Eddy Troy Interview
Where did you live/work before coming to Western?
I did my PhD work in Southern California at the University of California, Riverside (2010-2017). After that, I moved to South Carolina and was a Senior Lecturer in the English Department at Clemson University, where I taught courses in film, writing, and literature.
What is your area of specialty?
Most of my work focuses on the intersections of film, philosophy, and literature. My training is largely in comparative literature, so my research interests are somewhat eclectic by design. For example, I am currently finalizing an article that explores the connections between existentialism and the work of Senegalese filmmaker Djibril Diop Mambéty. My larger book project similarly addresses philosophical approaches to transnational Francophone cinema.
What do you like so far about being at Western?
Working with students who genuinely care about what we’re reading and discussing in the classroom. This may seem like a small thing, but I think it’s part of what makes Western special.
What stirs joy within you outside of your work?
Cooking, the occasional game of pickup basketball—and, of course, my kids!
What is your secret “superpower”? Tell us something that others may not know about you.
I went to WWU for my undergraduate and master’s degrees. I was a first-gen student who worked through college. I like to think this gives me some insight into students’ experiences—though calling it a superpower is undoubtedly a stretch!
Jamie Rogers Interview
Where did you live/work before coming to Western?
Before coming to Western, I was a Visiting Assistant Professor and lecturer at Clemson University in South Carolina. Before that, I went to graduate school at the University of California, Irvine. And before THAT, I was actually here at Western. I had the great pleasure of receiving my masters in English Studies here, and I couldn’t be happier to be back.
What is your area of specialty?
My focus is on Black film, feminist studies, and cinemas of social justice. I am starting to work on a project involving geographies of cinema and race, so that is a new specialization I’m also moving into.
What do you like so far about being at Western?
I love the students here. Western students seem to have a genuine interest in learning and engaging with thought, while also not taking themselves too seriously, which is a lot of fun to be around. My colleagues here at Western are also wonderful — encouraging, challenging, smart, and like the students, fun to be around. And last, I love the beauty of the campus and the beauty of Whatcom County. I try to take advantage of all the outdoor opportunities as much as possible.
What stirs joy within you outside of your work?
Being outside! I love hiking, camping and gardening.
What is your secret “superpower”? Tell us something that others may not know about you.
I’m a really good listener when folks need someone to vent to, bounce ideas off, or get something off their chest. I don’t think I give particularly good advice, but I’m great at hearing you out!
Sean Golden Interview
Where did you live/work before coming to Western?
I grew up in Southern California on the Pacific Coast, in between Long Beach and Seal Beach. At 18 I moved to Southern Minnesota to play college tennis. Upon graduating some friends and I decided to explore Minneapolis a bit. That exploration lasted ten years! After 14 years in the midwest I needed to migrate back home to the west coast. I know the bay is technically not the ocean, but I’m excited to get to become familiar with this pocket of the Pacific.
What is your area of specialty?
My doctorate is in curriculum and instruction, specifically young adult literature and fugitive pedagogy. In the Studies of Young Adult Literature course my students and I dig into the social construction of the adolescent and the big life moments an young person encounters.
What do you like so far about being at Western?
Western is such a beautiful place! I think my favorite part is my walk to and from work through Connelly Creek! It is such a great space to reflect on the day to come and what has just passed.
What stirs joy within you outside of your work?
I am a descendant of travelers, and that gene to see and explore did not skip me. I love travelling, connecting and collaborating, and being present in new cultures. Urban hikes and mountain hikes thrill me. Sitting on a paddleboard in quiet water is so peaceful. Yoga in the morning and tennis at night is invigorating. (Honestly, I just like to be on the move, why sit still when there are playgrounds all over?)
What is your secret “superpower”? Tell us something that others may not know about you.
I always had an inkling about this superpower, but it was confirmed one summer at the Chakra Shack in Laguna Beach. I have an orange and green aura which means I’m a connector. Specifically with animals, especially with dogs; 9 out of 10 dogs want to be my best friend.
Melissa Guardrón Interview
Where did you live/work before coming to Western?
I’m originally from Upstate New York, but I spent the last six years in Ohio, studying and teaching at Ohio State University. I’ve also lived in South Korea, where I worked as an English teacher.
What is your area of specialty?
My area of specialty is rhetoric of health and medicine (RHM)–I combine rhetoric, technical and professional communication, and disability studies to study how humans navigate unpredictable health-related situations. Much of my work is site-based and community-oriented, and I’ve also begun exploring the use of AI in healthcare.
What do you like so far about being at Western?
I love the location. Ohio was so flat. It’s nice to be sandwiched between Bellingham Bay and the Sehome Hill Arboretum.
What stirs joy within you outside of your work?
I love recipe testing and being outdoors.
What is your secret “superpower”? Tell us something that others may not know about you.
I have a terrific memory for terrible songs but I can only recall the lyrics when the songs are playing.
Dennin Ellis Interview
Where did you live/work before coming to Western?
I lived in Columbus, OH for five years as I completed my Ph.D program at Ohio State University.
What is your area of specialty?
My area of specialty is literary theory, with an emphasis on critical theory, cultural studies, media studies, and narrative theory, but I’m one of those people who reads theory books for fun because I feel like a Pokémon player when it comes to theoretical approaches – gotta catch ’em all!
What do you like so far about being at Western?
I like the arboretum; getting to walk through the woods on my way to/from the classroom is a great way to zone in on whatever I’ll be teaching, and then decompress afterwards. I also like my students a lot, especially the English majors in the upper-level classes I’ve taught; they’re weird and goofy in the best way.
What stirs joy within you outside of your work?
I like to play guitar; I like to work in my garden; I like to spend time with my wife, dog and cat; I like to read (see above answer) and write.
What is your secret “superpower”? Tell us something that others may not know about you.
Some people might call me a ‘supercrip’ – a concept from disability studies suggesting that certain people with disabilities have some other ability to compensate for the disability. For me, the issues I encounter from being autistic (sensory issues, social difficulties) are ‘compensated for’ by my ability to work/concentrate for hours and hours on a single task, and my ability to cultivate encyclopedic knowledge on my special interests, whatever they happen to be (comics, rock music, theory). I’m not sure if this counts, but it’s also been great to identify and connect with my neurodivergent students and hopefully make them feel more comfortable in the classroom.