Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) celebrates the selection of Natasha Whitton,
Ph.D., Associate Professor of English and Humanities, as a Faculty Fellow by The Great
Questions Foundation (TGQF). Among an elite group of 10 educators selected nationwide,
Dr. Whitton's fellowship underscores her commitment to enriching general education
with vibrant, text-based discussions designed to foster critical thinking and dialogue
across the nation's community colleges.
“When students join me at the start of a new semester in a survey of world history, they often express concerns about how the course will relate to their current or future workplaces. Why does a nurse need to know about the Roman Empire? Why would a welder want to read the Epic of Gilgamesh? When we get to the great questions, though – “Who am I?” “What is justice?” “What is the good life?” – they always have plenty to say, and the empathy and observational skills that they bring to these discussions are invaluable. With anxiety and depression on the rise, these questions are increasingly important to answer, and I am so grateful for this opportunity,” said BRCC Associate Professor of English and Humanities, Dr. Natasha Whitton.
The TGQF champions a liberal arts education through active learning and mentorship, supporting faculty in transforming classroom experiences. The fellowship culminates in a shared vision among the fellows to reimagine general education as a cornerstone of liberal arts at community colleges everywhere.
“Dr. Whitton is a genuine polymath with a passion for learning and teaching, rooted in the conviction that a liberal arts ethos forms the foundation for all fields of study and professions. She endeavors to cultivate a similar humanist spirit in every student,” said Rhett Poche, BRCC Dean of Liberal Arts.
Dr. Whitton has taught at BRCC for three years. Earlier this year, she completed the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she participated in explore place-based and archival approaches to the life works of American novelist Willa Cather. She also was a member of the Baton Rouge Alliance for Students' Changemakers class of 2022-23.