Undergraduate Janna Tobin is currently majoring in history and political science. Last year, she was chosen to receive the Friends of History scholarship out of 45 applicants. We caught up with Tobin to see how the scholarship has impacted her academic career.
Q: What has winning this award has meant to you?
A: Personally, I always found history important. Growing up, a lot of people put emphasis on STEM and business fields. I always wanted to pursue history, but it was not exactly seen as viable. To receive this award feels validating, like the hard work I putting into my major is worth it.
Q: What lead you to study history at SHPRS?
A: I went to school in the Phoenix area. I had a great experience with a lot of awesome history teachers that were there. I was able to study abroad with our high school history department and that kind of hiked up my experience. So, I always wanted to come to ASU. It was never a question for me.
As for history, I like looking at the big picture things and seeing people’s individual story. I think people forget how much the past affects the present. I see that a lot because I study Political Science too
Q: Throughout your time at SHPRS have there been any classes or professors that have had an impact on you?
A: One of the first classes that I really got into was comparative history class about World War II and it was taught by Professor Benkert & Professor Moore. It really was interesting because I have always been interested in European history and the World Wars and this class brought a new perspective. Especially, how ordinary people were involved in it, not just the higher ranking people - the experiences of individuals and how the individual lives were changed during the war.
Q: What have you done with the scholarship or what do you plan on doing?
A: I am using the scholarship to study abroad this summer. That will be a great experience that I am getting solely because of this scholarship.
Q: What will the study abroad program entail?
A: It is a seven-week program. During the first three weeks, we take classes at the University of Ghana. And for the last four weeks, we get an internship based on our political science interest.
Q: What do you plan on doing with your degree once you have graduated?
A: I am not quite sure yet. I never really considered going to graduate school, because no one in my family had never done so, but I may look into that. Winning the scholarship has made me interested that I can pursue history in another level of education, besides just a bachelor’s degree.