The Student-to-Professor Perspective

Ryan Stevens '21, pictured at his alma mater -- and now employer. Credit: Ryan Stevens, Carlo de Jesus

Always having a natural craving to learn more, former valedictorian Ryan Stevens ‘21 returns to Marist College as an adjunct professor, teaching the history course “America Since 1945.”

Stevens always had a curiosity for history and developed a connection with the history department at Marist.

“My classes in the history department were a huge highlight for me,” said Stevens.

After finishing his master's degree at New York University, Stevens knew becoming a professor was his next step.

“I was really looking to step into a teaching experience to see if I wanted this to be my full-time career path,” he said. “I was looking at different adjunct positions that were open and felt I might as well reach out to the history program at Marist.”

For Stevens, returning to Marist and having an established relationship with professors combined well with his fresh perspective in the classroom. His first semester helped build his confidence as a teacher. He also finds he has a more sympathetic understanding of the students, having been in their shoes recently.

And that perspective is significant not only for Stevens but for his students as well.

“I am very thankful for all the classes I get to teach, and I am very thankful for all of my students for all the hard work they are putting into my class,” said Stevens. “As much as I hope they are learning from my class, I am really also learning a lot from them.”