Mentor and friend in Dr. Quinn, Ph.D

By Alyssa Tomasello

Compassionate, vivacious and genuine are three words to describe English and women and gender studies professor Dr. Roseanne Giannini Quinn. Ask any student who has come in contact with her and one will respond with the utmost praises. In fact, Giannini Quinn is known around campus as one of the best professors at Santa Clara.

This may be due to her unprecedented ability to connect with her students coupled with the exuberance and energy that is present in each of her class sessions.

"Quinn has been an inspiration," said senior Maxine Goynes who has taken Giannini Quinn's class. "Her ability to connect with her students as a teacher and friend is unlike any experience I have felt with a professor."

One of the most common things that previous and current students have to say about Giannini Quinn is that not only does she care about her students, but she presents herself in a manner that the students can relate to, basically described as "real."

"Dr. Quinn is the best professor I've had the honor of studying under," junior Lauren Lopez said. "She really has a genuine interest in her students. She makes me actually want to do my homework and always chooses the best books. Plus she has an awesome sense of humor. I take every single opportunity I get to be in one of her classes."

Raised in Millbrae, California, this San Francisco native has lived in the Bay Area for the majority of her life. Giannini Quinn ventured north and attended UC Davis where she received a bachelor's degree in English with minors in sociology and comparative literature.

During her undergraduate years at UC Davis, Giannini Quinn was very active on campus. She was a student athlete in college, playing for the field hockey team. Her experiences as a student athlete have influenced her interactions with the various student athletes that she comes in contact with at Santa Clara. Because of her own personal experiences, Giannini Quinn said she enjoys mentoring student athletes in her various classes, providing support and guidance.

After graduating from UC Davis, Giannini Quinn traveled across the ocean to Sussex University in England where she received her master's in English. Following her tour in England, Giannini Quinn returned to America and studied at the University of Iowa where she received her Ph.D.

One of her main reasons for attending the University of Iowa was its affiliation with the Iowa Writer's Workshop. Her experiences throughout college and at these universities have deeply influenced her life. In fact, Giannini Quinn first became interested in ethnic and gender studies during her time at UC Davis. She was heavily influenced by Second Wave Feminism in the 1970s and this interest was furthered after attending her first gender studies class at UC Davis taught by Ruth Rosen. This interest was ignited, and Giannini Quinn followed up by attending a graduate seminar at Stanford University, which was taught by Adrienne Rich. Both

Rosen and Rich played a great role in influencing Giannini Quinn's interests. Her experiences from these two professors have fueled her interest in both women and ethnic studies programs, especially her connection the women and gender studies program at Santa Clara.

Last June, Giannini Quinn was given the Sisterhood is Powerful Award by the women's and gender studies program, in honor of her important contributions to the status of women at Santa Clara.

Giannini Quinn wholeheartedly immerses herself in her courses and strives to educate her students beyond an academic basis. Rather, Giannini Quinn's courses call each student to grow on multiple levels and further shape and mold the students into educated beings.

"I've always felt teaching was a vocation, and I felt that teaching writing and literature was a way to broaden students' awareness of issues of social justice," said Giannini Quinn.

Giannini Quinn has been teaching at Santa Clara for the past eight years. Prior to coming to Santa Clara, Giannini Quinn taught in the English department at St. Mary's College in Moraga for six years. Her decision to come to Santa Clara was easy for her.

"I always respected the Jesuit tradition and mission," she said. "Also, I am a long time admirer of St. Claire of Assisi who worked to help the underprivileged in Italy and is a very important female figure in Catholicism."

Moreover, Giannini Quinn's close relationship with her mother played a vital role in her choice to venture to Santa Clara. Her mother was a proud supporter of the university and she valued all that Santa Clara has to offer. One of the aspects of Santa Clara that is very important to Giannini Quinn is the thriving Italian American student population. Because her own Italian heritage is very dear to her, the prevalence of Italian culture throughout the university has enhanced her experience at Santa Clara. Additionally, this passion for culture has extended over into her career.

In addition to being a professor, Giannini Quinn has many facets and interest. She is also an author. Giannini Quinn specializes in creative nonfiction writing mixed in with critical research. One of her fortes is her ability to combine memoir with literary criticism. Her work especially features U.S. ethnic cultures, ranging from studies on Italian American, African American and Latino American cultures. Much of Giannini Quinn's work is published in numerous journals.

Also, when Giannini Quinn is not teaching or writing, she enjoys playing basketball at the YMCA in Palo Alto. Not surprisingly, she is one of the only female members in the gym.

Giannini Quinn's interest and passion in both education and social justice issues correspond to the core of the Jesuit tradition at Santa Clara.

Students believe her unmatched ability to connect with university students sets her apart.

"I have taken several courses from Quinn," said junior Erin Schulz. "She is so awesome. No matter what your major is, you would be lucky to take a course from her. I encourage everyone to experience Dr. Quinn's teaching at least once during their stay at Santa Clara."

Many say, after taking a course from Dr. Giannini Quinn, a student will walk away not only with course knowledge but also with a mentor and friend.

Contact Alyssa Tomasello at atomasello@scu.edu or at (408) 554-1918.