Graduate Alumni Reflections

Washington University Classics graduate students and alumni speak about the department’s training, community, special opportunities, and support for career planning:

“The MA program at WashU was perfect for someone like me: I had just graduated from college with a Classics degree and was interested in learning more, but I was unsure if I wanted to commit to a PhD program and potential academic career. During my two years in St. Louis, I worked on improving my languages, taking my research skills to a more advanced level, and learning the tools of the trade for the discipline: which online databases to use when, for example, or how to critically digest a scholarly article. Although it only took a few months for me to decide to pursue academia, my two years at WashU proved valuable over the course of my PhD and on the job market this past year. In particular, the depth and variety of teaching experience I got as a TA in four different courses was a boon to my CV and, more importantly, to my development and confidence as a scholar.”

BA Brown University 2014; MA Washington University 2016 (Thesis: “Catullan Obscenity and Modern English Translation”); PhD Duke University 2022 (Dissertation: “Violent by Nature: Danger and Darkness in the Pastoral World”); 2022-24: Postdoctoral Fellow, Boston University Society of Fellows

MA students and alumni:

“In the long term, improving my language skills will help me carve out a niche in the field and be competitive on the job market, whether applying for high-school teaching jobs or going on to a PhD program and eventually applying for tenure-track positions, as I plan to do. I am very thankful to the Classics Department for always supporting me in my passions and plans.”

“As I reflect on my two years at WashU, my predominant emotion is gratitude … I’m feeling truly prepared (and so excited!) to start my PhD this fall.”

“Wherever I end up, I know the education WashU Classics provided me will be indispensable. I can confidently say the last two years were among the best of my life, and I’m so grateful to have been part of such a fantastic and supportive community.”

Spotlight: Joshua Zacks

BA Washington and Lee University 2013; MA Washington University 2015; PhD University of Washington 2022 (Dissertation: “Agonistic Intertextuality: Studies in Pindar and Bacchylides”); 2022-24 Visiting Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University

“Classics at WashU gave me the tools to get to my dream PhD program. The department at Wash. U helped me take my very first steps in reading and writing independently. Before I came to St. Louis, I knew I wanted to read more Greek Drama, but had little else mapped out clearly. My teachers at Wash U helped me formulate research topics, dig deeper into Greek and Latin texts, and most importantly: they gave me the tools to explain why I wanted to keep reading ancient Greek and Latin. Perhaps the most formative experience during the MA was a suggestion by Prof. Bubelis to attend the American School of Classical Studies at Athens’ Summer Session. Once I learned that Classics meant that I could travel to the Mediterranean, I knew I wanted to continue exploring any and all career-paths related to Classics.”

PhD students and alumni:

“Being a PhD student is a constant challenge, but one that has led to an enormous personal and academic growth. I am extremely grateful for all the support I received from my professors and my classmates.”

“I was delighted to attend SCS 2024 in Chicago this year as my first ever in-person Classics conference. One of the great standouts of my time at the conference were the many productive panels, roundtables, and discussions about digital endeavors in Classics … it was valuable for me to connect with so many other scholars.”

“I jumped at the opportunity to teach high school students in WashU’s Summer Pre-College Program because I love outreach and it was a chance to design my very own course … I am especially thankful to the department for letting me teach an expanded version of this very course as a First-Year seminar.”

“In my new job as a Senior Associate Dean, I lead the strategy for my school, advise the dean, run business development, oversee multiple units, and, when I can, evangelize for the humanities … No matter my role, I’m grateful to be a classicist. I consider there to be no finer training and I will always be grateful for the time I have spent with our extraordinary faculty.”

“Since earning my PhD, I am working in graduate student affairs … focusing on mentoring initiatives and international student support. It has been incredibly rewarding so far to support grad students in this capacity. I'm enjoying learning a new field while staying plugged into Classics.”