BA in English

Emma Shaw, 2025

Major: BA in English, minor philosophy for social change 

Hometown: Hermon, ME 

Plans after graduation: Shaw hopes to fall in her father’s footsteps and wants to serve as a union president for a labor organization. “As long as I can serve to improve the lives of working-class people in my community, I will be happy.”  

Most impactful course: ENG 371: Global TV with Associate Professor Hatim El-Hibri. “As an Army veteran from a rural area, my overseas service sparked a deep fascination with international cultures. Professor El-Hibri's course did not just build on that foundation; it fundamentally expanded my understanding of media's influence on a global scale. He was the first to recognize my intellectual potential, consistently supporting my interests and treating me as a professional colleague.”  

Impactful trip: Shaw ventured on a study abroad trip to Germany and Poland in June 2025. Professor Jones' mentorship led her to join the study abroad trip to Germany and Poland in June of 2025. The group visited Holocaust memorials and key historical sites in Europe. “We reflected not just on the profound loss of life during World War II, but how the quiet creep of authoritarianism threatens all walks of life,” she said. “The unique group chemistry was palpable and necessary and would be impossible to replicate. Our experiences abroad are inextricably linked to my education.”