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Ann Hostetler Professor of English BA, Studio Art, Kenyon College, 1976 MA, English, The Pennsylvania State University, 1982 PhD, English, University of Pennsylvania, 1996

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Many things—an actress, an opera singer, a nurse, a pioneer, a prophet, an artist, a writer

Why or how did you choose this field?

I came to the field of English and the work of a professor through a long and winding journey, although my love of writing and reading began very early. My favorite college professor was the teacher of my British Literature Survey course, and I felt my world expanding as I listened to his lectures and followed up on books he recommended for further reading. He really inspired me to consider English later when I was looking at graduate school. But first I majored in studio art. That’s a whole other story.

What’s exciting about your job or this field?

I love the ongoing creativity and opportunity for lifelong learning. It’s a joy to interact with students who are opening their minds to new ideas. The older I get, the more I learn from them. Plus, I get paid to read, think about, and talk about books and ideas with people who are interested. It doesn’t get much better than this!

What has been a struggle in your career journey?

For me the hardest part is balancing my teaching and research as a scholar with my writing and reading as a poet and a creative artist; the next layer of challenge is to balance all of those solitary and professional activities with my commitments as a mother and partner in a relationship; and then the next layer of balance is to stay whole and centered and spiritually connected while being involved in so many activities that demand passion and presence and excellence.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

When my kids were small and I was overwhelmed, my mother told me: “The most important thing is that YOU survive.” I took this as permission to “put on my own oxygen mask” first and to do the self-care I really need to equip myself to carry on and do the work of helping others.

What are you really proud of?

I’m really proud of the anthology I edited, “A Cappella: Mennonite Voices in Poetry.” And I’m really proud of my amazing kids and husband. I’m proud of a couple of articles I’ve written and of some courses I’ve taught and designed that seemed to come out “just right.” And I’m really proud of some of my students who have gone on to find the work they love. I’m a little uncomfortable with the term “proud,” though. It seems to invite a fall from grace. I’d rather say I’m amazed and grateful and humbled to have been a part of this work or these peoples’ lives.

What advice would you give to a young person just starting out?

Find what you love and do it.

What would you do differently?

I would relax a bit more and have faith that things would work out. I would put more faith in my dreams and worry a bit less about what other people think about what I “should” do.