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"I also love the flexibility of my program that allows me to take classes in other departments. All the faculty members I've worked with have also been extremely knowledgeable, inspiring, and encouraging."
Tessa Perkins Deneault
Liberal Studies master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Along with being a master's student in Liberal Arts, I'm also an SFU staff member (Manager of Communications & Strategy, Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology) and alumnus (BA in English and French Literature, Certificate of Liberal Arts, Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Communication). I spend a lot of time watching live performance and writing about the arts for my website (www.tessaperkins.ca) and for magazines such as The Dance Current and Dance International. When I'm not busy with those things you'll find me dancing in ballet, modern and tap classes or trying a new vegan recipe. I grew up in Surrey and live there in downtown Cloverdale with my husband and our dog Luna.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?
SFU has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My Dad is an alumnus, and growing up I heard a lot about how great his experience was. I remember attending a 40th anniversary open house in 2005 and being really impressed, so I decided to do my undergrad at SFU, then I began working here. When I was looking into grad programs, I found GLS to be the most flexible for someone working full-time, and I know a few alumni of the program who rave about their experience.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?
GLS is very interdisciplinary and is a great combination of the humanities, literature, arts, and philosophy that provides a basis to critically think about universal human issues while being creative and learning alongside a diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds. Broadly speaking, I'm looking forward to pursuing research about postmodernism and the arts.
WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?
Reading widely and the freedom to make connections among many disciplines. I also love the flexibility of my program that allows me to take classes in other departments. All the faculty members I've worked with have also been extremely knowledgeable, inspiring, and encouraging.
Contact Tessa: tcp@sfu.ca