HONORS PROGRAM
Lynch Takes Helm of MTS Honors Program
K
Wood, Provost Deer, Assistant
atherine “Katie” Lynch,
Coordinator Hannah Lowney,
PhD, wears many hats
the mentors and the Honors
at RCC, including
faculty.”
Instructor of English and
An authority on early
chair of various programs. As
medieval English literature,
the new Coordinator of the
Dr. Lynch’s enthusiasm for her
Sam Draper Mentor/Talented
work is readily discernible in
Students Honors Program, she
the compassionate approach
takes the reins of the College’s
she brings to teaching. Upon
widely acclaimed program,
her
recommendation,
Ali
mindful of her central role
Rehman, a second-year MTS
and stimulated by its bracing
student, took a medieval
challenge.
history course during the MTS
Dr. Lynch is working closely
summer program at Cambridge
with MTS mentors and faculty
University in England.
to chart a roadmap for the
“I never had a professor who
program’s future. Options
cared so much about me,” said
under consideration include
Rehman, whose concentration
offering additional Honors
is in Mathematics. “She
degree programs and courses,
prepared me ahead of time; we
improving means of student
read works together and she
support, and increasing outreach
gave me a good overview.”
to the Rockland community.
Dr. Lynch believes her
Dr. Lynch earned a BA in
academic
background
has
English and History from
prepared her well for her
Dartmouth College and an MA
Dr. Katie Lynch, Coordinator, Sam Draper Mentor/Talented Students Honors Program
multiple roles at RCC. She
and PhD from the University of
cites a favorite quotation from
Wisconsin in Literary Studies.
E.M. Forster’s novel Howard’s
A full-time faculty member
End that encapsulates her
since 2010, she spent two years
philosophy on teaching: “Only
directing the Reading and
connect! … Only connect the
Writing Center, and since 2012
prose and the passion, and both
has served as Chair of English,
will be exalted, and human love
Philosophy
and
Religious
will be seen at its height.”
Studies. She has also chaired
—Ali Rehman
Her wide-ranging academic
the Faculty Senate’s College
interests include an emphasis
Curriculum Committee.
on LGBT issues and gender
“I am committed to finding
studies.
She taught “Gender
new and better ways to help
Roles in Literature” for several semesters, relishing the chance to
our students meet their academic goals, and to continually improving
discuss with students “the ways in which literature holds up a mirror
the caliber of the Honors program,” said Dr. Lynch. “I am grateful
to society’s norms about gender and sexuality.”
to the wonderful team supporting our students, includin