To Nina Reid-Maroney, it is important to be able to draw connections between our past and present; this is precisely what she aims to do in her classes. "I think the most exciting topics in history are the ones that resonate now," she says. "The election of Barack Obama brings the 18th century to life; big questions from the past are so relevant today."
She is dedicated to creating an active learning environment for her students. "I value what students can bring into the course and we are actually engaged in the work together." And it pays off. "I think what we see developing in students is a critical habit of mind--they develop discernment and judgment, which are associated with democracy, citizenship, and just being a thoughtful person."
Reid-Maroney says that Huron is an ideal environment to study history and the liberal arts in general. "I think that if students are really interested in taking the Huron mission seriously--start here, go anywhere--there's something important about doing it in this context where the liberal arts are valued," she says. "Liberal arts are often on the periphery of other institutions; at Huron, when you're in liberal arts you understand that you're in the center of the college."
And the most important reason to study history according to Reid-Maroney? "It creates empathy."
