Student Voices: What Classroom Experience Impacted You Most?
Eastern Michigan University offers students courses with countless opportunities to discover a new passion, perspective or purpose. Midway through the Winter 2026 semester, we invited students to reflect on a classroom experience that truly moved them. Their stories reveal the powerful ways EMU’s instructors are shaping minds, sparking curiosity, and making a lasting difference far beyond the classroom.
“I took a Philosophy of Mind class during the Fall 2025 semester with Professor of Philosophy John Koolage. This class changed how I think about the ways we study the mind and how we approach bigger questions like: ‘What’s evidence for mental disease when we don’t really know what the mind is?’ We also explored the logical jumps that are made to come up with certain diagnoses, which I could apply to my studies in social epistemology and education. This class helped me think about how minds interact as communities with each other.”
Priya Ghotane, junior
Philosophy and Psychology, Ypsilanti
“The course that impacted me most was the Intro to Psychology class I took during my freshman year, taught by Lecturer Pamela Landau before she retired. It was centered on not just the basics of mental health, but also the roles individuals play in researching, treating and continuing the conversation about its complexity. I continually look back on this class as the starting point of my love for the field of psychology as I continue toward graduate studies.”
Isabella Cafini, senior
Psychology, Dearborn Heights
“A course that impacted my perspective of the world was LGBTQ+ History, which I took during the Fall 2025 semester with Professor of History Mary-Elizabeth Murphy. As a queer person of color, I am used to learning about history that omits the work of my communities. However, Professor Murphy does an excellent job covering historical silences and honoring the voices and experiences of those whom history often forgets about.”
Jade Traska, senior
Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies; North Ridgeville, Ohio
“I thoroughly enjoyed the Introduction to Econometrics class I took during the Winter 2025 semester. Assistant Professor of Economics Jenni Putz did a fantastic job introducing us to RStudio, an IDE [Integrated Development Environment] which is used to conduct econometric research on a variety of data structures. The class truly inspired my research journey and has provided me with many opportunities to contribute new knowledge to the EMU community and the field of Economics.”
Marius Martello, senior
Actuarial Science and Economics, Lake Orion
“During my first semester in the fall of 2025, I took a Contemporary Art history class with Associate Professor of Art History Brendan Fay. Even though I’m a junior, I’m new to Eastern, so having him as a professor was very nice and grounding. I knew that he was someone I could always go to if I needed help. The course itself was incredibly eye-opening. I’m very happy I took that class with Professor Fay, it made me feel like, ‘Okay, I’m good here at Eastern. I can make it.’”
Emma Watson, junior
Fine Art, Petoskey
“During the Summer 2025 semester I took an Entomology class at Fish Lake in Lapeer, Michigan. It was taught by Lecturer of Biology Ashley Wilson and was amazing both in structure and environment. We fully immersed ourselves in catching and identifying insects for three weekends, which I found thoroughly engaging. By the end of the course, I had caught upwards of 50 insects, as well as a love for adventure.”
Declan Westphal, junior
Social Work, Ypsilanti
“I took Drama and Play in Human Experience during my first semester in the fall of 2022, taught by Lecturer Jennifer Felts. What began as an elective quickly became a deeply meaningful experience, as the course created a space filled with laughter, creativity and mutual respect. It strengthened my confidence and empathy, reminding me that growth happens when we allow ourselves to be fully present, vulnerable and open to connection.”
Stuti Goel, senior
Neuroscience Interdisciplinary; Delhi, India
Author Ellie Johnsen is a sophomore from Oswego, Ill., majoring in Philosophy with a double minor in Creative Writing and Art. She is interning with the Marketing/Integrated Content team in the Division of Communications.