HUMANITIES SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT | Dominika Mcgurk
The Humanities Scholars program is an exclusive first-year experience providing an immersive atmosphere where students, faculty, and staff collaborate over shared interests, academic research, and community involvement.
Dominika McGurk
Major(s): Communication, Spanish
Research: Making HIPS (High Impact Practices) Accessible to Underrepresented Communities
Q: During the first semester, how did learning about the College of Humanities and its disciplines help you frame your academic interests?
A: During my first semester, the Humanities Scholars allowed me to become familiar with various fields of study in the College of Humanities. This has impacted my academic interests because it helped me realize how all these different disciplines within humanities are interconnected and shape one another.
Q: How has being part of the Humanities Scholars program impacted your time at the university?
A: Being part of the Humanities Scholar's program has significantly impacted my involvement within the university. Going to class and partaking in the academic conversations that follow has allowed me to meet and engage with my peers, my professor, faculty mentors, and guest speakers.
Q: What is one of the most impactful lessons or experiences you had during your time as a Humanities Scholar?
A: Some of the most impactful experiences I've had throughout my time in the Humanities Scholars tend to occur on our weekly catch-up sessions when we share with the class how we are doing. Occasionally it can vary depending on where we are both academically or personally, what we have done or what we will do. These conversations tend to evolve as they build up with everyone contributing to it. Topics often shift and they vary every week. Regardless, they can always be tied back through that simple question which initiates it. Reflecting on this experience, what makes this impactful is that we tend to turn the conversation into a bigger picture through the scope of humanities.
Q: Can you describe how the program's faculty mentors have contributed or influenced your college experience? How did they support your efforts?
A: Having the faculty mentors come into class to meet with their assigned peers is what I’ve been looking forward to! Since I’ve been in contact with my mentor, Aniello De Santo, I have been grateful for their time as my research project continues to further develop and expand its scopes through their support.
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