhD in English?

Professor Cole’s courses got me interested in Victorian literature. She provided me a great deal of encouragement and support throughout the program. I think the pivotal experience, though, was when I presented a paper I wrote for one of her courses at the British Association for Victorian Studies. This is something I would never have done without her guidance. That experience really confirmed to me that I wanted to pursue the PhD in English.

 Tell us about your program?

It’s a strong program with a great deal of openness and flexibility. I really enjoyed my course on Victorian masculinities last semester.

 Next semester I’m taking a course on the “woman question” in late Victorian England and a course on comics and animation from a Blake scholar.

 What is your current research topic?

I just finished a seminar paper on representations of “primitive” masculinity in some of Paul Gauguin’s paintings and writings.

 I’m not sure about my dissertation topic yet, but I might like to do more with gender studies in the Victorian period.

 Has the interdisciplinary education of your MALS degree influenced your course work? If, so please explain the benefit?

Definitely. For instance, last semester I wrote a paper on a French Impressionist painter in a course on British Victorian literature! I definitely like incorporating elements of the visual with the literary. I also like drawing together ideas from seemingly disparate thinkers, like philosophers, writers and painters.

 Are you currently working? If so, what are you doing?

Part of my fellowship requires me to teach two semesters in my first and third year of the program. Last semester I taught “Introduction to Argument and Persuasion”, basically an introductory composition course. Next semester I’m leading a discussion section of a course on multiculturalism in America.

If there is a piece of advice that you could pass on to current and incoming MALS students, what would it be?

Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. As a MALS student, I managed to travel, give public presentations and readings, work on several newsletters and publications and prepare for entrance to a doctorate degree. It’s a very versatile program and the more you do, the more it works for you.■