St. Lawrence recently hired seven new tenure-track faculty, and six visiting faculty for the 2020-2021 school year. 

According to St. Lawrence University’s website, the tenure-track faculty were hired in a variety of departments including Sociology, Government, Psychology, Economics, Public Health, Physics and Music. 

Alanna Gillis was hired as an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department. 

Her previous work experience includes time at the Annunciation House, a shelter on the United States-Mexico border for immigrants and refugees. After that, she received her PhD in Sociology at UNC-Chapel Hill. 

“I love connecting with students in the classroom, in research projects, and in informal conversations and SLU seemed to provide wonderful opportunities for those connections with such an engaged student body,” Gillis said about her interest in working at St. Lawrence. 

She said she got a good first impression from when she came to do her teaching demo as part of her interview process. 

“Despite the fact that I was a stranger teaching a class period at 8:30 am, covering information that would not be on any kind of test for the students, the SLU students were still excited to learn,” said Gillis, “I was instantly convinced I wanted to work here!”

Starting at a new university amidst the COVID-19 pandemic is no easy feat, but Gillis said she was blown away by the welcoming St. Lawrence community. 

“While of course this semester is incredibly stressful for everyone, myself included, I am excited to be part of a university that is continuing to thrive intellectually and interpersonally,” said Gillis. 

She also said she has been enjoying the North Country’s outdoors. She said her favorite memory was when she ran into several SLU students at the top of Mt. Arab during a sunrise hike. 

Another professor hired on the tenure-track was Precious Hall, Assistant Professor of Government. 

Dr. Hall said she chose to work at St. Lawrence because she wanted to get back to a liberal arts environment. 

“I am a product of a liberal arts education and I really thrive in this environment with the interplay and interaction between other professors and students,” said Hall,  “ I also wanted to be in an environment that nurtures my research activities and aspirations.” 

Hall previously taught at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada and said her transition to the North Country has gone smoothly. 

“Everyone has been nice and welcoming and again it makes me look forward to the return to ‘normal’ so that I can get out more into the community and truly explore all that the North Country has to offer me and my family,” said Hall. 

St. Lawrence also welcomed several visiting faculty and scholars. 

Gabrielle Clover was hired as an adjunct professor in the First Year Program, and is also a SLU alumni (class of ‘11). 

“I love St. Lawrence,” said Clover, “I have since I first visited campus in my own undergraduate search.”

Clover said she also loves the living-learning model of the First Year Program, and how it provides a unique experience for first years students to acclimate to college level work and encourages healthy bonding for students. 

“I didn’t anticipate my first semester teaching to be during COVID,” said Clover, “I am teaching virtually. This takes extra care and planning in striving to engage students who are already not experiencing their anticipated college experience.” 

Other visiting professors and scholars are working in a multitude of departments, including Computer Science, Performance and Communication Arts and English.