Student Voices on American Studies

Many students have graduated Tufts with an American Studies degree and gone on to achieve personal success, sometimes in unexpected fields. Here, a few alumni share their thoughts on the lasting impact that American Studies has had upon their lives.

"With a double major in English and American Studies, I got a broad liberal arts and writing background that has helped my career enormously. I focused on journalism in graduate school at Columbia and worked at small newspapers all over the U.S. to hone my skills. I often wish I could go back to some of the same classes I attended so many years ago. I'd be far more attentive, now that I realize how useful some of that knowledge is."
- Liz Wilson, 1982

"The AS major, and faculty members, enhanced my critical thinking skills, encouraged me to think about issues more broadly, and from many angles -- "across disciplines." I also learned to work and write collaboratively, and thrive in groups, which has proved essential in the work world, and in our communities."
- Virginia Sullivan Bowditch, 1990

"American Studies has helped me in life beyond Tufts in the most basic of ways. AS taught me to think. To think broadly. To think holistically. To think creatively. To think AND to keep learning... I will always remember my first AS class because the faculty not only taught me their subjects of expertise, but also showed me how to be a lifelong learner..."
- Sarah Cunningham, 1990

"I developed a desire to learn as much as possible about a variety of topics, while also becoming better able to comprehend differing viewpoints with an objective eye."
- Sharon Hughes Kunkel, 1991

"I cannot sing the praises of this degree enough! American Studies really helped to prepare me for working across disciplines to develop comprehensive evidence-based programs to improve health and well-being. Every position that I have held in my professional life has required that I was able to seamlessly integrate disciplines in order to assess, plan, implement, and monitor programs and initiatives... My work in public health is inherently multidisciplinary, and I think that I have/had an advantage because I already understood how to synthesize information from different fields."
- Rachael Fulp, 1993

"I think what has stuck with me the most from my time at Tufts is an incredible variety of ways to see and understand the world."
- Ryan Pace, 1994

"My American Studies degree has helped me think and plan critically in my professional life. It has helped me analyze the world around me and find meaningful ways of applying my skills, talents, and interests in ways that support me and contribute back to my community."
- Adriane Thornton Blackman, 1999

"...I felt my first four years at Tufts not only earned me a college degree to mark my academic achievements, but also helped me build a strong sense of who I was... and reaffirmed and further motivated my passions for issues of social justice, community organizing, and education."

- Mai Du, 1999

"American Studies continues to play a role in my life even if it isn't evident on a daily basis. I have gained a great network of peers and professors, and a lifetime of skills."
- Bethany Schlegel, 2002

"American Studies allows students to gain a vast knowledge base while focusing on specific and original interests. Within the framework of American society, the student's individual passions, experiences, and ideas may be explored such that the academic experience reflects that of the 'real world.' This formula has been invaluable to my post-graduate life, contributing to the success, investment, and sense of place I feel at my current job."
- Erin Pizzonia, 2005