Ph.D. student DeeAnn Spicer has attended Writing Wednesdays with our Initiative for Minority Excellence—she says they’ve helped her feel like part of a community while in graduate school.
Where do you consider to be your hometown?
What is your degree program?
Ph.D. in philosophy
What motivates you?
It can be hard to stay motivated in a Ph.D. program which is largely self-directed, and you work in isolation. What motivates me is seeing my students learn new ideas and new ways to think about the world. I think about how I’m contributing to the body of knowledge that will be taught to future students, and how I want to be one of the professors who gets to teach them.
Why did you choose UNC-Chapel Hill?
One of the main reasons I chose UNC-Chapel Hill was that the philosophy department seemed like a congenial and welcoming community.
How have you built community at Carolina?
I’ve built a community by intentionally creating space for social engagements, whether that be one-on-one lunch dates or Writing Wednesdays with IME. Even writing alongside people who I don’t know can help me feel more like a part of a community.
Describe Diversity and Student Success in five words!
A fun, supportive and friendly community.