Professors…They’re Real People Too
This week for Vanderbilt Visions, the freshman orientation program, my group went to an event called Talking Heads at Dean Wcislo’s House. The ‘talking heads’ were three of the Faculty Heads of Houses of the Commons. This installment of the Talking Heads series featured Chalene Helmuth, of Sutherland House, and Tony Brown and Chase Lesane-Brown, of Hank Ingram House.
The topic of discussion was their pasts, ie from how they got from being college freshman like us to where they are today. All three professors had extremely different paths stemming from different upbringings and interests. Dr. Helmuth, for example, moved the United States at the age of 17, but stays connected to her homeland of Costa Rica through her vigorous studies of Spanish literature. Dr. Brown, who is African-American, however, did not necessarily leave his comfort zone until graduate school as he earned his undergraduate degree from a historically African-American college and studied sociology and race. All, however, did share a few things in common.
All three professors admit to feeling lost as college freshman. Coincidentally, they all entered college on the pre-med track, but dropped it within the first year. None of them knew exactly what they wanted to do, but all three said that eventually something ‘just clicked.’
The professors also admitted to making a few mistakes along the way. Professor Lesane-Brown shared the story of when she failed her test. She said that she had never felt worse, but quickly sought assistance from family, friends, and even her intimidating professor. Eventually, everything worked out for her, and I suppose that everything will work out for us as well.
Interacting with these professors outside the academic setting reinforces the true vision of the Commons. These professors care about our well-beings as students. They have also experienced things extremely similar to what we are experiencing now. The Heads of Houses are great resources for us.
– Erica Graff