This year at Penn State McKeesport, there are an array of new faculty members, among which is Dr. MaryEllen Higgins.  I got the chance to talk to her and found out some things students may not know about her.

 The Collegian: First off, thank you for taking time out to talk to me.
Dr. Higgins: Oh, you’re welcome.  It’s no problem.

The Collegian: Being that you’re new to Penn State McKeesport, how do you like the campus so far?
Dr. Higgins:  So far, I have found the other faculty are very supportive, very wonderful to work with.  They are committed to the students.  The students are bright, curious, challenging, friendly.  So far, I love it.

 The Collegian: What course or courses do you teach here?
Dr. Higgins:  Literature and Empire class, English 015, and next semester I will teach about Franfortians, or, let me say, women writers who are from France and write in French.

 The Collegian: Can you briefly describe your educational background for me?
Dr. Higgins:  Why don’t we start with the most recent and go back?  I went to the University of Texas at Austin.  I also went to Friebourg in Switzerland, Avignon in France, and Providence College in Rhode Island.  I went to St. Bernard in Connecticut and also St. Michaels in Connecticut.  I have my PHD in comparative literature…you know literature in more than one language.  I have my Bachelor’s in English and Psychology.

 The Collegian: Have you taught anywhere else?
Dr. Higgins: I’ve taught at the University of Texas and I taught ESL in Japan for a while and Bosnian refugees in Canada for one year.

 The Collegian: Where did you grow up?
Dr. Higgins: Pawcatuck, Connecticut, which is on the Rhode Island border.  I’ve lived in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Texas, Pennsylvania, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Africa and Canada.

 The Collegian: And one final question, what kind of things do you like to do outside of your job?
Dr. Higgins: Skiing, travel, well actually travel should go first, dance, salsa dancing, photography, even though the pictures aren’t that great.

 The Collegian: Thank you once again for allowing me to talk to you.
Dr. Higgins: You’re welcome.  I love to talk.

 After sitting and talking to Dr. Higgins, I can understand why our campus hired her.  She is a woman with many interesting stories to tell, always happy, always energetic.  Even though she is new to the campus, it seems as if Penn State McKeesport will become a second home to her.